San Diego Solar + Battery Decision Pack
Solar PanelsBattery Storage
What this pack covers
This Decision Pack covers a coordinated Solar Panels and Battery Storage project in San Diego, CA.
It assembles cost ranges, incentive eligibility, permit requirements, and the questions to ask before signing a contract. Every dollar figure and incentive shown is dated and sourced.
Your goal in one sentence
Plan a San Diego solar plus battery install that takes advantage of SD's high solar production while modeling NEM 3.0 (Net Billing Tariff) self-consumption on SDG&E, verifies current SGIP budget status with CSE (only RSSE accepts new applications as of 2026 and that budget is fully reserved with new apps on a waitlist), sequences SDG&E PTO plus City of SD DSD permits plus tile-roof or WUI handling where it applies, and is honest about the post-§25D federal credit landscape.
Recommended sequence
- Solar Panels — No prerequisites within this pack.
- Battery Storage — No prerequisites within this pack.
Who to contact
| Who | Why | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Solar + battery installer | Models solar production, battery behavior, NEM 3.0 economics, backup loads, and EV charging impact. | Solar scenario, battery scenario, future load model, backup-loads plan, EV charging plan. |
Opening script to send contractors
Hi, I'm in San Diego, CA and planning a project that includes Solar Panels, Battery Storage. I am looking for a quote that includes: 1. Solar Panels 2. Battery Storage Please tell me: - Will you perform a formal load calculation (Manual J for HVAC, Article 220 for electrical)? - Are you familiar with San Diego permits and any local rebate programs? - Can you give line-item pricing and separate confirmed incentives from assumed incentives? - Who handles permits, inspections, and rebate paperwork?
Technical basics in plain English
Panel size: 100A, 125A, 150A, 200A
Your electrical panel is the main entry point for electricity into your house. The 'A' means amps. More amps means more total electrical capacity. 100A is older and may not support adding heat pump + water heater + EV charger together without an upgrade or smart load management. 125A/150A is middle ground; could work with efficient equipment and a real load calculation. 200A is usually the cleanest path, but not guaranteed.
Ask: What is my panel size, and can you show me the load calculation that proves this setup is safe?
Load calculation
A load calculation is not the same as guessing. It is a code-based calculation that estimates whether your panel and service can safely carry all major electrical loads. A qualified electrician or contractor should be able to explain whether you need a panel upgrade, a service upgrade, or smart load management instead.
Ask: Are you doing a formal electrical load calculation, or just eyeballing the panel?
Smart load management
Smart load management lets devices avoid running at full power at the same time. For example, the EV charger may slow down while the heat pump or water heater is running. This can sometimes avoid an expensive panel or service upgrade.
Ask: Can smart load management avoid a service upgrade while still supporting future loads?
Battery backup: whole-home vs essential-loads
Whole-home backup tries to power almost everything during an outage. Essential-loads backup powers selected circuits (refrigerator, internet, lights, some outlets). Whole-home backup costs more and drains batteries faster. Essential-loads backup is usually more economical.
Ask: Are you quoting whole-home backup or essential-loads backup? Which specific circuits will be backed up?
