Berkeley Solar Installation & Battery Backup | Ally Electric and Solar | (510) 559-7700

✓ C10 Electrical | ✓ C46 Solar | ✓ CSLB #806465 | ✓ Berkeley Permit Pros | | ✓ 1,000+ Installations
Panels & Batteries We Install: REC Alpha Silfab JA Solar Canadian Solar | Tesla Powerwall Enphase IQ FranklinWH EP Cube Briggs & Stratton
Why Berkeley Chooses Ally

Your Neighbors Have Been Doing This Since 2010

Most "local" solar companies have a 510 number and a warehouse in Tracy. We actually live here. Our team knows the difference between a Craftsman in Elmwood and a hillside home off Grizzly Peak — and we install them both.

😤

Done With PG&E Rate Hikes?

PG&E rates have gone up 9–12% per year for the last decade. Berkeley homeowners are paying some of the highest electricity bills in the country. Solar doesn't just save money — it's protection against whatever PG&E decides to charge next year. And the year after that. We've helped hundreds of East Bay families stop watching that number climb.

01

Real 510 Locals

When you call (510) 559-7700, you get someone who knows your street. We've installed in Elmwood, Thousand Oaks, Northbrae, the Berkeley Hills, West Berkeley, and Albany. We're not mapping your neighborhood for the first time.

02

We Know Milvia St.

The City of Berkeley Permit Service Center on Milvia Street — we're on a first-name basis. Berkeley's permitting process trips up out-of-town installers constantly. We handle every form, every inspection, every PG&E back-and-forth.

03

No Subcontractors. Ever.

Our Licensed Master Electrician does your panel upgrade. Our solar crew installs your panels. No one gets handed off to a third party you've never met. C10 & C46 licensed, all in-house.

04

East Bay Grid Experts

From foggy rooftops near the bay to sun-drenched hillsides above Tilden Park — we've designed systems for Berkeley's unique microclimates. We use local TMY weather data, not generic California averages, so your savings estimate is actually accurate.

Berkeley homeowners typically save $1,800–$2,400/year on PG&E bills after going solar. With NEM 3.0 + a Powerwall, you can bank that solar power and use it at night instead of buying it back from PG&E at peak rates. 🌞

Ally Electric and Solar crew team photo in front of branded service van — Bay Area solar and electrical contractors serving Berkeley CA since 2010

Your East Bay Crew

Ally Electric & Solar Team

That's Our Crew.
They'll Be at Your Door.

Not a stock photo. Not a hired temp. That's the actual Ally Electric & Solar team — the same people who'll show up at your Berkeley home, shake your hand, and do the work.

We've been operating out of Richmond since 2010, serving Berkeley, Albany, Kensington, El Cerrito, and all the way up into the hills. Our crew knows how to work on a steep Claremont hillside, navigate a narrow Northbrae backyard, and talk to a Berkeley Hills HOA.

When something comes up after the install (and occasionally things do), you call us — the same team who installed it. Not a 1-800 number.

And solar is only part of what we do. Our licensed electricians have completed major commercial electrical projects across the East Bay — including the Berkeley North Branch Public Library renovation at 1170 The Alameda, a $643,652 contract. We've also done electrical work at Piedmont Gardens, Peerless Lighting in Berkeley, and San Leandro High School. When Berkeley trusts us with a public library, you can trust us with your home.

16+ Years East Bay
W-2 Employees Only
Licensed Master Electrician
Zero Subcontractors
1,000+ Installations
Master Electricians On Every Job

Neighborhoods We Know & Serve

From century-old Craftsmans in the flats to hillside homes above BART — if you're in the East Bay, we've probably been to your street.

Elmwood
Berkeley
Thousand Oaks
Berkeley
Northbrae
Berkeley
Berkeley Hills
Berkeley
Claremont
Berkeley
West Berkeley
Berkeley
Kensington
El Cerrito area
Albany Hill
Albany
El Cerrito Hills
El Cerrito
Rockridge
Oakland
Temescal
Oakland
Point Richmond
Richmond
Solar Solutions for the East Bay

Everything Your Berkeley Home Needs

Whether you're in a 1920s Craftsman off Telegraph or a hillside home above Tilden Park, we tailor every system to your roof, your shading, and your family's energy habits.

