Solar Panel Installation in Modesto, CA
Local sun, utility rules, permits and installers
Modesto has about 1,550 kWh a year per kW of rooftop solar (our estimate). Your utility decides what exported power earns, so see the rules for Modesto Irrigation District and Pacific Gas & Electric below, then get quotes.
Modesto solar at a glance
Utility rules and programs for Modesto
Modesto Irrigation District and Pacific Gas & Electric serve Stanislaus County, so which rules apply depends on your address.
| Utility | Type | Solar export rule |
|---|---|---|
| Modesto Irrigation District | public power | Modesto Irrigation District is a public utility outside the CPUC’s net billing rule; we could not confirm its current export credit for new solar customers, so ask MID before you sign. |
| Pacific Gas & Electric Co. | investor-owned | New PG&E solar customers (applications on or after April 15, 2023) are on the Net Billing Tariff: exports earn hourly avoided-cost credits, usually below the retail price, and you must be on an electrification rate (E-ELEC). Older NEM 1 and NEM 2 systems keep retail-rate credits (NEM 2.0 for up to 20 years). Apply for interconnection on PG&E’s solar pages before installing. |
Program details are from each utility’s own pages (read October 2026). See the California incentives table for statewide credits and a status for every program.
Permits and approvals in Modesto
- City of Modesto Building Division: permit information
- The page lists permit applications and requirements; check it before you start.
- The utility must approve the connection before you switch on: PG&E getting started with solar · Modesto Irrigation District · your own utility’s interconnection page.
- Check any contractor on the CSLB license check before you sign.
- California law (Civil Code 714) voids HOA rules that effectively ban solar, though an association can impose reasonable restrictions; an application not denied in writing within 45 days is deemed approved.
Fees and steps change; confirm with the office before you start. We have not verified timelines for Modesto.
Costs and savings
We do not have verified installed prices for Modesto alone. The California figures above show what to expect; real quotes depend on your home, equipment and installer. Try the solar savings calculator, and get at least two written quotes.
Choosing an installer
- License: check the contractor on the CSLB license check and that the license covers this work.
- Quote: ask for an itemized written quote that names the equipment, warranties and who pulls the permit and handles the utility approval.
- Compare: get two or three quotes and compare them line by line, not only the total.
Get solar quotes in Modesto
Tell us about your project in Modesto. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area. It is free, with no obligation, and nothing is shared with an installer unless you choose one.
More for Modesto
Home Battery Installation in Modesto · Backup Generator Installation in Modesto · Home EV Charger Installation in Modesto · Modesto energy guide · California energy guide.
Solar Panel Installation in Modesto FAQs
Is solar worth it in Modesto?
The sun is strong (about 1,550 kWh a year per kW, our estimate), but export credits are low, so solar pays most when sized to what you use at home or paired with a battery. See the California incentives for the state credit.
Is there a federal solar tax credit in 2026?
No. The federal 25D credit ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025. California has no state solar tax credit that we found; the state property-tax exclusion applies to systems finished before January 1, 2027.
Do I need a permit for solar panels in Modesto?
Usually yes, and the utility may need to approve solar and batteries. City of Modesto Building Division handles permits in Modesto; see the permit information above.
How do I find a licensed installer in Modesto?
Use the quote button on this page. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area; you can check any contractor on the CSLB license check.
Sources: sunshine and climate NASA POWER; hazards FEMA National Risk Index; utility numbers EIA-861 (2024); prices EnergySage (October 2026) and Generac (U.S.); credits IRS and California SB 710 (2025); permit information from the city or town’s own page; utility programs from each utility’s own pages (October 2026). General information, not financial, tax, legal or electrical advice. See our editorial policy.