Specific questions to ask
Questions for solar + battery installers
| Question | Good response | Bad response |
|---|---|---|
| How will you size the solar array for our future electric load (heat pump HVAC, EV, water heater)? | We model expected future usage including planned heat pump, EV miles, and water heater, then size the array to offset that load under NEM 3.0 export economics. | We size the system from last year's utility bill only. |
| How does NEM 3.0 change the economics versus older interconnections? | NEM 3.0 cut export compensation by ~75 percent versus NEM 2.0, which makes battery storage important for self-consumption. We model expected savings under NEM 3.0 specifically. | NEM 3.0 is the same as NEM 2.0 economically. |
| Is my roof suitable for solar, and what is its remaining lifetime? | We inspect the roof condition, slope, orientation, and shade pattern; we recommend roof replacement first if the roof is near end of life. | Any roof works. |
| Which panel and inverter brands do you recommend, and why? | We name the specific panel model (wattage, efficiency, temperature coefficient, degradation curve) and inverter brand (string vs microinverter), explain the tradeoffs for our roof, and provide the manufacturer datasheets. | We use whatever is cheapest in stock this month. |
| Will the array use string inverters, microinverters, or DC optimizers, and why? | We choose based on roof shading patterns and orientation: microinverters or optimizers for shaded or multi-orientation roofs, string inverters for unshaded uniform arrays. We explain the cost and monitoring tradeoff. | Microinverters are always best. |
| What does the shade analysis show for our roof across the year? | We run a shade analysis tool (HelioScope, Aurora, or similar) using a site survey and roof imagery, and we share the annual production estimate per panel with shade losses called out. | Shade is not significant. |
| Do you offer a production guarantee, and how is it enforced? | We offer an annual production guarantee in kWh based on the design model, and we explain the remediation path (true-up payment or system correction) if actual production falls below the threshold. | Production guarantees are a marketing gimmick. |
| What monitoring platform comes with the system, and are there subscription fees? | We name the monitoring platform (Enphase Enlighten, SolarEdge mySolarEdge, or similar), describe what data is visible per panel or per string, and disclose any optional or recurring fees. | Monitoring is included; do not worry about the details. |
| If we add a battery later, can we still apply for SGIP at that time? | Yes — SGIP applications are tied to the battery install, not the solar install. As of 2026, only the AB 209-funded RSSE (Residential Solar and Storage Equity) tier remains open to new applications, and that budget is fully reserved with new apps on a waitlist served via attrition; ratepayer-funded General Market / Equity / Equity Resiliency budgets are no longer accepting new applications. We verify current SGIP budget status at selfgenca.com when the battery is added and explain that pre-approval is required before equipment is delivered. | SGIP only counts if solar and battery are installed together. |
| Who handles the PG&E interconnection paperwork, and what is the typical timeline? | We submit the PG&E interconnection application on your behalf, file the city permits, and coordinate Permission to Operate (PTO). Typical PG&E PTO timelines range from 2 to 6 weeks after the city sign-off; we document the expected window in the quote. | Interconnection happens automatically. |
| What is your post-install commissioning checklist? | Commissioning includes verifying each panel reports correctly in the monitoring platform, checking inverter firmware, confirming production matches the design model on a clear day, and walking us through reading the monitoring app. | We turn it on and leave. |
| How will you confirm the roof structure supports the array? | We perform a structural assessment including rafter sizing, spacing, and condition; for older or unusual roofs we may engage a licensed structural engineer to provide a letter for the permit submittal. | Roofs always handle solar. |
| How will the array meet California fire-setback rules? | We design the array to meet the California Residential Code fire access pathway requirements: ridge setbacks, hip-to-eave pathways, and emergency egress clearances, and we document compliance in the permit submittal. | Fire setbacks are optional. |
| What ongoing maintenance does the system need? | Typical maintenance is light: annual visual inspection, occasional rinse if local dust or pollen reduces production, and inverter firmware updates pushed by the manufacturer. We explain the warranty implications of skipping recommended maintenance. | Solar is install-and-forget; no maintenance ever. |
| What warranties cover the panels, inverter, and labor? | Panels typically carry a 25 year product warranty plus a 25 year linear production warranty; inverters carry 10 to 12 years standard (extendable); we provide a 5 to 10 year labor warranty separately. We document what voids each. | Lifetime warranty on everything. |
