Is it worth it for someone like me?
Fourteen common situations and a straight verdict for each — north-facing renters, home workers, café owners, people who already have rooftop solar.
By Mike YuPublished September 1, 2026
| Your situation | Verdict | Estimated saving | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renter, south-facing balcony, works from home | Yes, clearly | $280–$400/yr | Best combination available: good sun and you're there to use it |
| Renter, west-facing balcony, works from home | Yes | $230–$330/yr | Afternoon production lands on the expensive hours |
| Renter, west-facing balcony, out 9–6 | Marginal | $130–$180/yr | You're giving away half of it. Shift a load to midday and it improves |
| Renter, north-facing balcony | No | under $80/yr | A third of the sun for the same price |
| Renter, heavily shaded by the building opposite | No | under $90/yr | Panels are unforgiving about shade |
| Condo owner with HOA, south or west, good sun | Yes, if they'll allow it | $250–$400/yr | The economics are fine; the approval is the work |
| Homeowner, no rooftop solar, sunny patio | Yes | $300–$450/yr | Fewest obstacles, and you can tilt properly on a patio |
| Homeowner who already has rooftop solar | Usually no | varies | You'd likely be exporting it at a poor rate. Read this first |
| Small café or restaurant, any decent aspect | Yes, best case | $450–$590/yr | You use nearly everything you make |
| Small office, nine to five | Yes | $400–$550/yr | Load profile matches production almost exactly |
| Bar or evening venue | No | low | Closed when the panel produces |
| Anyone with a bill under $80 a month | Probably not | low | Not much to trim, and a smaller share of production gets used |
| Anyone on CARE or a low fixed-rate plan | Check carefully | varies | The cheaper your electricity, the longer the payback |
| Someone moving within a year | Yes, if the next place is sunny | portable | It comes with you. Check the next balcony's aspect before you buy |
Estimated. All figures assume Southern California Edison rates and a 900–1,200 watt system. Full working.
Get a figure for your actual place →
Sources
Every legal, numeric and safety claim on this page traces to one of these.
- NREL PVWatts Calculator — accessed September 1, 2026
- SCE Rate Advisory, June 2026 — accessed September 1, 2026