☀️

Residential Solar Installation

We install REC Alpha Pure-RX, Silfab Elite, JA Solar DeepBlue, and Canadian Solar panels — matched to your roof, shading, and budget. REC Alpha leads in efficiency (22.6% HJT) for fog-prone East Bay rooftops. Silfab is proudly North American-made. All systems sized for your actual usage.

🔋

Tesla Powerwall & Battery Backup

Be ready for PG&E PSPS shutoffs before they hit. We install Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ, FranklinWH, Canadian Solar EP Cube, and Briggs & Stratton battery systems — whole-home backup for Berkeley Hills and flatlands alike. Not sure which is right for you? We'll walk you through it honestly.

⚡

Main Panel Upgrades

Many Berkeley Craftsman and mid-century homes have 60A or 100A service panels — too small for solar, a Powerwall, and an EV charger. Our licensed Master Electrician upgrades in-house.

🚗

Level 2 EV Charger Installation

We install Tesla Wall Connectors, ChargePoint, Juicebox, and NEMA 14-50 outlets for Tesla, Rivian, Ford Lightning, Chevy Bolt, and Leaf owners across Berkeley, Albany, and Kensington.

We Handle the Paperwork

Berkeley Permits Are No Joke. We've Got It.

Out-of-town solar companies get tripped up by Berkeley's permitting process all the time. We've been to the Permit Service Center on Milvia Street more times than we can count. We know the inspectors, we know the forms, and we know what Berkeley wants to see.

  1. 1
    City of Berkeley Permit ApplicationWe pull and submit everything — structural calcs, electrical diagrams, equipment specs. You don't touch a form.
  2. 2
    PG&E InterconnectionYes, dealing with PG&E is as fun as it sounds. We handle it so you don't have to. We file, track, and follow up until it's approved.
  3. 3
    Installation & City InspectionOur crew installs and we coordinate the inspection directly. Berkeley inspectors are thorough — we're ready for them.
  4. 4
    Permission to Operate (PTO)The finish line. Once PG&E flips the switch, your meter runs backward. That's when the savings start.

Berkeley-Specific Compliance & Incentives

  • BESO Compliance We ensure your project aligns with Berkeley's Building Energy Saving Ordinance — critical at time of sale or refinancing.
  • Historic District Coordination We work with the Landmarks Preservation Commission for homes in Berkeley's landmark districts.
  • NEM 3.0 System Sizing We size your Powerwall to maximize self-consumption under current PG&E TOU rate structures.
  • Berkeley Fog & Shade Analysis We use TMY data specific to Berkeley ZIP codes — not generic California averages.
Featured Berkeley Project

North Berkeley Hills: Solar + Tesla Powerwall

"We completed a 6.4kW REC Alpha system with two Tesla Powerwalls for a home in the North Berkeley Hills. The challenge: a complex roofline, coastal fog shading analysis, and an aging 100A panel. We upgraded the service to 200A and had PTO from PG&E in record time."

This Thousand Oaks homeowner had been quoted by two national solar companies — both wanted to subcontract the panel upgrade. Ally handled the service upgrade, solar, and both Powerwalls as a single permitted project. One company. One point of contact.

6.4kW
System Size
×2
Tesla Powerwalls
200A
Panel Upgrade
REC
Alpha Panels
Tesla Powerwall battery installed by Ally Electric and Solar on a Berkeley CA home — blue shingle siding, Eaton AC disconnect, professional conduit work by licensed East Bay contractor

Actual Berkeley Installation

Tesla Powerwall · Berkeley, CA
Straight From Your Berkeley Neighbors

What People Around the Corner Are Saying

★★★★★
"We'd been putting off solar for two years because the permit process seemed overwhelming. Ally made it completely painless — they handled the city, PG&E, everything. Didn't have to lift a finger. Our Elmwood home has been generating since last spring and our bills have basically disappeared."
M
Elmwood, Berkeley CA
Google
★★★★★
"We're in Thousand Oaks and our house is older — needed a full panel upgrade before solar could even happen. Two other companies wanted to subcontract it out separately. Ally just did everything together, no drama, no extra coordination on my end. The crew was friendly and actually cleaned up after themselves!"
S
Thousand Oaks, Berkeley CA
Yelp
★★★★★
"Our 1930s Kensington home is in a landmark-adjacent area and I was nervous no one would touch it. Ally knew exactly what was needed and handled the preservation questions upfront. They even took the time to explain how our Powerwall would behave during PSPS season. Felt like talking to a neighbor, not a salesperson."
D
Kensington, CA
Google
★★★★★
"I Googled 'local solar Berkeley' and most results were national companies pretending to be local. Ally picked up, knew what street I was on in Northbrae, and mentioned the specific shading issues that come with oak trees in our neighborhood. That's when I knew these were actually my neighbors."
J
Northbrae, Berkeley CA
Google
Berkeley Solar FAQ

