Solar panel and battery storage installation in the South Bay, Los Angeles. NEM 3.0 optimized systems, Tesla Powerwall, Enphase. Paragon Home Services serves Redondo Beach, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, and all South Bay cities.
Designed for NEM 3.0. Built for marine-air longevity.
California's NEM 3.0 net-metering structure changed solar economics fundamentally — the value of exported energy dropped, and battery storage became essential for most homes to actually break even. Paragon designs solar + battery systems sized for your real load profile, with marine-rated hardware for coastal homes, properly bonded grounding, and full SCE/LADWP interconnection. We install Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ, and other tier-1 platforms.
II.WHY IT MATTERS
Why Solar Without Battery Doesn't Work Anymore
NEM 3.0 Math
Under NEM 3.0, exported solar energy is credited at roughly 25% of retail rates — meaning energy you generate during the day and don't use yourself returns very little value. Without a battery to store midday production for evening use, payback periods stretch to 12+ years. With battery storage, well-designed systems can pay back in 6–8 years.
Battery Sizing Is Critical
Undersized batteries leave you exporting at low rates; oversized batteries waste capital. The right size depends on your load profile (especially evening loads), whether you have an EV, and whether you want backup capability during grid outages. We model your actual usage and right-size.
Coastal Hardware
Solar inverters and battery enclosures installed in salt-air zones need NEMA 4X or properly ventilated NEMA 3R enclosures. Standard installs corrode connectors and ground lugs within 5–7 years. We spec coastal hardware on every install within roughly two miles of the beach.
III.PROCESS
Our Solar & Battery Process
01Energy audit and load profile review — we pull 12 months of utility data and model your actual usage by hour.
02System design and economics modeling — solar size, battery size, payback calculation, and NEM 3.0 export modeling.
03Written proposal with full equipment list, line diagrams, and fixed pricing.
04Structural and electrical engineering — roof load verification, conduit routing, panel and interconnection design.
05Permit and utility application — city building permit and SCE/LADWP interconnection submitted in parallel.
06Installation — mounting hardware, panels, inverter or microinverters, battery, and main panel interconnection.
07Commissioning and PTO — system commissioned, monitored online, and Permission to Operate received from utility.
08Walkthrough and ownership — monitoring app set up on your phone, system operation explained, warranty documented.
IV.CAPABILITIES
Solar & Battery Capabilities
Rooftop solar PV (composition, tile, flat roof)
Tesla Powerwall battery installation
Enphase IQ batteries and microinverters
FranklinWH and SolarEdge battery systems
Solar with EV charger integration
NEM 3.0 system design and economics modeling
Coastal-hardware specification (NEMA 4X)
Main panel upgrades for solar interconnection
Subpanel additions for solar/battery loads
SCE and LADWP interconnection management
City permit management
System monitoring setup
V.FAQ
Solar & Battery — Frequently Asked Questions
Is solar still worth it under NEM 3.0?
Yes — but only when designed properly with battery storage. Solar-only installs under NEM 3.0 have payback periods of 12+ years, which is hard to justify. Solar plus battery, sized for your actual load profile, can pay back in 6–8 years and provides backup capability. We model the math for your specific home before quoting.
Do I need a panel upgrade to add solar and battery?
Sometimes. Panels rated 200 amps with available bus space generally handle solar interconnection. Older 100-amp panels and panels at capacity often need an upgrade or a load-side tap solution. We verify panel capacity at design and quote upgrades transparently if needed.
How long does a solar + battery installation take?
From signed contract to system turn-on, expect 8–14 weeks total: 2–3 weeks design and permit submission, 3–6 weeks permit and utility approval, 1–2 days installation, and 2–4 weeks for utility Permission to Operate. The actual on-roof installation is the fastest part of the process.
Will my system work during a power outage?
Only if you have a battery. Grid-tied solar without battery shuts off automatically during utility outages (an anti-islanding safety requirement). With Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ, or similar battery systems, your home stays powered through outages — duration depends on battery size and load.
VI.THE PARAGON DIFFERENCE
The Work
Rooftop solar PV, battery storage, and EV-integrated solar systems — designed for NEM 3.0 economics.
The Paragon Difference
We design for NEM 3.0 reality — solar without battery rarely pencils anymore. Most installers still sell solar-only because the upfront cost is lower; that's not the right answer.
VII.SERVICE AREAS
Solar & Battery Storage Installation — Service Areas
