A solar pergola or solar patio cover isn’t a basic shade structure, and it isn’t a standard rooftop solar project either. It lives somewhere in between, where structure, shade, solar layout, electrical planning, permits, and outdoor living all have to come together at once.
That in-between space is exactly where homeowners tend to get stuck.
Most patio cover companies build shade — they don’t touch solar. Most solar companies install panels — they don’t build patio structures. Solar Patios By Design™ exists to close that gap for homeowners across Southern California.
We plan the structure, the solar layout, the design, the permits, and how you’ll actually use the space long-term as one project, not five separate ones.
One Contractor. One Design. Coordinated Permitting. One Finished Project.
Request a Solar Patio Cover Estimate Explore Solar Pergolas Explore Solar Patio Covers Solar Patios By Design™ is operated by Team All Star Construction, CSLB #1009760.So Why Choose Us, Really?
Direct AnswerHomeowners come to Solar Patios By Design™ because we treat solar pergolas, solar patio covers, and solar patio roofs as the focus — not an add-on bolted onto a regular patio cover job.
We help you plan the structure, the shade coverage, the solar layout, the electrical work, the permits, battery backup, EV charging readiness, and your outdoor living goals together, right from the start. Solar Patios By Design™ is operated by Team All Star Construction, CSLB #1009760.
Why Work With a Specialist Instead of Going It Two Ways
A solar pergola or solar patio cover sits at the intersection of two pretty different worlds: patio construction and solar planning.
A traditional patio cover company knows posts, beams, footings, shade, Alumawood, and backyard layout — but most have never touched solar panel planning, electrical integration, battery backup, or EV charging.
A solar company knows panel placement, system sizing, and electrical output cold — but most have no experience designing or building the actual patio structure underneath it all.
A specialist sits in both worlds at once.
That means the structure isn’t an afterthought, and the solar layout isn’t forced onto a cover that was never built to handle it. When both sides are planned together, the finished project has a much better shot at making sense — visually, structurally, and practically.
The Gap Most Homeowners Fall Into
Talk to a patio cover company, and the conversation starts with shade — attachment points, posts, colors, materials, roof style, how it’ll fit your backyard.
Talk to a solar company, and the conversation starts with power — panels, production, your utility bill, roof angle, system size, electrical requirements.
For a solar pergola or solar patio cover, both conversations need to happen at the same time, in the same room.
The structure has to actually work as a comfortable outdoor living space. The solar layout has to make sense for sun exposure, panel count, and where the wiring goes. And the whole thing still has to respect local rules, your property’s quirks, and how you actually live in your backyard.
That’s the real difference between slapping panels on a cover and planning a true solar shade structure from scratch.
Solar Pergolas and Solar Patio Covers Are Our Whole Focus
TeamAllStarConstruction.com is built around one category: solar pergolas, solar patio covers, solar patio roofs, and patio covers with solar panels.
Traditional patio covers, Alumawood structures, detached covers, insulated roofs, lattice covers, outdoor kitchen covers — those still matter, and we cover them too, since plenty of homeowners start with shade before solar ever enters the picture.
But where we really live is the point where shade and solar meet.
If you’re considering this kind of project, you’re probably not just asking “can I make my patio cooler?” You might also be wondering: can this structure handle solar? Can I keep panels off my main roof? Can my backyard actually become more useful? Should I be planning ahead for battery backup or EV charging?
Those questions deserve more than a quick, disconnected answer.
Why This Makes So Much Sense for Southern California Homes
Southern California is practically built for this kind of project.
Strong sun, long outdoor living seasons, pools, outdoor kitchens, west-facing patios that turn into ovens by 3pm — and a lot of homeowners who want solar but don’t necessarily want every inch of their roof covered in panels.
A solar pergola or solar patio cover might be worth a look if:
- Your patio is basically unusable once the sun hits it
- Your roof is crowded, aging, shaded, or just not where you want panels
- You want shaded outdoor living space as part of the deal
- You’re planning a pool lounge, outdoor kitchen, or backyard seating area
- You want solar, but you’d rather it improve your yard than just sit on your roof
- You’re thinking ahead about battery backup or EV charging
- You want design, construction, and solar all handled by the same people
Every property’s different. Sun exposure, your utility usage, available space, roof condition, local rules, HOA requirements, and your own design taste all shape what the final plan looks like.
View Areas We ServeA More Coordinated Way to Get This Done
When the patio work and the solar work get planned separately, homeowners often end up juggling conversations that don’t connect to each other.
One contractor talks structure. Another talks panels. Someone else handles electrical. And somewhere in the middle, you’re the one trying to make all the pieces fit.
We do it differently.
We look at the whole project as one upgrade from day one — how you want to use the space, where you need shade, where the posts make sense, how the structure connects to your home, what the solar layout could look like, what the electrical work involves, and what permits you’ll need.
Not every property is right for every option, which is exactly why that early review matters so much.
Good planning up front means you don’t end up with a patio cover that can’t realistically support the solar plans you had in mind down the road.
See Our Process How It WorksWhat Actually Makes Our Approach Different
Homeowners choose us because we refuse to treat this as just a patio job or just a solar job. We look at the whole thing.