Every Question Berkeley Homeowners Ask About Solar

We've answered these questions at kitchen tables across Elmwood, Kensington, and the Berkeley Hills for 16 years. Here are the real answers — no sales spin.

🎓

Backed by UC Berkeley research: UC Berkeley's Donald Vial Center on Employment in the Green Economy published a landmark study on the environmental and economic benefits of building solar in California — showing solar creates thousands of well-paying local jobs and delivers measurable emissions reductions. UC Berkeley also recently launched the CAL-NEXT Center for Solar Energy Research (2025), dedicated to accelerating solar innovation. We're proud to serve the community where this research happens.

💰 Cost & Savings

Most Berkeley residential solar systems range from $18,000–$35,000 before incentives, depending on system size, panel brand, and whether you add battery storage. A typical 10kW system with REC Alpha or Silfab panels runs about $2.29–$2.60/watt installed — all in, with permits, electrical work, and PG&E interconnection included. We provide itemized quotes with no hidden fees.
Berkeley homeowners typically save $1,800–$2,400 per year on electricity after going solar. Your exact savings depend on your current usage, roof orientation, and shading. With a Powerwall or other battery added, you can further reduce what you buy back from PG&E at peak TOU rates — often pushing annual savings 20–40% higher. PG&E rates have risen 9–12% per year historically, so your savings compound every year you own the system.
Most Berkeley homeowners see a 6–9 year payback period based on current PG&E rates and average East Bay solar production. With PG&E raising rates every year, payback periods are getting shorter, not longer. REC Alpha and Silfab panels carry 25-year performance warranties, so you're looking at 15+ years of essentially free electricity after payback. Add a battery and the economics improve further under NEM 3.0.
Yes — and in Berkeley's real estate market, meaningfully so. Studies show solar adds an average of $15,000–$25,000 to home resale value in California, and Berkeley buyers increasingly expect energy-efficient homes. The added value is generally exempt from property tax reassessment under California law, so you get the value bump without a higher property tax bill. Solar installations also tend to sell homes faster in Alameda County.

📋 Permits & Process

The full timeline from signed contract to Permission to Operate (PTO) from PG&E typically runs 6–12 weeks in Berkeley. The physical installation itself takes 1–2 days for most homes. The bulk of the time is permitting (City of Berkeley Permit Service Center on Milvia St.) and PG&E interconnection approval. We manage both processes and give you regular updates so you're never left wondering where things stand.
Yes — and Berkeley's permit process is more thorough than most Bay Area cities. You'll need a building permit and an electrical permit from the City of Berkeley Permit Service Center. The application requires structural calculations, an electrical single-line diagram, and equipment spec sheets. We prepare and submit everything. You don't fill out a single form or make a single call to the city.
BESO stands for Building Energy Saving Ordinance — a Berkeley city requirement that mandates energy assessments when you sell your home or do major renovations. Solar installation can intersect with BESO requirements, particularly if you're doing a panel upgrade alongside it. We ensure your project is structured to comply with BESO so there are no surprises when you sell. This is something out-of-town solar companies often miss entirely.
Yes, though it requires coordination with Berkeley's Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). Homes in historic districts — like parts of the Elmwood, Claremont, and North Berkeley areas — may have aesthetic requirements for panel placement (typically not visible from the street). We've navigated LPC approvals many times and know what they look for. The process adds a few weeks but is very manageable with the right preparation.