| SD is known for some of the highest solar production in California. How do you model production for a specific SD address? | We use PVsyst or HelioScope with NREL TMY3 data for the nearest SD station (Lindbergh Field for coastal, Miramar or El Cajon for inland) and apply a small microclimate derate where coastal marine layer is significant (Mission Beach, La Jolla mornings can lose a few percent). Typical SD production runs 15-20 percent above SF for the same roof orientation. We do a 12-month model with monthly breakdown and share it. We do not promise specific kWh production; we provide a model. | SD always gets the same production everywhere. |
| How does NEM 3.0 (Net Billing Tariff) affect the export economics for a typical SD rooftop on SDG&E? | NEM 3.0 took effect April 15, 2023 for new SDG&E interconnections. Export compensation is roughly 75 percent lower than NEM 2.0 and varies hourly by the Avoided Cost Calculator (ACC) rates. A solar-only system with limited self-consumption performs poorly on payback. We model self-consumption with and without battery to show the difference. SDG&E charges a $132 interconnection request fee. We share the ACC export-price hourly schedule we used and the year-1 cost comparison. | NEM 3.0 is fine; you'll still net to zero on your bill. |
| Do you offer a production guarantee on the SD install? | We use Aurora, HelioScope, or PVsyst to produce a year-1 modeled kWh number for your specific roof, then offer a production guarantee at 90-95 percent of modeled output. If production falls below the guarantee in year one, the remedy is documented in the contract (typically a check for the kWh shortfall at the locked-in retail rate, or a system check-up at no charge). We do not call this a savings guarantee; that is a different claim. | We guarantee you will save 80 percent on your bill. |
| Microinverters (Enphase IQ8 series) or string inverter with optimizers (SolarEdge) for an SD roof? | We compare both based on your roof. Microinverters fit best where the roof has multiple orientations or shading from neighboring trees or chimneys. String + optimizers can be slightly cheaper on a single clean south-facing slope. We share the modeled production for both topologies. Battery-ready coupling differs: Enphase pairs with IQ Battery (AC-coupled); SolarEdge pairs with their own Energy Bank (DC-coupled) or AC-couples with most batteries. | Microinverters are always better; string is obsolete. |
| My SD home has a 25-year-old composition roof. Should I re-roof before solar? | If the roof has fewer than 10-12 years of remaining life we recommend re-roofing first, because removing and reinstalling a solar array later runs $2,000-$5,000 in labor depending on size. SD's mild climate is relatively kind to composition shingles, but the 25-year mark is the typical replacement point. We share the roof assessment in writing; if it is borderline we show the cost comparison of re-roof-now vs solar-now-plus-remove-reinstall-later. | Roof age does not matter; just install on top. |
| We have a Spanish-style clay tile roof. How does that change the structural and racking approach? | Clay or concrete tile roofs require tile-hook flashing, not standard composition lag-bolt flashing, and the installer has to either remove and reinstall the tile around each penetration or use a tile-replacement bracket. Tile racking adds material cost and labor. We document the rack type (e.g. Quick Mount PV Tile Replacement, IronRidge Tile Hook) and confirm the structural review accounts for the dead load of the tile. | Tile roofs use the same racking as composition. |
| We are in the East County foothills the City marked as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. How does that affect the array layout? | CRC R327 / R337 sets roof access pathway and ridge-clearance requirements for solar arrays in WUI zones. Typical requirements include a 36-inch wide pathway from eave to ridge, a 36-inch clearance to the ridge along the array, and an unobstructed pathway between arrays. The City of SD adopted updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps effective August 30, 2025. We confirm the WUI zone for the address and document the setback dimensions in the permit drawings. | Fire setbacks only apply to commercial. |
| What are the warranty terms on panels, inverters, and the install labor? | Panel manufacturers typically offer a 25-year linear performance warranty and 12-25 year product warranty (varies by brand). Inverter warranties run 10-12 years (string) or 25 years (Enphase microinverters). Install-labor warranty is separate and typically 5-10 years. We share all three terms in writing and explain what voids each (manufacturer voids on non-authorized installer; labor voids on tampering or non-permitted modifications). | Everything is covered for life. |
| A neighbor's mature palm or eucalyptus shades part of our south-facing roof. What can we do? | We do a shading analysis using HelioScope or Aurora and model the array with the current shading. California Solar Rights Act (Public Resources Code 25980-25986) and the Solar Shade Control Act limit certain tree-shading effects on existing solar arrays, but the rules are nuanced and we do not advise on the legal side. We design the array to minimize shade impact (microinverters or string optimizers, panel layout) and document the modeled production loss. | Solar Rights Act lets you cut down any neighbor's tree. |
