Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about our electrical and solar services in Orange County.
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Yes. OC Electric & Solar Inc holds CSLB License #1080439 and is fully insured for all electrical and solar work in California. You can verify our license through the CSLB website at cslb.ca.gov.
- What areas do you serve?
- We are based in Huntington Beach and serve all of Orange County, including Fountain Valley, Westminster, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Garden Grove, and Irvine. If you are unsure whether we cover your area, call (714) 756-1574 and ask.
- Do you offer free estimates?
- Yes, estimates are always free. Call (714) 756-1574 or fill out our contact form and we will schedule a time to assess your project and give you clear, upfront pricing.
- Do you offer 24/7 emergency service?
- Yes. We take emergency calls 24/7 for urgent electrical issues like sparking outlets, burning smells, or total power loss. Call (714) 756-1574 at any time and we will get someone out to you as quickly as possible.
- Do you pull permits for electrical work?
- Yes. For work that requires a permit — such as panel upgrades, new circuits, rewiring, solar installation, and EV charger circuits — we pull the permit from your local city building department and schedule the inspection. This protects you and keeps the work code-compliant for insurance and resale.
- How much does an electrical panel upgrade cost?
- Panel upgrade costs vary based on the panel amperage (100A to 200A is the most common upgrade), whether your meter main or service entrance also needs upgrading, and your local permit fees. We provide free estimates so you know the full cost before any work begins. Call (714) 756-1574 to schedule one.
- How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?
- Common signs include breakers that trip frequently, a panel rated at 100 amps or less, a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel, plans to add solar or an EV charger, or not having enough breaker slots for new circuits. We can inspect your panel and tell you honestly whether an upgrade is needed.
- How long does a solar installation take?
- The physical installation is typically one to two days for a residential system. The full timeline — including design, permitting, SCE interconnection approval, and inspection — usually takes four to eight weeks from contract to activation.
- Will solar work with NEM 3.0?
- Yes, but the economics changed. Under California's current Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0), SCE pays a lower rate for excess solar energy you export to the grid. We design systems sized to cover your usage as closely as possible, and we strongly recommend pairing solar with a battery so you store your excess energy instead of exporting it at a low rate.
- Do you install Tesla chargers?
- Yes. We install Tesla Wall Connectors for all Tesla models, as well as universal J1772 and NACS-compatible chargers for any electric vehicle. We also check your panel capacity and pull permits when required.
- Do you install solar battery storage?
- Yes. We design and install solar battery systems that store your excess solar energy for use at night or during power outages. We can add a battery to an existing solar system or install a complete solar-plus-storage package.
- Can solar power my home during an outage?
- A grid-tied solar system without a battery shuts off during an outage for safety reasons. With a battery backup system, your home can run on stored solar energy during an outage. We can design a system with backup capability if that is a priority for you.
- Why are Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels dangerous?
- Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok and Zinsco panels have a documented history of breakers failing to trip during an overload, which can lead to overheating and fire. If your home has one, we strongly recommend replacement. We can inspect it and confirm the brand during a free estimate.
- Can I charge my EV with solar?
- Yes — and it is one of the best ways to maximize the value of your solar system. We can design a solar-plus-EV setup so your car charges on clean energy. If your panel needs upgrading to handle both, we handle that too.
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