Service
Main Electrical Panel Upgrade
The upgrade that makes solar, storage, and EV charging possible — and stops the breaker tripping every time the house works hard.
The panel is usually the real bottleneck
Plenty of East Bay houses are still running the service they were built with. That was adequate for a household with a fridge, a television, and a couple of window units. It was not designed for an induction range, a heat pump, a car in the garage, and a solar system on the roof.
The symptoms are familiar: breakers that trip when too much runs at once, a fuse box instead of breakers, a panel with no open slots left, or a brand that home inspectors and insurers have flagged as a known hazard.
It is also the most common reason a solar, storage, or EV project stops. You cannot add significant load or generation to a service that has no capacity for it, and finding that out after signing a contract is a bad afternoon.
Done once, sized for what comes next
We assess the existing service, run the load calculation, and size the upgrade around where your house is going rather than only where it is today. If solar, a battery, or an EV charger is anywhere on your horizon, the panel should be specified with that in mind — doing it twice is the expensive path.
A service upgrade involves coordination with PG&E as well as the city, because it touches the utility's equipment. We handle both sides of that.
This is core C-10 work and it is what the company was built on. Twenty-five-plus years of it means the surprises behind the drywall are familiar ones.
How it goes
What to expect
Assessment and load calculation
We inspect the existing service and calculate what your household actually needs, including anything you plan to add.
Utility and permit coordination
Service upgrades require both a city permit and PG&E involvement. We file and coordinate both.
Changeover
The panel is replaced and circuits are transferred and labeled. Power is out for part of the day — we tell you in advance how long to plan for.
Inspection and reconnection
City inspection, then PG&E reconnects the service. We confirm every circuit before closing out.
Questions
Panel Upgrades FAQ
How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?
Common signs: a fuse box rather than breakers, no open breaker slots, breakers that trip when several appliances run together, scorch marks or a burning smell at the panel, or being told your service cannot support solar or an EV charger. Any of those is worth an inspection.
How long will my power be out?
Typically part of a single day. The exact window depends on the scope and on PG&E's reconnection timing, and we give you a realistic estimate before the work starts.
Do I need to upgrade my panel to get solar?
Not always. It depends on your existing service capacity and the system size. We check during the site visit and quote it up front if it is needed, rather than raising it after the contract is signed.
Are some older panels actually dangerous?
Certain older panel brands have a documented history of breakers failing to trip properly, and many home inspectors and insurers flag them. If you have one, it is worth having it looked at — we will tell you honestly what we find.
Also from us
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Learn more →Solar Panel Repair & Replacement
Production dropped? Got a surprise true-up? We diagnose what is actually wrong instead of selling you a new system.
Learn more →
Ready to talk about panel upgrades?
We look at the actual job and give you a written price — including any electrical work it needs, up front.
Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm · We do NOT send auto texts or emails. We will only reach out to you directly about your inquiry.