Going Solar in the Inland Empire: A Local Guide

The Inland Empire — Riverside and San Bernardino counties — is one of the best solar markets in the United States. High electricity rates, abundant sunshine, and strong incentives make solar an excellent investment for IE homeowners.

Why the Inland Empire Is Perfect for Solar

Several factors make the IE particularly well-suited for solar:

• Sun hours: The IE averages 5.5–6.5 peak sun hours per day — among the highest in the continental US
• High electricity rates: SCE rates are among the highest in the country, making solar savings significant
• Hot summers: High AC usage means high summer bills — exactly when solar produces the most
• Strong home values: Solar adds $15,000–$25,000 to IE home values on average

SCE Service Territory

Most of the Inland Empire is served by Southern California Edison (SCE). Under NEM 3.0, SCE customers benefit most from pairing solar with a Tesla Powerwall battery — storing daytime solar energy to use during SCE's peak pricing window (4–9 PM).

Cities We Serve in the Inland Empire

Pell Solar has been installing solar throughout the Inland Empire since 2003. Our service area includes:

• Riverside, Corona, Moreno Valley
• San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga
• Ontario, Upland, Claremont, Pomona
• Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore
• Redlands, Yucaipa, Beaumont, Banning
• Chino, Chino Hills, Eastvale

Typical IE Solar System

The average Inland Empire home uses 800–1,200 kWh/month — higher than the California average due to air conditioning. A typical IE solar installation:

• System size: 8–14 kW
• Panels: 20–35 panels
• Battery: Tesla Powerwall 3 (strongly recommended under NEM 3.0)
• Monthly savings: $200–$400 on SCE bill

Permitting in IE Cities

Pell Solar handles all permitting in every IE city we serve. Typical permit timelines:

• Riverside: 2–3 weeks
• San Bernardino: 3–4 weeks
• Rancho Cucamonga: 2–3 weeks
• Corona: 2–3 weeks
• Temecula: 2–3 weeks

From contract signing to system activation typically takes 6–10 weeks in the Inland Empire.

Pell Solar's IE Office

Our California office is located in Upland — right in the heart of the Inland Empire. We're a local company, not a national chain. When you call us, you reach our local team, not a call center.

1326 Monte Vista Ave #7, Upland, CA 91786 | (714) 880-4416

Get a free quote for your Inland Empire home →