Solar panels, knob & tube wiring, panel upgrades, EV chargers, battery storage — all under one C10 & C46 licensed roof. Serving every Oakland neighborhood since 2010.
⚠️ Oakland homeowner? Your home may have knob & tube wiring or a Federal Pacific panel.
Both are fire hazards found in thousands of Oakland homes. We identify and replace them safely — and can add solar in the same project.
✅ CSLB C10 & C46 #806465
🔌 Knob & Tube Specialists
⚡ Panel Upgrade Experts
☀️ Solar + Battery + EV
📋 All Permits Included
📍 Oakland Local Since 2010
Oakland Homes Need More Than Just Solar — They Need a Full Electrical Expert
Oakland is one of the Bay Area's most electrically complex markets. Thousands of craftsman bungalows, Victorians, and mid-century homes still carry outdated wiring, undersized panels, and obsolete breakers. Before you go solar, those issues need to be addressed — by a contractor who understands both electrical and solar, not just one.
Ally Electric & Solar holds both a C10 Electrical and C46 Solar license — one of the few contractors in the East Bay that can legally and safely handle your entire home energy upgrade under a single contract. We've been doing exactly this in Oakland since 2010, across Rockridge, Temescal, Grand Lake, Montclair, Fruitvale, and every neighborhood in between.
From replacing knob and tube wiring to installing a Tesla Powerwall and solar panels — we've done it thousands of times. One call, one crew, one project.
Every Service Oakland Homes Need
We handle it all — from old wiring remediation to cutting-edge solar and battery storage.
Most Requested
☀️
Solar Panel Installation
High-efficiency solar for Oakland homes. We design systems around your PG&E bill, roof orientation, and shading — and handle all permits and interconnection.
Upgrade from 100A to 200A. Required for solar, EV chargers, and modern appliances. We install Square D, Siemens, and Eaton panels — all with city permits.
Oakland's older homes are full of it. Ungrounded, uninsulated, and a fire hazard. We replace knob & tube completely — and can tie in solar at the same time.
These panels are in thousands of Oakland homes and are known fire hazards. Breakers fail to trip under overload. We replace them with modern, code-compliant panels.
Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery 10C, and FranklinWH installed and configured. Keep your home powered during PG&E PSPS outages — Oakland Hills fires made this essential.
Level 2 EV charger installation for your Oakland home. Tesla Wall Connector, ChargePoint, Enphase EV, and more. Permitted and inspected — done in one day.
Replace your old panel with a SPAN smart panel — control every circuit from your phone, integrate solar and EV seamlessly, and get real-time energy insights.
California's SGIP program offers up to $1,000+/kWh in battery rebates. Oakland residents in high-fire-risk zones may qualify for enhanced SGIP funding. We handle all applications.
Knob & Tube Wiring in Oakland — What You Need to Know
If your Oakland home was built before 1950, there's a real chance it still has knob and tube wiring inside the walls. Here's why it matters — and what to do about it.
Your Old Wiring Is Holding You Back
Knob and tube wiring was standard in homes built between 1880 and 1940. It has no ground wire, runs without insulation in enclosed spaces, and was never designed for modern electrical loads — let alone solar panels, EV chargers, or heat pumps.
Most homeowner insurance companies in California now require knob and tube wiring to be replaced before issuing or renewing a policy. And virtually every solar installer — including Ally — will require replacement before installing panels.
The good news: we replace knob and tube wiring and install your solar system in a single coordinated project. One permit, one crew, one timeline — saving you weeks and thousands compared to hiring two separate contractors.
Rockridge · Temescal · Grand Lake · Fruitvale · Glenview · Dimond · Laurel · Piedmont Avenue · Adams Point · Maxwell Park
Dangerous Panels Found in Oakland Homes
Beyond knob and tube, Oakland has thousands of homes with panels that were recalled or flagged as fire hazards. Do you know what's in your breaker box?
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Federal Pacific Stab-Lok
The most dangerous panel in America. Breakers fail to trip under overload, causing fires. Found in homes built 1950–1990. Common throughout Oakland.
