Resource hub
Honest answers to the questions homeowners actually ask.
Calm, plain-English guides on solar, battery backup, your SDG&E bill, and wildfire readiness — written for humans, not engineers.
Choosing an Installer
How to choose a solar provider — and why Sean partners with Aloha.
Solar is a construction project. The contractor you hire matters more than the panels on the box — and the right installer can save you years of headaches.
What should you look for in a solar provider?
Finding a solar provider you can trust is the most important decision in the process. Verify their track record, real reviews across multiple platforms, and local reputation before you sign anything.
- Years in business and a strong, verifiable track record.
- Real Google, Yelp, and BBB reviews — not just curated testimonials.
- A local reputation you can pressure-test by asking neighbors.
You can always find a cheaper quote, but cheap installs often lead to poor workmanship, lackluster service, and continual headaches across 25 years of ownership.
My installation partner
Why Aloha Solar Power & Electrical Services?
Local
Based out of Encinitas and operated by Gabe Wellsheim, a hands-on master electrician who cares deeply about customer service.
In-house
A true in-house installer with no third-party subcontractors, so you know who is working on your home and servicing your system.
Professional
Unique to the solar industry, Aloha is the only true union contractor where every member of the install crew is a certified electrician — not one foreman supervising entry-level workers.
Quality control
Aloha intentionally serves greater San Diego County only, keeping response times fast and workmanship tightly controlled.
Competitive pricing
Aloha keeps overhead extremely low — no offices, online training, a small sales team, and no flashy merchandise or sales incentives. That means superior craftsmanship at very competitive pricing.
We're the champs!
Aloha won back-to-back 1st Place finishes at the Solar Games National Competition in 2023 and 2024. Every company installs on the same roof, then systems are judged on craftsmanship quality, efficiency, and aesthetics.
Aloha holds 5-star ratings on Yelp, Google, and the Better Business Bureau — plus back-to-back first-place finishes at the Solar Games National Competition.
The Federal Solar Tax Credit, Explained (30% ITC)
EnergySage's plain-English breakdown of the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit — what qualifies, how to claim it, and how it stacks with battery storage.
California NEM 3.0: What Homeowners Need to Know
How California's net billing tariff changed export credits, why battery storage now drives the payback math, and what to expect from a new system.
Home Battery Backup Power vs. Generators
A side-by-side comparison of upfront cost, runtime, fuel, noise, and maintenance — useful when deciding how to keep the lights on during a blackout.
Ready for Wildfire: Prepare Your Home & Property
CAL FIRE's official homeowner guide to preparing your property — defensible space zones, hardening materials, and what to do during a red-flag warning.
SDG&E Residential Pricing Plans
SDG&E's pricing-plan chooser walks through residential rate options (TOU-DR1, TOU-DR2, EV-TOU-5) so you can see which plan fits your usage before adding solar or battery.
What's the Average Solar Savings for a U.S. Home?
SolarReviews breaks down real-world savings from residential solar — payback periods, lifetime savings, and the variables that move the numbers most.
Have a question we haven't answered?
Sean reads every message personally. Ask anything — no obligation.