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Southern California's Solar Pioneers.
Over 30 Years.
One of the longest-established solar installation companies in Southern California. For more than three decades, we've helped homeowners and businesses transition to clean, reliable solar energy — with quality workmanship, honest guidance, and long-term value.
The History of San Diego Solar
The Hosmer brothers were ahead of their time. In 1995, they founded DSH Solar Electric to install off-grid solar systems for a colorful mix of movie stars and backcountry residents across Southern California's remote landscape. These were pure DC systems, purpose-built to charge large lead-acid battery banks — and the Hosmers mastered them before most people had heard the word “solar.”
When grid-tied solar became viable in 1999, they were already deeply embedded in the market — pulling some of the very first solar permits in cities from Santa Barbara to Chula Vista, including the first commercial solar permit ever issued by the City of San Diego for the Ocean Beach People's Food Co-op. Many of today's solar industry leaders got their start here before going on to build utility-scale solar farms and major energy infrastructure projects.
In 2007, the Hosmers sold San Diego Solar to Akeena Solar, then the largest solar installer in the country, where the Southern California and Hawaii division became Akeena's most profitable operation. When Akeena later collapsed under poor corporate leadership, the Hosmers stepped back in, repurchased the company, and restored San Diego Solar as a locally owned and operated business dedicated to serving the community rather than distant shareholders.
Today, the Hosmer brothers remain connected in an advisory capacity, while CEO Curtis Williamson — who joined in 2013 — leads the company forward. Having navigated changing incentives, policy shifts, and industry consolidation across multiple decades, San Diego Solar is built to keep serving homeowners and businesses for generations to come.
30+ Years
Of Experience
Since 1995
Founded
1st
Commercial Permit in SD
Local
Owned & Operated
The People Behind San Diego Solar
Curtis Williamson
Chief Executive Officer
Curtis took over as CEO and has built meaningfully on the foundation laid by the company's founders. His steady, customer-focused leadership style — calm under pressure, transparent with customers, and committed to his employees — has strengthened the company's financial position and established a clear vision for future growth.
Curtis first started working with San Diego Solar in 2013, and he has helped the company expand while carefully maintaining the values that have defined it since the very beginning.
HB
The Hosmer Brothers
Founders · Advisors
The Hosmer brothers were ahead of their time. In 1995, they founded DSH Solar Electric to install off-grid solar systems for a colorful mix of movie stars and backcountry residents across Southern California — pure DC systems built to charge large lead-acid battery banks, mastered before most people had even heard the word “solar.”
They pulled some of the very first solar permits in cities from Santa Barbara to Chula Vista, including the first commercial solar permit ever issued by the City of San Diego. Today, the Hosmer brothers remain connected to San Diego Solar in an advisory capacity, bringing the perspective of true industry pioneers with over three decades of experience.
How Did San Diego Solar Get Started?
1995
Founded as DSH Solar Electric
The Hosmer brothers begin installing off-grid DC solar systems across Southern California — mastering the technology before most people had heard the word “solar.”
1999
Grid-Tied Solar & First Permits
As grid-tied solar becomes viable, the team pulls some of the first solar permits from Santa Barbara to Chula Vista — including the first commercial solar permit ever issued by the City of San Diego.
Early 2000s
Technology Pioneers
Among the first installers of pioneering solar technologies, building direct relationships with manufacturers like BP Solar, Sanyo, SunPower, and Siliken — when modules produced just 100–150 watts.
2007
Acquired by Akeena Solar
The Hosmers sell San Diego Solar to Akeena Solar, then the largest solar installer in the country. The Southern California and Hawaii division becomes Akeena's most profitable operation.
2013
Curtis Williamson Joins
After the Hosmers repurchase and restore the company to local ownership, Curtis Williamson joins — bringing the customer-focused leadership that would carry San Diego Solar forward.
Today
Locally Owned, Built to Last
With Curtis as CEO and the Hosmer brothers advising, San Diego Solar remains independent and locally operated — serving homeowners and businesses across Southern California for generations to come.
Who Works on Your Solar Project?
Leadership
Our CEO and advisory founders bring decades of experience in solar energy, construction, and business management. They set the standard for quality and integrity that runs through everything we do.
Design & Engineering
Our design and engineering team creates custom solar solutions for every project. They use advanced modeling software and site analysis to maximize your system's performance and savings.
Installation Crews
Our installation crews are the backbone of San Diego Solar — experienced technicians trained to our exacting standards, with the institutional knowledge that comes from decades in the field.
Customer Success
From your first phone call to your final inspection and beyond, our customer success team ensures a seamless experience. They coordinate every step and are always just a call away.
Serving San Diego & Southern California
San Diego Solar proudly provides solar panel installation, battery storage solutions, and solar energy services throughout San Diego County and across Southern California. Whether you're a homeowner looking to reduce electric bills or a business seeking a reliable commercial solar solution, our experienced team delivers customized systems designed for long-term performance and value — and continues to set the standard for solar installation in Southern California.
Common Questions About San Diego Solar
San Diego Solar is led by CEO Curtis Williamson and is a locally owned and operated company. It was founded in 1995 by the Hosmer brothers (originally as DSH Solar Electric). After a period under national installer Akeena Solar in the late 2000s, the Hosmers repurchased the company and restored it to local ownership. Today the Hosmer brothers serve in an advisory capacity while Curtis leads day-to-day operations.
San Diego Solar has more than 30 years of solar installation experience, tracing its roots to 1995. It is one of the longest-established solar installation companies in Southern California. The team pulled some of the very first solar permits in the region — including the first commercial solar permit ever issued by the City of San Diego, for the Ocean Beach People’s Food Co-op.
Yes. San Diego Solar designs and installs both residential and commercial solar systems, along with battery storage solutions, throughout San Diego County and across Southern California. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to reduce electric bills or a business seeking a reliable commercial solar solution, our team delivers customized systems designed for long-term performance and value.
Yes. San Diego Solar holds a valid California State License Board (CSLB) contractor’s license and carries full workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. We are fully bonded and have maintained our license in good standing for over two decades.
More than 30 years of solar industry experience, locally owned and operated leadership, expertise across both residential and commercial installation, deep knowledge of San Diego utility programs and solar policies, long-standing direct relationships with leading solar manufacturers, honest recommendations tailored to each property, and proven stability through decades of industry change. We were pioneers of the technology — many of today’s solar industry leaders got their start here.
Our installations are backed by a 25-year manufacturer panel warranty, a 10–25 year inverter warranty (depending on brand), and a 10-year workmanship warranty on the installation itself — including roof penetrations. Combined solar + roofing projects also include a 10-year roofing workmanship warranty. Because we’ve been operating for more than 30 years, we’ll still be here when your warranty needs to be honored.
For active warranty customers, we target a same-day or next-business-day response on diagnostic calls and a 1–3 day on-site appointment for non-emergency issues. For monitoring outages or production drops, most issues are diagnosed remotely within 24 hours. Outage / no-power emergencies on backup-battery systems are prioritized for same-day response.
We provide solar panel installation, battery storage, and solar energy services throughout San Diego County and across Southern California — from Oceanside and Carlsbad in the north, through coastal cities (Del Mar, La Jolla, Point Loma), inland communities (Poway, Rancho Santa Fe, Escondido, Scripps Ranch), to South County (Chula Vista, National City). After three decades, we know the local building departments, HOAs, and SDG&E inspectors personally.
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