Fire Hazard — Replace Now
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Zinsco / GTE-Sylvania
Breakers melt and fuse to the bus bar — they can't be turned off. Found in 1960s–70s Oakland homes. Often confused with being functional when they're not.
Fire Hazard — Replace Now
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100-Amp Undersized Panels
Original equipment in many Oakland homes. Cannot support solar, EV chargers, or modern appliances without upgrading to 200A. Required for most solar installations.
Upgrade Required for Solar
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Modern 200A Upgrade
We install Square D QO, Siemens, and Eaton panels — code-compliant, solar-ready, EV-ready, and backed by manufacturer warranties. All with Oakland city permits.
✓ Recommended Upgrade
How a Full Oakland Home Energy Upgrade Works
From old wiring to solar-powered home — here's the process when you do it all with Ally.
1
Home Assessment
We inspect your panel, wiring, roof, and PG&E bill. One visit gives us everything we need to scope your full project.
2
Custom Design
We design your solar system, plan the panel upgrade or knob & tube replacement, and spec your battery and EV charger together.
3
Permits Filed
We pull all Oakland building permits and submit your PG&E interconnection application simultaneously — minimizing your wait time.
4
Installation
Our licensed crew handles everything — wiring, panel, solar, battery, EV charger. One team. No subcontractors. No coordination headaches.
5
Inspection & PTO
City inspection passed. PG&E Permission to Operate received. Your system is live. Your bill starts dropping immediately.
Why Oakland Homeowners Choose Ally
We're not a national chain. We're East Bay locals who've been doing this work in Oakland for over a decade.
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Dual C10 & C46 License
We hold both a C10 electrical and C46 solar license. That means we legally handle your entire project — wiring, panel, solar, battery, EV — under one contract. No subcontractors.
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Knob & Tube Experts
We've replaced knob and tube wiring in hundreds of Oakland homes. We know how to do it efficiently, with minimal disruption, and combined with solar in a single project.
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All Permits Included
Oakland building permits, PG&E interconnection, SGIP rebate applications — we handle all paperwork. You sign, we do the rest.
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PSPS & Fire Zone Ready
The Oakland Hills fire zone is a reality. We design battery systems specifically for PSPS outage protection — sized to keep your home running for days, not hours.
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SGIP Rebate Specialists
Many Oakland zip codes qualify for enhanced SGIP battery rebates. We identify your eligibility and handle the entire application — maximizing your incentives.
⭐
1,000+ Happy Customers
Including many Oakland families in Rockridge, Temescal, Grand Lake, and Montclair who've trusted us with their homes since 2010.
What Oakland Homeowners Say
Real customers, real projects, real results.
★★★★★
"Our Rockridge craftsman had knob and tube throughout. Ally replaced all of it and installed solar in the same project. One crew, one timeline, no chaos. Our PG&E bill went from $380 to basically nothing."
Garafoli Family
Rockridge, Oakland CA
★★★★★
"They identified our Federal Pacific panel immediately and explained exactly why it was dangerous. New panel, solar, and a Tesla Powerwall — all done in one week. Incredible service."
Oakland Homeowner
Grand Lake, Oakland CA
★★★★★
"Added an EV charger, upgraded our panel to 200A, and went solar — all through Ally. One point of contact for everything. They handled every permit and PG&E application. Couldn't have been easier."
Yes, but the knob and tube wiring must be replaced before solar installation. Most insurance companies and solar installers require this. Ally Electric & Solar handles both the knob and tube replacement and the solar installation under one C10 & C46 license — so you deal with one contractor, one timeline, and one permit process.
If your home was built before 1950, there's a good chance it has knob and tube wiring — especially if it's never been fully rewired. Signs include two-prong ungrounded outlets throughout the home, cloth-wrapped wiring visible in the attic or basement, and ceramic knob insulators on joists. We can confirm during an on-site visit.
Many Oakland homes built before 1980 have 100-amp panels that need upgrading to 200 amps before solar can be added. Some also have Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or Zinsco panels which are fire hazards and must be replaced. We assess your panel during every consultation and give you a straight answer.
