Panel Upgrades in Rohnert Park, CA
Sized Right, Wired Right
From a straightforward panel replacement to a full service upgrade for an EV charger, solar, or an addition — sized with a real load calculation, not a guess, and installed with a written estimate before we start.
What Rohnert Park homeowners and businesses want to know first:
- Not sure if you need 100-amp or 200-amp service? We'll confirm with an actual load calculation, not a guess, and explain the real code rule behind the decision.
- If your panel is a known-risk brand like Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or Zinsco, we'll tell you plainly — that's a different situation than simply having an older panel.
- A written, itemized estimate before we start — no verbal pricing, no surprise charges.
★★★★★
5.0 · 27 Google reviews
20+ years
in the trade
CSLB #1156335
licensed · bonded · insured
Sonoma County
owned & operated
Panel Upgrades
Why Rohnert Park Chooses Bright Right Electric
- Licensed under CSLB #1156335, with every panel sized by an actual load calculation.
- A family-owned crew that tells you honestly whether your panel is a capacity issue or a real safety issue.
- Straightforward pricing you hear before we start, not after.
Panel Upgrades
What Is a Panel Upgrade?
A panel upgrade increases a home or business's electrical service capacity — whether that means replacing an aging main panel, upgrading the service entrance from 100 amps to 200 amps, or adding a subpanel to expand capacity for an addition or ADU. Bright Right Electric handles the full range of panel work for homeowners and businesses across Rohnert Park, from a straightforward panel replacement to a complete service upgrade. If your panel work is tied to outdated branch wiring throughout the home, our whole home rewiring page may be the better starting point; if a specific breaker is the actual problem rather than the whole panel, see circuit breaker repair.
─────── What we do
Panel Upgrades Services
01
AFCI Protection Installation
Install AFCI protection to help detect dangerous electrical arcs and reduce the risk of electrical fires in your home or business.
02
Circuit Breaker Installation
Install properly sized circuit breakers to protect your electrical system from overloads, short circuits, and other electrical hazards.
03
Commercial Service Entrance Upgrades
Upgrade commercial service entrances to support increased electrical demand while improving system safety, capacity, and reliability.
04
Commercial Subpanel Installation
Add commercial subpanels to safely distribute power to different areas, equipment, or circuits throughout your property.
05
Commercial Surge Protection Installation
Protect sensitive commercial equipment and electrical systems from damaging voltage spikes with professionally installed surge protection.
06
Dedicated Circuits
Install dedicated circuits for high-demand appliances and equipment to provide reliable power while reducing the risk of overloads.
07
GFCI Installation
Install GFCI protection in areas exposed to moisture to help prevent electrical shocks and improve overall electrical safety.
08
Panel Replacement
Replace outdated, damaged, or undersized electrical panels with modern panels designed to safely handle your property's electrical needs.
09
Service Entrance Upgrades
Upgrade your electrical service entrance to increase capacity and provide a safer, more reliable connection to your property.
10
SPAN Energy Management
Install SPAN energy management technology to monitor and control your home's electrical usage while improving energy visibility and control.
11
Subpanel Installation
Install subpanels to expand your electrical system and provide additional circuits for new appliances, renovations, or increased power needs.
12
Surge Protection Installation
Protect your electrical system and connected devices from power surges caused by outages, lightning, and electrical fluctuations.
13
Switches and Receptacles
Install or replace switches and receptacles for safer, more convenient, and reliable access to power throughout your property.
14
Whole House Surge Protection
Protect your entire home's electrical system and connected electronics from damaging power surges with whole-house surge protection.
Panel Upgrades
Our Process
Every panel project starts with confirming what your home or business actually needs, not assuming.
01
Walkthrough & load calculation
We assess your current panel and calculate your actual electrical demand — not a guess.
02
Written, itemized estimate
You get a real price in writing before any work begins.
03
Permit filed
We file the required permit as standard on every panel project.
04
PG&E coordination
Most panel upgrades require a brief, coordinated disconnect at the meter — we schedule this as part of the project, not as an afterthought.
05
Installation day
The panel, and any related meter base or service mast work, gets installed to current code.
05
Final inspection & closeout
We coordinate the final inspection so the work is documented cleanly.
Panel Upgrades
How Much Does a Panel Upgrade Cost?
