Energy-efficient electrician for Berkeley, Oakland and the East Bay
Ally Electric & Solar is a family-owned, energy-efficient electrician in Richmond, CA. We do the panel, solar, battery and EV work that lowers your PG&E bill and gets your house ready to go electric, in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond and the rest of the East Bay.
The upgrades we install
Some of these pay for themselves in a year or two. Others, like a new panel, are what make the rest possible. Here's what each one does and when it's worth it.
Main panel upgrade
A lot of older East Bay homes still have 60 or 100 amp panels. That's fine for lights and a fridge, but it isn't enough to add a heat pump, an EV charger and an induction range on top. A 200 amp panel is usually the first step in going electric.
Panel upgradesSPAN smart panel
A SPAN panel replaces your breaker box and lets you see and control every circuit from your phone. During an outage you choose which circuits your battery keeps running. In some homes it also avoids the cost of a full service upgrade.
SPAN panelsSolar panels
Solar is still the biggest single cut to a PG&E bill for most homes we work on. Our own crew handles everything from the permit to PG&E's approval to turn it on. Pricing usually runs $2.60 to $3.50 per watt, depending on the roof and equipment.
Solar quoteHome battery storage
A battery stores your solar power for the evening, when PG&E rates are highest, and keeps the house running during outages and PSPS shutoffs. We install Tesla Powerwall, Enphase, FranklinWH and Generac batteries and file the SGIP rebate paperwork for you.
EV charger installation
A Level 2 charger on its own 240 volt circuit charges most cars overnight. Paired with solar and a time-of-use rate, it's the cheapest way to fuel a car in California.
EV chargersWiring for heat pumps
Heat pumps heat and cool the house with electricity and use far less energy than a gas furnace. We check your panel has room and run the dedicated circuit. For the unit itself we work with a licensed HVAC partner, so you get one plan.
Induction and heat pump water heater circuits
Switching from gas to an induction range or a heat pump water heater usually needs a new 240 volt circuit. We plan these together with your panel so you don't pay to open the same wall twice.
Home electrificationLED lighting
LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. It's the cheapest upgrade here, and we can add dimmers and motion sensors while we're on site.
Why use a licensed electrician for energy upgrades
Every upgrade above touches your panel, and most need a city permit. A licensed electrician pulls the permit and gets the work through inspection, which is also what PG&E and rebate programs like SGIP ask for before they sign off.
Ally has been licensed since 2002, first as Arco Electric and since 2010 as Ally Electric & Solar. Our own crews do the work, so you deal with the same people from the first visit to the final inspection.
Where we work
We serve homes within about 50 miles of our Richmond office.
Alameda County
Contra Costa County
Marin, San Francisco and the North Bay
Peninsula
Common questions
Is there a local electrician in the East Bay who specializes in energy-efficient upgrades?
Yes. Ally Electric & Solar in Richmond, CA is a licensed electrician (CSLB #806465) that focuses on energy-saving work: panel upgrades, SPAN smart panels, solar, home batteries, EV chargers and wiring for heat pumps. We serve Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond and nearby East Bay cities.
Which energy-saving upgrade should I do first?
Usually the panel. If your home has a 60 or 100 amp panel, adding a heat pump, an EV charger or induction cooking may not fit until it's upgraded or replaced with a smart panel. After that, solar gives the biggest cut to most PG&E bills.
Do I need a panel upgrade to add a heat pump or EV charger?
Not always. It depends on your panel size and what's already on it. We do a load check on the first visit. Sometimes a SPAN smart panel or a load management device lets you skip the full upgrade.
Is a SPAN smart panel worth it?
It's most worth it if you're adding a battery, since you can pick which circuits stay on during an outage. It also helps if you want to see where your power is going circuit by circuit.
Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade or EV charger in Berkeley or Oakland?
Yes. Panel upgrades, new 240 volt circuits, solar and batteries all need a city permit. We pull it and schedule the inspection for you.
Are there rebates for home batteries in California?
California's SGIP program pays part of the cost of a home battery, with larger amounts for some homes in high fire threat areas. Eligibility depends on your address and situation. We're an SGIP-approved developer and handle the application.
Can you add a battery to solar another company installed?
Yes. We add batteries to existing solar systems regularly, including ones we didn't install.
Do you install heat pumps?
We do the electrical side, which means checking the panel and running the circuit. The heat pump itself is installed by our licensed HVAC partner, and we coordinate the two so you have one schedule.
How much do smart thermostats and LEDs actually save?
ENERGY STAR says certified smart thermostats save about 8% on heating and cooling bills, around $50 a year (source). LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs (source). Small savings on their own, but cheap to do.
How do I get a quote?
Call (510) 559-7700 or fill out the free quote form. We'll ask about your panel and your PG&E bill, then come out to look at the house.
Ready to cut your PG&E bill?
Tell us what you want to add, and we'll tell you what your house needs to get there.
Ally Electric & Solar Inc. | 855 Marina Bay Pkwy Ste. 280, Richmond, CA 94804 | CSLB #806465