☀️ Panels, Batteries & Equipment

Less than most people expect. The marine layer typically burns off by mid-to-late morning, and Berkeley rooftops still average 4–5 peak sun hours per day — enough for strong solar economics. We use TMY (Typical Meteorological Year) data specific to your Berkeley zip code when sizing your system, not statewide California averages. Homes in the Berkeley Hills above the fog line often produce 10–15% more than flatlands homes. We account for all of this in your production estimate.
We carry four top-tier panel lines and help you pick based on your budget, roof space, and priorities:
  • REC Alpha Pure-RX — Best efficiency (22.6%), HJT technology, ideal for small roofs. Our premium pick.
  • Silfab Elite — Made in North America, excellent warranty, great for budget-conscious customers who still want quality.
  • JA Solar DeepBlue — High performance at a competitive price point. Popular for larger systems.
  • Canadian Solar HiKu — Proven reliability, strong output, good value for East Bay installations.
All carry 25-year product and performance warranties. We'll show you the numbers side-by-side and let you decide.
We install four battery systems and one generator option:
  • Tesla Powerwall 3 — Whole-home backup, built-in inverter, sleek design. Best for most Berkeley homeowners.
  • Enphase IQ Battery — Modular, pairs perfectly with Enphase microinverters, very reliable.
  • FranklinWH aPower — Excellent whole-home backup capacity, strong warranty, growing fast.
  • Canadian Solar EP Cube — High capacity, great for larger homes or those wanting maximum resilience.
  • Briggs & Stratton Standby Generator — Gas-powered whole-home backup for Berkeley Hills homes that want full resilience regardless of battery charge.
For most Berkeley homeowners worried about PSPS outages, a Tesla Powerwall or FranklinWH paired with solar is the sweet spot.
Many Berkeley homes — especially pre-1970 Craftsmans, bungalows, and mid-century builds — still have 60A or 100A electrical service panels that are too small for solar, a battery, and an EV charger running simultaneously. A 200A upgrade is usually needed. Because we're a licensed C10 electrical contractor, we do the panel upgrade ourselves as part of your solar project — one crew, one permit, one price. You don't have to hire a separate electrician.

📍 Berkeley-Specific Questions

NEM 3.0 (Net Energy Metering 3.0) is PG&E's current billing structure for solar customers. It pays significantly less for solar energy you export to the grid compared to the old NEM 2.0 rules. This changes the math: under NEM 3.0, self-consumption is much more valuable than exporting. That's why pairing solar with a battery is more important than ever — a Powerwall or FranklinWH lets you store your daytime solar production and use it at night instead of buying peak-rate power from PG&E. We size every system with NEM 3.0 economics in mind.
Without battery storage, your solar system shuts off automatically during a PSPS outage — by law, to protect utility workers. With a battery (Powerwall, Enphase, FranklinWH, or EP Cube), your home runs on stored solar power throughout the outage. For Berkeley Hills homeowners especially, where PSPS events due to high winds happen regularly, a battery is no longer optional — it's essential. We size battery systems to keep your critical circuits (refrigerator, medical equipment, WiFi, EV charger) running through a multi-day outage.
Most Berkeley roofs can support solar, but a few factors matter: south or west-facing roof sections produce the most; heavy oak tree shading in neighborhoods like Northbrae can reduce output; and very steep hillside roofs in the Berkeley Hills require additional safety equipment. Flat roofs (common in West Berkeley) work great with tilted racking. The best way to find out is a free remote assessment — we use satellite imagery and local production data to give you an honest production estimate before you commit to anything.
Absolutely — and it's one of the best financial arguments for solar in Berkeley. A typical EV in the Bay Area costs $600–$900/year to charge on PG&E. Add that to your household bill, and you're looking at a meaningful chunk of electricity spend. Solar can cover your EV charging entirely, especially when paired with a Level 2 charger that you schedule to charge during peak solar production hours. We install Tesla Wall Connectors, ChargePoint, Juicebox, and NEMA 14-50 outlets as part of the same project.

Still have questions? Call us at (510) 559-7700 — a real local person answers Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Or get a free remote assessment and we'll answer everything specific to your home.

Get Your Free Assessment →

Let's Talk — No Pressure, Ever

Ready to Stop Paying
PG&E So Much?

We'll do a free remote assessment for your Berkeley home, walk you through the numbers honestly, and answer every question — even if you're not ready to go solar yet. That's how we've built relationships in this community since 2010.

(510) 559-7700 Mon–Fri · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Call Now