A 100-amp to 200-amp panel upgrade commonly runs $1,500 to $4,500, depending on access, permit scope, and whether a new meter base or service mast is needed. Full service relocations typically run higher.
Those are honest national ranges, not a locked-in Bright Right Electric quote — the fastest way to get an exact number is a walkthrough and a real load calculation. Call (707) 791-5552 or request a quote below and we'll tell you plainly what your project needs and what it'll cost.
Panel Upgrades
100-Amp vs. 200-Amp — Which Do You Need?
A 200-amp panel offers roughly double the usable continuous capacity of a 100-amp panel under NEC code rules, with more breaker slots — typically 30 to 42 versus 20 to 24. If you're adding an EV charger (a Level 2 charger alone can draw 30 to 50 amps), a heat pump, or planning a home addition, 200-amp service is usually the right call. A 100-amp panel can still work fine for a smaller home with gas heat and modest electrical demand. The honest way to know for certain is a real load calculation, not a guess — which is exactly what we do before recommending either option.
Panel Upgrades
Is Your Panel Actually Dangerous, or Just Old?
There's a real difference, and it's worth understanding before you commit to anything. A plain older panel that's simply undersized for today's demand is a capacity issue, not necessarily a safety one. Specific panel brands — Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco among them — have a documented history of breakers failing to trip properly during an overload, which is a different and more serious situation. If we find one of these brands in your home or business, we'll tell you plainly rather than lump it in with a routine capacity upgrade.
Panel Upgrades
What's Included in Electrical Installation
Panel upgrades cover a wide range of specific projects. Here's what falls under this service, and where to go for more detail on each.
Panel Replacement
Panel replacement swaps out an aging, undersized, or high-risk-brand panel for a new one sized to your actual electrical demand, permitted and inspected properly.
Service Entrance Upgrades
Service entrance upgrades increase your home or building's overall electrical capacity — commonly 100 amps to 200 amps — including the meter base and service mast where needed. A commercial version is available for businesses.
Subpanel Installation
Subpanel installation adds a secondary panel to expand capacity for an addition, ADU, workshop, or other detached space without a full service upgrade. A commercial version is available for tenant spaces and commercial buildings.
AFCI Protection Installation
AFCI protection installation adds arc-fault breaker protection required on most living-area circuits under current code, detecting dangerous wiring arcs before they start a fire.
GFCI Installation
GFCI installation adds ground-fault breaker or outlet protection required in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor circuits, protecting against electrical shock.
Circuit Breaker Installation
Circuit breaker installation adds new breakers to your panel for additional circuits, sized and matched to your panel's brand and specifications.
Dedicated Circuits
Dedicated circuits are individual circuits wired for a single major appliance or system, commonly needed for kitchen equipment, workshop tools, or HVAC systems.
Surge Protection
Surge protection installation and whole house surge protection guard your panel and connected equipment against voltage spikes. A commercial version is available for businesses.
Switches and Receptacles
Switches and receptacles work often accompanies a panel upgrade, updating outlets and switches to match your home's new capacity.
SPAN Energy Management
SPAN energy management installs a smart panel system that gives you real-time visibility and control over your home's electrical circuits, often paired with solar or battery backup.
Panel Upgrades
Why Choose Bright Right Electric
Sized by calculation, not guesswork.
We confirm your actual electrical demand before recommending 100-amp, 200-amp, or anything in between.
Honest about panel-brand risk.
If your panel is a documented high-risk brand, we'll tell you plainly rather than treat it like a routine upgrade.
Written estimates, no surprises.
You get an itemized price in writing before any work starts.
PG&E coordination handled.
We schedule the required utility disconnect as part of the project, not as a surprise interruption.
08 ─────── Reviews
What Rohnert Park Customers Are Saying
"This is the most professional company I have ever worked with. I am a difficult person and hard to please (I have really high standards (as a retired science teacher) and I am skeptical of workmen and I'm a perfectionist!). Bright Right is currently working on the 3rd job I have hired them for – everything has gone smoothly, no stress at all!!! They are so friendly and so courteous. Rick and Dustin are an effective team with their two unique personalities – both very upbeat, serious, and kind. They explain everything in detail and answer all my questions (I am hyper-concerned about my property), and they are basically experienced, conscientious electricians you can trust."
