Building Clean Energy Communities

Unlock solar energy, bill savings, and home electrification with local nonprofit support.

What We Do

OC Goes Solar helps Orange County homeowners, businesses, non-profits, and local governments have access to affordable & equitable clean energy solutions — including solar, energy storage, EV charging, and home electrification.

For Homeowners

Solarize Program

A community group purchasing program offering discounts for solar, battery, and EV charger installations for residents.

For Multifamily Property Owners

SOMAH Program

The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program brings clean energy benefits to affordable housing residents and property owners.

For Everyone

Electrify Your Home

Guidance and incentives for upgrading to efficient electric appliances, heat pumps, EV-charging, and more.

Upcoming Events

Learn about solar energy, battery storage, EV home charging, home electrification, plus incentives and rebates through our free educational workshops and events.

Electrify Irvine Quail Hill Workshop

October 15 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Registration: https://bit.ly/irvineelectric Cut energy bills and make your home more comfortable with clean, efficient upgrades….

Who We Serve

As a nonprofit, we help homeowners, multifamily property owners, businesses, local governments, and community partners throughout Orange County to access affordable, clean energy solutions.

Homeowners

Save money and take control of your energy costs with rooftop solar and home battery storage.

Multifamily Property Owners/Managers

Reduce utility bills and power your properties with state incentivized solar solutions. See if you qualify.

Local Government

Empower your community to lead in clean energy adoption and achieve your emissions reduction goals.

Community Partners

Collaborate with us to advance clean energy and create lasting impact in your community.

Real Results. Lasting Change.

In just the past few years, OC Goes Solar has grown from a grassroots initiative into a countywide force for equitable clean energy access. Here is what we have made possible:

Community Members Engaged

0 +

Homeowners Gone Solar

0 +

Estimated Savings By Residents Annually

$ 0 M+

Megawatts of Clean Energy Generated

0 +

kWh of Energy Storage Installed

0 +

Local & Regional Partners

0 +

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out a quick form to connect with our program-selected installers and get a free, no-obligation quote.

Community Success Stories

Hear from Orange County residents who’ve made the switch to clean energy.

"OC Goes Solar was instrumental in helping me make the right decision, in that I was getting a good deal and I was definitely not alone. I don’t really pay for electricity anymore, nor for gas for that matter, thanks to my new electric car. My solar panels with a guaranteed life expectancy of 25 years will be paid for in less than five years from installation."

“I want to give a hearty thanks to the wonderful volunteers at OC Goes Solar for their research, advocacy and education that allowed us to make an informed, confident and economical choice. ”

"After searching for solar for months and getting quotes that were too expensive for my budget, a friend told me about Solarize Irvine. After contacting them, they immediately replied and answered all my questions. Everything has since been installed. Installers were quick and professional and solar is working perfectly. We are very thankful for Solarize Irvine."

“OC Goes Solar was a key driver for me getting solar. Your vetted contractors with the bulk discount rate made it incredibly easy to find a great solar provider. The quick return on investment made it a no-brainer. Thanks for doing this program!”

Our Partners

Our success is built on collaboration. We proudly partner with local governments, nonprofits, utilities, and grassroots groups to expand clean energy access across Orange County.

FAQs

Here are some of the most common questions we get and clear answers to help you navigate your solar journey smoothly.

What are the benefits of going solar?

Solar energy provides many environmental benefits besides saving money and energy independence. It emits no pollution, produces no greenhouse gases, and uses no finite fossil fuel resources.

Is going solar worth the cost?

Solar panel prices are at a record low, while electricity prices continue to rise in California. A payback period for residential solar investment is often seven years or less. Every day without solar is another day of high electric charges.

How do solar energy systems work?

Solar panels, also called photovoltaic (PV) panels, capture sunlight and turn it into direct current (DC) electricity. Since homes use alternating current (AC) electricity, an inverter changes the DC into AC so it can power your lights, appliances, and other devices.

If your system makes more electricity than your home needs, the extra is sent to the electric grid. Your utility meter tracks this and spins “backward” when you’re producing more than you’re using. That helps offset the cost of the electricity you use later from the electrical grid — like at night, when your system isn’t generating power.

Do solar panels produce electricity at night?

Solar panels don’t produce electricity at night because they need sunlight to work. When the sun goes down, your home still needs power—so it pulls electricity from the grid. The grid uses a mix of energy sources: some are clean (like solar and wind), but some come from fossil fuels (like coal or natural gas), which are considered “dirty” because they pollute the air.

If you want to avoid using grid energy at night, you can add a battery to your solar system. The battery stores extra solar power made during the day, so your home can keep using clean energy even after the sun sets.