- Patio cover design planned around how you’ll really use the space
- Solar pergola and solar patio cover options put on the table early
- Structure, shade, and solar layout considered together, not in sequence
- Permit and engineering realities discussed before anyone breaks ground
- Alumawood and traditional patio cover options explained plainly
- Battery backup and EV charging readiness reviewed when it’s relevant
- Cost and financing conversations kept honest and practical
- Southern California’s climate and local rules factored in from the start
- One team guiding the whole thing from planning through completion
We’re not trying to sell you the biggest project possible. We’re trying to help you figure out what actually makes sense for your home, your yard, your budget, and where you’re headed long-term.
View Solar Pergola Cost Factors View Solar Patio Cover Cost Factors Explore Financing OptionsBacked by a Licensed Southern California Construction Team
Trust And LicenseSolar Patios By Design™ is operated by Team All Star Construction, CSLB #1009760.
That distinction is worth understanding.
Solar Patios By Design™ is the consumer-facing brand focused on solar pergolas, solar patio covers, patio covers with solar panels, Alumawood patio covers, and outdoor living design. Team All Star Construction is the licensed entity actually doing the building.
We keep that wording straightforward so you always know exactly who’s behind the work and how the brand connects to the license.
Solar Patios By Design™ is operated by Team All Star Construction, CSLB #1009760.
View CSLB License Information Learn About the BrandShade First, Solar Planned With Care
Most homeowners start with shade — and that’s completely normal. A backyard that’s too hot or too exposed to enjoy isn’t doing you any good. A good patio cover can change that, especially around dining areas, pool decks, outdoor kitchens, and lounge spaces.
We just like to help homeowners look one step further.
If solar might be part of the picture now or down the line, it’s worth bringing up early. A traditional patio cover and a solar-ready structure don’t necessarily get planned the same way — post placement, engineering, panel layout, electrical routing, and permits can all shift depending on whether solar’s in the plan.
Starting with shade doesn’t mean ignoring solar. It just means having the conversation in the right order.
Explore Patio Covers Explore Alumawood Patio CoversPractical Guidance Before You Commit to Anything
A solar pergola or solar patio cover isn’t something to rush into.
Before moving forward, most homeowners want straight answers to a handful of practical questions:
- Is my patio or yard actually a good fit for this?
- Should the structure be attached to the house, or stand on its own?
- Would a solar pergola, solar patio cover, solar patio roof, or solar carport make more sense for me?
- What’s actually driving the cost here?
- What permits am I going to need?
- Could battery backup or EV charging realistically be part of this?
- Honestly, is roof solar still the better call for my situation?
We help you work through all of that before the design heads too far down the wrong path.
Compare Solar Patio Covers vs Roof Solar Learn About Solar Patio Cover PermitsFrequently Asked Questions
FAQsWhy not just hire a regular solar company?
A standard solar company might be perfect for rooftop solar, but most don’t design or build patio structures. A solar pergola or solar patio cover needs solar planning and structural construction handled together — and that’s a different skill set entirely.
Do solar patio covers need permits?
Pretty much always — though exactly what’s required depends on your city, county, project type, and electrical scope. We confirm the permit path for your specific project rather than guessing.
Why a solar patio cover specialist instead of a regular patio cover company?
A regular patio cover company can absolutely build you shade — but solar adds a whole extra layer. You’re now talking structural engineering, footings, solar layout, electrical routing, permits, and inspections. A specialist coordinates all of that from the start instead of figuring it out as you go.
What does "One Contractor. One Design. Coordinated Permitting. One Finished Project." actually mean?
It means your project gets planned as one coordinated upgrade, not a pile of disconnected pieces. The structure, the solar layout, the permits, the electrical work, and the outdoor living design all get considered together — so the finished result actually feels intentional, not patched together.
Can an Alumawood patio cover work for a solar project?
Sometimes, yes. It comes down to the structure, the engineering, the solar layout, and local requirements. Not every patio cover is automatically a good candidate for solar.
Are solar patio covers better than putting panels on the roof?
Not automatically — it depends on your situation. Roof solar makes sense when your roof’s in good shape, gets plenty of sun, and has the space for it. A solar patio cover tends to make more sense when you also want shade, more usable outdoor space, or simply don’t want panels covering your whole roof.
How do I know if my home's a good fit?
A property review looks at your patio layout, sun exposure, available space, roof condition, electrical needs, local requirements, and what you actually want out of your backyard. From there, we can tell you whether a solar pergola, solar patio cover, roof solar, or something else entirely makes the most sense.
Can a solar patio cover support battery backup or EV charging?
Often, yes — depending on the solar design, your electrical setup, and the scope of the project. We go over all of this during planning.
Ready to Explore a Solar Pergola or Solar Patio Cover?
If you need shade, want solar, and don’t want to rely on your roof alone, this might be exactly the project you’re looking for.
Start with a design conversation. We’ll walk through your patio goals, your home’s layout, your shade needs, and your solar potential — so you actually know what’s possible before you commit to anything.
Solar Patios By Design™ is operated by Team All Star Construction, CSLB #1009760.