The New Power Couple:
California Solar + Battery Storage
Together, solar and battery storage are transforming the way California homeowners make, store and use energy. Having this winning duo in your home can:
- Provide reliable backup power*
- Shield you from costly peak rates
- Significantly reduce your electric bill
- Enhance your energy independence
- Contribute to a more sustainable future
Stop TOU Rates in Their Tracks
California solar and battery storage can effectively counter utility time-of-use (TOU) rates by letting you store excess solar energy generated during the day, when electricity rates are lower, and use it during peak hours when rates are highest.
This means you can power your home with stored solar energy instead of drawing from the grid during expensive peak times, which can significantly reduce your electric bill.
California Solar & Storage
If you’re ready to reduce your carbon impact and lower your cost of solar in California, these state incentives, local rebates and the federal tax credit can help.*Federal Solar Tax Credit
After you install solar panels and battery storage on your home, you may be able to claim the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) of 30% of your system’s total cost on your next federal tax return.
California Net Metering Programs
This state program requires utilities like PG&E, SDG&E and SCE to credit solar customers for any excess power their panels produce and feed back to the power grid. The credits appear on your utility bills and reduce the total amount you owe for any grid-supplied electricity.
California Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)
SGIP offers a rebate for qualifying homeowners who install energy storage technology, such as a solar battery, that can operate when the grid goes down.
As of 2024, there are three categories of SGIP rebates that you may fall into:
- Equity rebates cover around 85% of the cost of a storage system ($850/kilowatt-hour) and are available for those who meet low-income guidelines or live in California Tribal Communities.
- Equity resiliency rebates cover nearly 100% of an average storage system ($1,000/kilowatt-hour) and are offered to those who live in a high fire threat area or have had at least two public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) and meet another qualification tied to income, medical needs or rely on an electric well pump for water.
- General market rebates cover about 15-25% of an average storage system ($150-$200/kilowatt hour), available to electric and/or gas customers in PG&E, SoCalGas, SCE and SDG&E service territories who don’t meet the requirements for equity or equity resiliency.
California EV Charging Rebates
Some California utilities and municipalities have introduced their own EV rebates and incentives. These local incentives change often, as they tend to receive and run out of funding quickly.
Here are a few examples of California EV charger rebates as of fall 2024:
Grid Services
Grid Services programs can actively balance your energy needs with California’s power grid demands to help prevent blackouts. Through two distinct programs, we can help you realize more value for your system by working with power companies, wholesale energy markets, grid operators and other industry partners.
California Solar Financing
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Solar Panels Free in California?
While you might see ads for free solar panels in California, understand that there is no such thing as a free solar program. There are lease and power purchase agreement (PPA) options that enable homeowners to go solar for $0 down, but you’ll still have to pay for the cost of your system over time via monthly payments.
The U.S. government does not offer any type of program for free solar panels in California or anywhere else. There is a 30% federal tax credit available, where homeowners who purchase their systems via cash or a loan may qualify for a tax break for the year a system is installed.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in California?
Solar panels are priced per watt ($/W), with individual prices varying considerably by location, type of equipment, shape of your roof, installation costs and more. Solar system costs in California tend to range from $2.50 to $3 per watt.
The average size of a solar electric system has increased over the years, with today’s average around 8 kW, which can generate roughly 35 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power each day — enough to run the typical 2,000 square-foot home. Expect a solar system this size to run around $20,000 to $24,000 before incentives.
Keep in mind there are rebates and incentives available to homeowners who purchase their systems outright, and no-money-down options that come with predictable monthly payments for customers who opt for a lease or PPA.
What is NEM 3.0?
The third iteration of California’s net metering policy, NEM 3.0 is a switch to net billing that reduces the credit rate of sending solar power to the grid. Bill credits are now about 75% less, prompting solar customers to use more of their own solar energy since exporting it to the grid has become less valuable.
If you’re planning to install a solar-only system under NEM 3.0, there are ways to maximize your system’s value: shifting your high consumption periods, modifying the orientation of your rooftop array and reducing your system size to curtail excess production
Do I Need Battery Storage in California?
By devaluing solar-only systems, California’s new net billing structure makes batteries more desirable. Not only will adding battery storage help solar customers see a better return on their investment, but it can also offer relief from rising electricity prices, protection from on-peak rates during time-of-use (TOU) windows, and a backup power source during rolling blackouts and unplanned outages.
Will Solar Increase My Home Value?
A study by the Lawrence Berkeley Lab that’s now 10 years old found that solar added an average of $4 per watt to California homes compared to $3 per watt for homes elsewhere. That translated to an increased selling price of $20,000 in California.*
As for today’s market, an increase in home value is predominantly tied to what kind of appetite there is for solar in the respective market. If the solar system was purchased and is now paid off, it can certainly increase the selling price — especially if the current owner can demonstrate a decline in utility bills over time.
If the system was bought via a loan, it may be less appealing to a buyer since the loan will have to be transferred. Solar leases and PPAs may deter buyers, since the individual who purchases the home will have to take over the program with the solar provider, which owns the system.
Beyond Solar
Looking for more than solar or battery storage in California? We’ve got you covered with Level 2 EV chargers, solar repair services and several other home energy services.
