Planning solar on both a San Diego house and another building? Confirm the permit scope before treating the two roofs as one installation. The city has a specific rule for multiple buildings, including an exception for qualifying accessory garages and carports. A solar-plus-battery PPA can help eligible homeowners arrange a coordinated project with little or no upfront purchase cost, provided the proposal clearly covers the intended structures and equipment.
This guide concerns City of San Diego properties with SDG&E electric service. It does not establish requirements for every San Diego County address. Sources were checked November 8, 2026.
Does each building need a separate solar permit?
The city's Information Bulletin 301, dated May 2026, says solar installations on multiple buildings require a separate electrical permit for each stand-alone structure. It makes an exception for garages and carports that are accessories to the building and on the same premises.
Have the installer confirm with Development Services how that exception applies to your property. It does not mean solar on an accessory garage is permit-free. Nor should a homeowner assume a detached dwelling is classified as a garage because it once served that purpose.
The bulletin also requires the site plan to identify proposed and existing solar equipment, batteries, connected subpanels and the meter panel. Ask for a drawing that makes each building's role clear.
Compare the proposed scope building by building
Here is a hypothetical planning exercise: a homeowner proposes panels on the house and detached garage, with storage beside the house. Before signing, we suggest asking the project team:
- How is each structure classified in the city's records?
- Which permit record covers each part of the installation?
- Who handles any additional permit, design or electrical work, and is its cost included?
- Which circuits in each building will receive battery power during an outage?
Those questions help turn a general proposal into a reviewable scope. They are not a finding that this example qualifies for a particular permit route or PPA offer.
Coordinate the utility application separately
SDG&E's solar and battery installation center provides its interconnection application, tracking portal and electrical one-line diagram resources. Ask the installer to reconcile the utility submission with the equipment and service connections shown on the city plans.
A city permit arrangement does not by itself establish the utility's approval or the backup layout. Keep both approval milestones in your project checklist. Our San Diego inspection-day guide explains the later appointment and operating-approval steps.
Specify backup and payment expectations
Solar on two roofs does not automatically keep both buildings powered during an outage. Ordinary grid-tied solar alone generally shuts down when the grid fails. Compatible backup equipment, supported circuits, available battery charge, load demand and sunlight determine what can run and for how long. Tesla's outage guidance explains these operating limits for Powerwall systems; other products need their own design review.
The CPUC solar guide explains that a PPA provider owns the solar equipment and sells its generated electricity. A qualifying no-upfront arrangement can preserve cash and include professional maintenance. Confirm ongoing energy prices, any escalator, contract length, battery ownership and charges, maintenance and replacement coverage, and home-sale terms. Remaining utility charges still apply; savings are not guaranteed.
Bring a property sketch, proposed roof locations and essential-load list to West Coast Alternatives' homeowner journey. Ask for a proposal that connects the permit responsibilities, backup coverage and total payment terms.