Net Metering Expansion
(Limited SF Bay Area Pilot)
From $1,499
Already have rooftop solar but wish you could generate more?
Your net metering agreement may allow the expansion of your existing solar array*. Plug-in solar provides a simple, cost-effective way to grow your system using available space around your home.
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Easy Installation: Just plug in and start generating.
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Cost-Effective: Add solar capacity without the complexity and cost of traditional rooftop panels.
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Flexible Placement: Install anywhere around your home with enough sun.
Availability: Ready mid-September, 2025. Pickup in Richmond, CA, or local delivery within 50 miles. Sorry, no shipping outside this area.
Bonus: May qualify for the federal solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC).
* Specifically, PG&E allows an expansion of up to 1 kW of generation capacity without losing existing net metering privileges, please see the last paragraph of this document.
PRODUCT
What You'll Get
Plug-In Solar Panel System
Two to four 400 W solar panels, complete with wiring and aluminum mounts. These are state-of-the art, high quality bifacial solar panels, similar to those used with rooftop installations. They come with a 25-year warranty.
120 V Inverter - Turns Solar into Electricity
One 900 W micro-inverter to convert the solar energy into power for your home and an app to monitor it. Simply connect the solar panels on one side of the inverter and plug it into an electrical outlet on a dedicated circuit on the other side.
Easy Self-Install Instructions
Self-install instructions and optional installation support by our team. Stop by our warehouse in Richmond, CA to pick up your kit or schedule a half-day delivery window, including one hour of installation support by our local team.
Product Specs
Each Bright Saver Solar Expansion Kit comes with
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2-4 solar panels, 400 W each
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Panel Dimensions (LWH): 76” x 41” x 1.3” each
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Weight: 46.5 lbs each
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1 Microinverter, 120 V AC / 900 W
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UL certified and California Energy Commission approved
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1 AC power cord to connect to an outlet
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Smartphone app for energy production monitoring
FINANCIAL SENSE
Energy Production and Value
Each 400 W panel will produce up to 600 kWh of energy per year if optimally placed toward the sun with no shading. At an estimated value of $0.30 per kWh under Northern California net metering rates, the annual value and payback period can be estimated as follows:
System Size | Total Cost * | Annual Production | Annual Value | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2 panels | $1,399 | 1,200 kWh | $360 | 3.9 years |
3 panels | $1,744 | 1,800 kWh | $540 | 3.2 years |
4 panels | $2,052 | 2,200 kWh** | $660 | 3.1 years |
* Including delivery and installation support and 10% estimated sales tax, minus 30% Federal Tax Credit (expires at the end of 2025, to be claimed on your 2026 tax return)
**The fourth panel will add less output than the first three since the 900 W inverter will “clip” peak production on very sunny days.
GETTING THE PANELS
Free Pick-Up and SF Bay Area Delivery Options
You can save money by picking up the panels on your own from our Richmond, CA warehouse. You will need a pickup truck, a cargo van, large SUV, or a car with a roof rack. Please note: Many SUVs are a bit too narrow to fit the solar panels inside the car, so please check for at least 42" of internal width.
We offer delivery and 1 hour of installation support for an additional $349 within a 50 mile radius of Richmond, CA. No shipping outside this area is available.
We will contact you within 2 business days of your purchase to arrange a pickup time or delivery time window, based on the option you chose.
REQUIREMENTS
Space Requirements
You will need a sunny spot on a flat surface for the solar panels, each slightly larger than a twin mattress. They have to face south or southwest and they need direct sunlight during most of the day.
The aluminum mounts allow for horizontal or vertical ground mounting and for adjusting the solar panels’ angle from the ground between approximately 40 and 75 degrees. The footprint per installed panel will be roughly as follows:
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Horizontal: 7’ x 4’ x 3’ LWH
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Vertical: 4’ x 4’ x 6’ LWH
DISCLAIMERS
Know Before You Buy
REGULATORY NOTE: This is a portable solar device that doesn't need a permit in many cities and may not need registration with your utility company. Please check with your city and electrical utility to make sure this expansion is fully permissible for your home and does not violate your existing net metering agreement.
SAFETY NOTE: For electrical safety, the outlet to which you connect the system has to be on a dedicated circuit, i.e. having its own dedicated breaker with no other outlets or loads on the same circuit.
QUESTIONS
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Are these systems certified?Yes, they are tested and certified according to strict safety standards, such as UL 1741 for inverters and various international standards for solar panels.
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Is there any fire risk?Modern plug-in systems come with built-in overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection, and temperature monitoring systems to prevent overheating. Large backyard systems have to be plugged into a dedicated electrical circuit to eliminate any risk of circuit overloading and overheating.
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What about electrical safety?All inverters used in plug-in solar units are grid-tied. This means that if the system is unplugged or the grid goes down, the solar unit will shut off automatically within milliseconds. The prongs of the connection cable to your panel will never be energized when unplugged and are therefore touch-safe.
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My house has older wiring. Will this overload my circuits?If you are unsure, please consult with a licensed electrician.
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Do I have to worry about permitting?We will do our best to help you navigate the local regulations, but you are ultimately responsible for compliance. If you own or rent a single family home, placing panels in your yard does not require a permit in many municipalities. If you live in an apartment, condo or townhouse, you will want to check with your homeowners association or landlord for individual guidelines.
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Do I need a net metering agreement with my electrical utility company?Many electrical utilities require an interconnection agreement for solar systems of any size, even if no or very little energy flows back to the grid. If in doubt, please consult with your utility company.