What happens to solar panels when it’s cloudy or raining?

Solar panels are most effective in direct sunlight but still work in indirect sunlight.

Rain can actually help your panels work more efficiently by washing away dust or dirt.

For how many years do solar panels generate power?

Solar panels generate power for a very long time with little maintenance. While the inverter and some wiring may need upgrading in future years, the panels should remain useful for over 40 years.

What does the average residential solar system cost?

Prices vary based on a few key factors: your electricity needs, the efficiency of the selected solar panels, capacity, and the location of your house.

What is NEM (Net Energy Metering)?

When you have solar panels on your house, they generate electricity from sunlight. But you won’t always use all that power right away. When your system makes more electricity than you need, the extra gets sent back to the power grid. Net Energy Metering (NEM) is the set of rules that tells the utility company how to pay you back for the extra electricity your panels send to the grid.

SCE NEM FAQ page: https://www.sce.com/customer-service-center/help-center/solar/net-energy-metering/faq

What are the different NEM programs in California?

Over the years, California has had three versions of these rules: NEM 1.0, NEM 2.0, and NEM 3.0. Here’s how each one works:

NEM 1.0 (1996–2016)

Under NEM 1.0, you received full credit for each unit of electricity your solar system exported to the grid.
For example, if you normally paid 30 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), you earned 30 cents in credit for each kWh sent back.
There were no additional fees or complicated billing—just a straightforward and highly favorable arrangement.
If you installed solar under NEM 1.0, you are locked in for 20 years from the date your system was activated.

NEM 2.0 (2016–2023)

You continued to receive nearly full credit, though not the full retail rate.
A small portion—typically 2 to 3 cents per kWh—was deducted for non-bypassable charges.
Additionally, customers were required to switch to Time-of-Use (TOU) billing, where electricity rates are higher during peak daytime hours and lower at night.
There was also a one-time connection fee (around $75–$150).
People who went solar under NEM 2.0 are locked in for 20 years.

NEM 3.0 (Started April 15, 2023)

Significant change: Credits are no longer calculated based on the retail electricity price. Instead, they are now based on the value of the electricity to the grid, which is typically much lower—approximately 5 to 8 cents per kWh compared to around 30 cents previously.
Same Time-of-Use and small monthly charges, but there’s also a higher minimum bill (around $15/month).
As a result, batteries are strongly encouraged now. Why? Because instead of sending your extra solar to the grid for low credit, you can store it in a battery and use it when you need it—like at night.

What is a Solarize program?

A Solarize program is a community-based initiative that encourages and supports residents and businesses in going solar by providing group discounts and collective learning opportunities.

Do I need to live in Irvine or Orange County to participate in Solarize Irvine?

No, this program is open to everyone in Orange County and beyond. Some of our installers service homeowners throughout the state of California.

Is OC Goes Solar a solar company?

No, OC Goes Solar is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making solar energy and home electrification simple, accessible and affordable for everyone.

Do I need to own my home to participate in Solarize Irvine?

Yes, this program is intended for homeowners. However, if you’re a renter living in designated affordable housing and interested in solar, you can reach out to us. We may be able to help your building get started with solar through our Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program. If you would like to make other renter-friendly clean energy upgrades to your home, please visit our Home Electrification page.

If I live in a condo, townhouse, or other type of home with shared roofing, can I participate in Solarize Irvine?

Yes, our solar contractors can work with you and your HOA to determine if you can get rooftop solar panels for your home.

How do you choose solar contractors to partner with in your Solarize program?

Every year, we assemble a Community Evaluation Panel consisting of local volunteers who review the proposals of solar companies applying to be in the program. They take into account a variety of factors, such as financial history, customer service, products being offered, business models, length of time in business, and more. The Community Evaluation panel selects which companies to invite to interview and then ultimately decides who will participate in the program. This process starts over again each year, and typically 2-3 companies are chosen. OC Goes Solar does not endorse any company and is not party to any contracts between the homeowners and solar installers.

Who can attend a Solarize Irvine workshop?

These educational workshops, hosted by OC Goes Solar and the City of Irvine, are free and open to everyone.

My HOA is stringent about home upgrades such as going solar. Can you help me navigate that?

Yes, OC Goes Solar and our participating installers are very familiar with working with HOAs to get solar panels and other clean energy upgrades approved.

Why should I go through OC Goes Solar when I could just contact your participating installers myself?

When you go solar through OC Goes Solar, you are able to access our exclusive group discounts as well as one year of free technical support from us.

Still have questions?

We’re here to help. Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or community partner, our team can point you to the right resources and next steps.