— Nora Parker · Google Review
"I recently hired Dustin for some electrical work at my home, and I couldn't be happier with the results. He installed a high-quality bathroom fan, finished installing several outlets around the house, and completed a new electrical panel installation. From start to finish, Dustin was professional, knowledgeable, and clearly takes pride in doing the job right. The new panel installation was the bigger job, and Dustin handled it with real expertise. Everything was organized, labeled, and done to a very high standard, which gave me a lot of confidence in the safety and quality of the work."
— Google Review
"Bright Right did the electrical for our kitchen remodel and we couldn't be happier, we have since then added an EV with them and they were as good as the first time. Highly recommend!"
— Joey Evans · Google Review
"Shout out to Dustin Fildes, the electrician they sent to do the work at my house. You can tell he takes pride in his work. He's a very professional and very friendly. Individual would absolutely recommend Bright Right Electric and specifically Dustin to all my family and friends. Thank you Bright Right"
— Robert Horner, Google Review
Google Business Profile
5.0
Across 27 Google reviews
Panel Upgrades
Serving Rohnert Park and the Greater North Bay
Bright Right Electric provides commercial and tenant improvement electrical throughout Rohnert Park — offices, retail, and restaurants along the Commerce Boulevard and Redwood Drive corridors, and businesses near Sonoma State University and the University District — and out to Cotati, Penngrove, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Windsor, Healdsburg, Sonoma, and Cloverdale. Coverage extends into Marin County (San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, Sausalito, Larkspur, Corte Madera, San Anselmo, Fairfax, and Tiburon) and Napa County, including wineries, tasting rooms, and hospitality projects. If your property isn't listed, call anyway — the answer is usually yes.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a panel upgrade cost?
A 100-amp to 200-amp panel upgrade commonly runs $1,500 to $4,500, depending on access, permit scope, and whether a new meter base or service mast is needed. Call (707) 791-5552 for an exact number.
Do I need a 100 amp or 200 amp panel?
A 200-amp panel is generally the better choice for homes over 3,000 square feet, homes with electric heat or air conditioning, EV chargers, or any home planning an addition. A 100-amp panel can still work for smaller homes with gas heat and modest electrical demand. A professional load calculation confirms which one your home actually needs.
What are the signs I need a panel upgrade?
Breakers that trip often, lights that dim when large appliances start, a panel that feels warm or makes a buzzing sound, or running out of open breaker slots for new circuits.
Is my Federal Pacific (FPE Stab-Lok) or Zinsco panel dangerous?
These specific panel brands have a documented history of breakers failing to trip properly during an overload — a more serious concern than simply having an older, undersized panel that's otherwise functioning normally
Does a panel upgrade require a permit?
Yes, in most cases. Panel upgrades require a permit in California, and Sonoma County building permit fees for electrical work typically run $200 to $500 depending on project scope.
Will my power be shut off during a panel upgrade?
Most panel upgrades require a brief, coordinated disconnect at the meter by the utility company, which is scheduled and managed as part of the project rather than an unplanned interruption.
What's included in a panel upgrade beyond the panel itself?
Often a new meter base, service mast, grounding and bonding work, and updated arc-fault/ground-fault protection to meet current code.
How much amperage does an EV charger need?
A Level 2 EV charger typically draws 30 to 50 amps on its own, which is a common reason homes with a 100-amp panel need to upgrade before adding one.
Do I need a bigger panel for solar or a battery system?
Often, yes. Solar and battery systems are a common driver of panel upgrades, since these systems frequently require more panel capacity than an older service provides.
How do I know what amperage my current panel is?
Check the main breaker at the top of your panel, which is typically labeled with the amperage. Call (707) 791-5552 if you're not sure and we'll help you figure it out.
Get in touch
Ready to Get Started?
Call (707) 791-5552 any time, day or night, or fill out the quote form below and we'll get back to you.
Phone
(707) 791-5552
(tap to call)
Address
1150 Holly Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Hours
7am - 5pm & 24 hour emergency services available.
