Builder Solar Upgrades
Your New Home Came With Solar. But Did It Come With Enough?
Many newly constructed California homes include solar panels. Unfortunately, the system that came with your home may not match your family's actual electricity needs. SunSoCal specializes in helping homeowners evaluate and expand builder-installed solar systems.
The problem with builder-installed solar
Just Because Your Home Has Solar Doesn't Mean It Has Enough.
When you purchase a newly constructed home in California, there's a good chance it already includes solar panels. But here's something many homeowners don't realize: the solar system installed by the builder may not have been designed to offset your family's actual electricity consumption.
Builders frequently use standardized solar packages, projected energy usage, or systems designed around applicable construction requirements. Your actual electricity consumption depends on how you live.
For example: a family with two electric vehicles, a swimming pool, and heavy air-conditioning usage may consume significantly more electricity than the assumptions used when the original solar system was designed. The result? You move into a beautiful new home with solar panels already installed — but you're still receiving substantial electricity bills.
SunSoCal helps homeowners understand why this happens and what options may be available.
Common situations
Common New-Construction Solar Situations
The Builder Installed a Small Solar System
You Didn't Choose the Original System Size
You Own an Electric Vehicle
Your Electricity Bills Are Higher Than Expected
We understand builder solar systems
Helping Homeowners in Southern California's Newest Communities.
These are examples of homebuilders whose customers may have solar systems. SunSoCal is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with these companies.
Whether your solar system was included in the purchase of your home, purchased separately, or provided through a lease or other agreement, SunSoCal can help you explore available options. The first step is understanding what equipment you currently have and how your system is performing.
Sizing your system
Your Home's Energy Needs Are Unique. Your Solar System Should Reflect That.
- Annual electricity consumption
- Existing solar production
- Household occupancy
- Electric vehicles
- Swimming pools and spas
- Air-conditioning usage
- Future home improvements
- Available roof space
- Utility billing arrangements
- Battery storage preferences
An educational example
Two Homes. Identical Solar Systems. Very Different Needs.
Home A
A couple with no electric vehicles and relatively modest electricity consumption.
Home B
A family with multiple children, two electric vehicles, and a swimming pool.
Even though both homes have identical builder-installed solar systems, their electricity needs may be dramatically different. That's why a standardized builder-installed system may work better for one household than another.
Expansion options
Can Builder Solar Be Expanded? In Many Cases, Yes.
SunSoCal can evaluate whether adding panels, installing a separate solar system, or adding Tesla Powerwall battery storage may be appropriate. Not every system can be expanded in the same way — we review the available options before recommending a solution.
Want to understand how additional panels work? Explore Solar Add-Ons.
New-construction communities
Built for Southern California's Growing Communities.
Orange County
- Rancho Mission Viejo
- Irvine
- Ladera Ranch
- Lake Forest
- San Clemente
Riverside County
- Menifee
- Temecula
- Murrieta
- Eastvale
- Beaumont
- Corona
San Bernardino County
- Ontario
- Chino
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Fontana
San Diego County
- San Marcos
- Chula Vista
- Oceanside
- Escondido
These locations are examples of communities with residential solar opportunities.
Our builder solar review
Let's See What Your Builder Installed — and Whether It's Enough.
- 1Your existing solar system size
- 2Your home's electricity consumption
- 3Your utility billing information
- 4Your solar production
- 5Your future electricity needs
- 6Potential expansion options
- 7Tesla Powerwall battery storage options
Curious about storing more of your solar energy? Ask us about Tesla Powerwall options during your review.
Common questions
Builder Solar FAQs
Your Builder Chose Your First Solar System. Let's Explore What Comes Next.
Find out whether your builder-installed system matches your family's actual electricity needs — and what options may be available if it doesn't.