Oakland homeowners on PG&E can access California SGIP battery rebates for income-qualified customers (RSSE program — waitlist basis), PG&E net energy metering credits under NEM 3.0, DAC-SASH for low-income households (up to $3/watt), PACE financing with no money down, and CARE/FERA utility bill discounts. Ally handles all paperwork and incentive applications — you don't file anything yourself.
Yes. Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco panels are known fire hazards found in thousands of Oakland homes built between 1950 and 1990. We replace them with modern 200-amp panels from Square D, Siemens, or Eaton — and can integrate solar and EV charging in the same project with a single permit.
Absolutely — and given Oakland's fire zone exposure, we strongly recommend it. Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase IQ Battery 10C, and FranklinWH all provide whole-home backup. We size your battery to your actual usage and design the system to keep critical loads running for 24–72+ hours during a PSPS event.
Every Rebate & Incentive Available to Oakland Homeowners in 2026
We identify every dollar you qualify for and handle all applications. Here's what's on the table right now.
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PG&E Net Billing (NEM 3.0)
Export Credits: ~$0.05–$0.08/kWh
Export excess solar to PG&E and earn credits on your bill. Under NEM 3.0, export rates are time-of-use based — highest during summer evenings. Battery storage is now essential to maximize NEM 3.0 value by shifting solar energy to peak hours instead of exporting at low rates.
Low-Income Only
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SGIP Battery Rebate — RSSE Program
Up to $21,700 Solar + $11,000 Battery
The SGIP General Market program closed December 31, 2025. However the RSSE AB 209 program ($280M state-funded) remains open for income-qualified Oakland households (at or below 80% AMI, or enrolled in CARE/FERA). Waitlist is active — apply now as reservations open when others cancel.
Low-Income Only
☀️
DAC-SASH Program
Up to $3/Watt — Up to $15,000
The Disadvantaged Communities Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) program offers income-qualified Oakland homeowners up to $3/watt upfront incentive on systems up to 5kW — potentially covering most installation costs. Available to PG&E customers in designated disadvantaged communities.
Renters & Owners
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DAC Green Tariff (DAC-GT)
20% Discount on Monthly PG&E Bill
Can't install rooftop solar? Oakland renters and condo owners in disadvantaged communities can receive 100% renewable energy plus a 20% discount on their PG&E bill — no installation required. Check your bill to see if you're already enrolled automatically as a CARE/FERA customer.
Multifamily
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SOMAH Program
Up to $3.50/AC Watt
The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program provides up to $3.50/AC watt for solar on income-restricted multifamily Oakland properties. Funding available through June 30, 2026. If you own an affordable housing property in Oakland, contact us now — time is short.
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PACE Financing
$0 Down — Repay Through Property Taxes
Property Assessed Clean Energy financing lets Oakland homeowners fund solar, battery storage, EV chargers, knob & tube rewiring, and panel upgrades with zero money down. Repayment is added to your property tax bill over 10–25 years. Available through the City of Oakland's clean energy financing program.
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CARE & FERA Utility Discounts
18–35% Off PG&E Bills
Income-qualified Oakland residents can receive 30–35% off their PG&E bill through the CARE program, or 18% through FERA. CARE and FERA customers who go solar also receive better net billing adder rates — shortening payback periods significantly. Enrollment through PG&E.
⚠️ Important: SGIP General Market Closed. SOMAH Funding Ends June 30, 2026.
Don't wait. Key programs have deadlines in 2026. Ally identifies every program you qualify for and files all applications as part of your project. Call us before the window closes.
Serving Every Oakland Neighborhood
From the hills to the flats — we know Oakland's homes, streets, and permit offices.
Rockridge
Temescal
Grand Lake
Montclair
Fruitvale
Dimond
Glenview
Laurel
Maxwell Park
Adams Point
Piedmont Ave
Upper Rockridge
Skyline
Joaquin Miller
Redwood Heights
Allendale
Eastlake
San Antonio
Trestle Glen
North Oakland
Also serving Piedmont, Emeryville, and all surrounding East Bay cities. (510) 559-7700
Ready to Upgrade Your Oakland Home?
Solar, panel upgrade, knob & tube wiring, EV charger, or battery storage — call Oakland's most experienced licensed electrical and solar contractor.