15 ─────── Full service detail
Electrical Panel Upgrades in Rohnert Park
Replacing an undersized or obsolete panel is the most common job we perform in Rohnert Park, and it's the one that unlocks everything else. If your home still runs original 100-amp service, a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok, or a Zinsco panel, you're working with equipment engineered for a much smaller electrical load — and, in the case of those two brands, with a documented history of breakers that fail to trip. Upgrading to 200-amp service makes EV charging, battery backup, heat pumps, and modern appliance loads possible without constantly tripping breakers. We size the new service to what your household actually needs, pull the permit, coordinate the PG&E disconnect and reconnect, and meet the inspector for final sign-off.
EV Charger Installation in Sonoma County
Bright Right installs Level 2 home charging sized to your vehicle and, just as importantly, to your panel's actual available capacity. We run the dedicated 240-volt circuit, mount and commission the charger, and handle the permit — installing Tesla Wall Connectors, universal J1772 and NACS units, and hardwired or plug-in setups across Rohnert Park, Petaluma, and Santa Rosa. The detail most homeowners don't hear until it's too late is that many Sonoma County panels can't support a Level 2 charger without a service upgrade first, so we run a load calculation before you buy equipment, not after. We can also pre-wire a second circuit if a second EV is anywhere in your future.
Standby Generators & Backup Power
Public safety power shutoffs are a fact of life in Sonoma County, and so are winter storms that take lines down in the hills. We install whole-house standby generators with automatic transfer switches that pick up the house within seconds of an outage, wire inlets and manual transfer switches for portable generators, and add whole-house surge protection so your equipment isn't damaged when the utility comes back online. We'll also tell you honestly which tier makes sense — not every home in Cotati or Penngrove needs a whole-house unit when a critical-loads panel that keeps the refrigerator, well pump, internet, and a few circuits alive costs a fraction as much.
Solar & Battery Systems
We handle new photovoltaic installation, battery storage, system additions, and remove-and-replace work when a roof needs attention or a system has failed — plus service on existing arrays that aren't producing what they should. If you inherited a solar system with the house and nobody can tell you how it's wired or whether it's still under warranty, we can assess it and give you a clear picture. Battery storage in particular has changed the math for Sonoma County homeowners: between shifting utility rate structures under NEM 3.0 and the frequency of outages, a battery paired with existing solar is often a better investment than adding more panels.
Interior & Exterior Lighting
Recessed and can lighting, full LED retrofits, under-cabinet lighting, dimmer and smart-switch installation, fixture and chandelier hanging, landscape lighting, and security and motion-sensor lighting for homes across Rohnert Park and the University District. On the commercial side we handle lighting retrofits for offices, retail spaces, and warehouses along the Commerce Boulevard corridor, including the fixture and control changes that come with California Title 24 compliance. Lighting is one of the few electrical upgrades where the difference is immediately visible, and it's frequently the cheapest way to make a dated room feel finished.
Electrical Troubleshooting & Repair
Breakers that trip for no obvious reason, circuits that go dead, lights that flicker when the dryer starts, outlets that no longer hold a plug, GFCIs that won't reset, a faint burning smell you can't locate. These are the calls where experience shows. We trace a fault to its real source instead of swapping parts and billing for guesses, which is why our repairs hold and why we get called in behind other contractors who couldn't find the problem. In older Sonoma County homes the cause is often a failing backstab connection, a corroded neutral, a rodent-damaged run in a crawlspace, or a decades-old junction box buried behind drywall.
Custom Homes & New Construction
Full electrical for ground-up residential builds, major remodels, and additions throughout Sonoma, Marin, and Napa County — load calculations and plan review, service and meter setup, rough-in, trim, and final inspection. We work with general contractors, designers, and owner-builders, and we're comfortable on high-end custom projects near Sonoma State University where the lighting design, low-voltage layout, and smart controls all have to be coordinated before a single wire goes in. Getting the details right at rough-in is what keeps a home safe and functional for the next forty years — and it's far cheaper than fixing it after the drywall is up.
Commercial Electrical & Tenant Improvement
Service upgrades, panel and subpanel work, dedicated circuits for equipment, lighting retrofits, EV charging for employee and customer parking, and full tenant-improvement electrical for offices, retail, restaurants, and light industrial space along Redwood Drive and beyond. We understand a commercial job runs on someone else's schedule, so we work around business hours when the scope requires it. From a single dedicated circuit to a complete build-out, you get one licensed contractor coordinating permits, PG&E, and inspection — with clear pricing and a clean, code-compliant result.