California Solar Incentives
& Tax Credits 2026
California solar owners: protect your NEM rates and unlock battery storage savings. Discover 3 programs that could save you $8,000–$15,000+ on your solar investment.
Potential Savings
$8,000–$15,000+
Programs Available
3
Avg System Size
7.5 kW
Net Metering
Moderate
Key Deadline: July 1, 2026
AB 942 could force NEM 1.0/2.0 customers with 10+ years on tariff to transition to NEM 3.0
Available Incentives & Programs
All current solar incentives for California homeowners
SGIP Battery Rebate (Equity)
$850–$1,000/kWh
Can cover 80–100% of battery costs for qualifying households. General market ~15% rebate. Available through PG&E, SCE, SoCalGas, SDG&E.
Property Tax Exemption
100% exemption
Full exclusion of added home value from solar installations from property tax assessments.
NEM 1.0/2.0 Grandfathering
20 years from PTO
Existing NEM 1.0/2.0 customers keep favorable rates for 20 years. Adding battery generally does NOT affect grandfathered status.
Net Metering in California
NEM 3.0 reduced export value ~75% for new customers. Existing NEM 1.0/2.0 customers are grandfathered for 20 years. Monitor AB 942 — it could force early transition.
Battery Storage Opportunity
SGIP equity category rebates of $850–$1,000/kWh can cover most or all of battery installation costs. Adding battery to existing solar generally preserves NEM grandfathering.
Check Battery EligibilityTop Solar Cities in California
Find Out Exactly What You Qualify For
Get a personalized report identifying every federal, state, and local incentive you're eligible for in California. Includes dollar estimates, application guidance, and matched installer recommendations.
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