Affordable Solar For Your Home
Find Out If You Qualify
SunWork’s mission is to make solar affordable for low-energy-footprint homeowners. Often those who are already saving on their electricity bills haven’t been able to justify the costs of going solar. That’s where SunWork comes in. We keep our pricing for qualifying homeowners low — up to a third less than conventional solar installers. We do this through our volunteer model, by not marking up equipment, and by charging a low rate per watt to manage the entire project. The maximum monthly average kilowatt hour (kWh) usage requirements to qualify for SunWork are as follows:
Maximum Monthly Average Kilowatt Hour (kWh) Usage
Total for the last 12 months of electricity usage divided by 12
Standard Criteria
583 avg. monthly kWh
(7,000 annual kWh)
750 avg. monthly kWh
(9,000 annual kWh)
Medical Baseline Customers
750 avg. monthly kWh
(9,000 annual kWh)
CARE/FERA Customers
No monthly kWh maximum applies
New to Your Home: Maximum Monthly Average Kilowatt Hour Usage
We look at the 3 or 6 months since your move-in date
Standard Criteria
3 mos: 417 avg. monthly kWh
6 mos: 583 avg. monthly kWh
3 mos: 583 avg. monthly kWh
6 mos: 750 avg. monthly kWh
Medical Baseline Customers
3 mos: 583 avg. monthly kWh
6 mos: 750 avg. monthly kWh
CARE/FERA Customers
No monthly kWh maximum applies
Electric Vehicle (EV) Owners
If data is available, we look at your average monthly kWh usage for the 12 months prior to purchasing your EV. Otherwise, we estimate the kWh usage needed for charging your EV and subtract it from your average monthly kWh usage.
*Homeowners qualify to use the higher average monthly “electrification” criteria based on the following:
(a) They’ve installed either a heat pump water heater or a heat pump space conditioner;
(b) They are planning to complete installation of above heat pump equipment prior to their solar installation;
(c) The homeowner can show they are on an electrical baseline with their power company.
In addition, homeowners who qualify for the higher average monthly electrification adoption criteria above and who are also on a PG&E Medical Baseline can qualify for SunWork if their average monthly kWh usage is 917 kWh or less (11,000 annual kWh).
Roofing Criteria
SunWork will work on roofs that have a moderate slope going up to 26° for a one-story home and up to 22° for a two-story home. We also work on some flat roofs including modified bitumen and EPDM roofs. If you are not sure what type of roof you have, no problem, just ask us.
There must be easy access to the roof from the ground or from inside the home. A two-story home must have access to the second story from a portion of the first story of the roof which is also a maximum of 22°. This enables installers to hand up materials from the lower level to the upper.
The roofing material should be asphalt shingle also called composition shingle. We may work on a low slope roof if the material is a modified bitumen membrane or EPDM, but not tar and gravel. We also work on most metal seam roofs.
Roofs made of wood shake, metal shake, cement tile, clay tile or foam are more difficult to work on and SunWork currently does not install systems for these roof types. In the Central Coast area, SunWork will install on some types of concrete tile roof. Contact us and we can check it out.
Electric Vehicles
To qualify a homeowner that already owns an EV, we will either subtract costs for charging the EV from your average monthly bill, or if you’ve owned the vehicle for a short time, we can look at your average monthly electricity bill for the 12 months prior to purchasing the EV.
Steps to Going Solar With SunWork
1. Homeowner Requests Quote
- We focus exclusively on homeowners with low electricity bills so the first step is to ensure you qualify for SunWork.
- Fill out our online form to automatically pull down your electricity details from your utility and provide answers to several questions such as roof type and additional electricity requirements you plan in the future (such as plans to get an electric vehicle). This information helps us to properly size your solar system.
- When you complete this form, a personalized dashboard will be generated that provides you with solar system recommendations. You can log into this dashboard to update your assumptions.
- If you don’t have an online account with your utility, alternatively, you can provide your Utility Account number and we can usually pull down electricity usage via a phone hotline.
2. SunWork Provides Rough Estimate
- Based on the information you submit, qualified customers will receive a rough estimate from a SunWork Consultant. The Consultant uses the information you supplied in addition to reviewing satellite images of your home to help determine recommended equipment type, system size, and a rough cost estimate.
- The estimate is sent to you via email for your review. Questions you may have can be discussed on email or by phone, whichever you prefer.
3. Site Survey Scheduled
- If the rough estimate looks like it meets your needs and budget, the next step is to schedule a site survey with your assigned Project Lead.
- Your Project Lead will conduct a site survey of your home and meet with you in person.The Project Lead will inspect your roof, check your electrical panel and wiring, review any shade conditions, and get a better understanding for your future requirements and plans. The site survey usually takes between 60 to 90 minutes.
4. Proposal and Design Provided
- You will be provided with a more formal proposal as well as a system design for your review.
- This proposal is sent to you via email usually within two weeks following the site survey. If you have questions on the size or the design, you can discuss those options with your Project Lead.
5. System Installation
- Once you agree to the proposal and sign the SunWork agreement, your installation will be scheduled. At this point, building permits are issued, equipment is ordered, and volunteers are recruited for the installation.
- Depending on demand, we try to schedule installations within about 6 to 8 weeks following the site survey.
- Installations usually take place on the weekends when volunteers are available. Homeowners often enjoy participating in the installation as well, but that is by no means a requirement.
6. Inspection and Permission to Operate
- Your Project Lead is responsible to schedule the inspection with your City or County and meet you at your home for the inspection.
- Once your solar installation has passed inspection, your Project Lead will help you file appropriate paperwork with your Utility in order to be granted “PTO” (permission to operate.) The Project Lead also provides an invoice and collects payment, usually in the form of a check.
- Once you receive Permission to Operate, you will start receiving credit for the energy sent back to the utility from your solar system.
