Is solar still worth it in LA after NEM 3.0?
NEM 3.0 changed the math, but solar still makes sense for most LA homes — when paired with a battery. Real payback periods and savings.
Quick answer: yes — for most LA homeowners — but the math now requires a battery to make solar pencil out.
What changed with NEM 3.0
Net metering 3.0 reduced the credit you get for excess solar exported to the grid. That makes self-consumption (using your own solar) much more valuable than exporting it.
Why a battery is now essential
A battery stores your daytime solar so you can use it at night, when grid power is most expensive. That's how you capture the full value of every kWh you produce.
Typical LA payback: 7–11 years
Down from 5–8 years pre-NEM 3.0, but still solid given that solar systems last 25+ years. The federal 30% tax credit and SGIP battery rebates make it work.
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