| How does dust and the salt air affect long-term production in SD? | SD's dry summers and seasonal Santa Ana wind events deposit dust on panels; coastal homes also get salt-air. We use a 3-5 percent annual soiling derate in the production model for typical SD addresses. Rainy seasons typically clean the panels naturally; we do not recommend paid washing services unless soiling visibly exceeds the model. For coastal homes we spec coastal-rated frames and clamps and document them in the proposal. | Soiling does not exist in SD; you do not need to clean panels. |
| What monitoring platform do you use and what does commissioning look like? | Common platforms are Enphase Enlighten (microinverter systems), SolarEdge mySolarEdge (string with optimizers), and Aurora or HelioScope for design-side modeling. Commissioning includes measured array Voc / Isc, inverter power output at startup, communication with the monitoring platform, and the SDG&E PTO submission. We give you a one-page commissioning report and the monitoring login. We do not consider the install complete until the monitoring shows production. | Monitoring is optional; just turn it on and walk away. |
| How do you handle NEC 690 PV installation and the NEC 705.12 120 percent rule on the panel interconnection? | NEC 690 governs PV-system wiring (conductor sizing, disconnect placement, rapid shutdown per 690.12). NEC 705.12 sets the 120 percent rule for combined inverter sources plus main breaker against the busbar rating; we verify the existing panel busbar rating, the main breaker, and the planned PV breaker against the calculation. If the busbar fails the calc we recommend a line-side tap, a sub-panel, or a main-breaker derate. We document the calc in the permit. | 705.12 is optional; the inspector never checks. |
| Which circuits will be backed up during an outage, and for how long? | We provide a backup-loads list (refrigerator, internet, lights, HVAC controls, well pump if any), estimate runtime in hours at typical and worst-case usage, and explain whether whole-home or essential-loads backup is recommended. | The battery powers the house. |
| Does my install qualify for SGIP (Self-Generation Incentive Program), and at what tier? | We verify current SGIP budget status before quoting: as of December 31, 2025 the ratepayer-funded General Market, Equity, and Equity Resiliency budgets are closed to new applications, and only the AB 209-funded RSSE (Residential Solar and Storage Equity) tier remains open — and that budget is fully reserved with new applications served via an attrition-based waitlist (selfgenca.com). We document the waitlist position rather than promising a rebate, and we explain that pre-approval is required before equipment is delivered. | SGIP always pays out the maximum amount. |
| What is the battery's usable kWh and continuous inverter power, and how do they relate? | We specify both: kWh determines how long the backup lasts; the inverter's continuous AC output determines what can run at once (refrigerator + lights + maybe HVAC vs everything). | kWh is the only number that matters. |
| Is the battery AC-coupled or DC-coupled with the solar array, and why? | AC-coupled batteries use a separate inverter and are easier to retrofit to existing solar. DC-coupled batteries share an inverter with new solar and are typically more efficient end-to-end. We choose based on whether the solar array is new or existing. | Coupling does not matter. |
| Can we add more battery capacity later, and what are the limits? | Most modern systems support stacking additional units up to a vendor-specified maximum. We document the maximum stack today, what is needed to add capacity later (matching firmware, software update, possible electrical re-work), and whether SGIP can be applied to expansion units. | Buy the biggest battery today; expansion is impossible. |
| What depth-of-discharge limit does the battery use, and how does that affect usable kWh? | We explain the nameplate kWh vs usable kWh: modern LFP batteries reserve very little for cycle life (often 95 to 100 percent of nameplate is usable); older chemistries reserve 10 to 20 percent. We quote usable kWh in the proposal so you can compare like-for-like. | Nameplate kWh is the usable kWh. |
| What is the manufacturer warranty on the battery, and what limits it? | Most residential batteries carry a 10 to 12 year warranty, often paired with a cycle count (e.g. 6,000 to 10,000 cycles) or throughput limit (e.g. 37.8 MWh) - whichever comes first. We provide the spec sheet and explain what voids coverage. | Lifetime warranty; no fine print. |
| Are time-of-use arbitrage cycles counted against the warranty? | Yes. Every charge-discharge cycle counts toward the throughput limit; aggressive daily TOU arbitrage may shorten the years-based warranty window. We model expected cycles per year for your usage pattern. | Cycling does not count against the warranty. |
| How will the battery shift load away from PG&E peak hours? | We program the battery to charge from solar during midday and discharge during the PG&E EV2-A or E-ELEC peak window (typically 4-9pm), saving you the peak-period delta. We tune the schedule for your actual usage and rate plan. | The battery charges and discharges whenever. |
| How does NEM 3.0 change the battery payback? | Under NEM 3.0, export compensation dropped by roughly 75 percent, so self-consumption (using your solar via the battery instead of exporting) is now the primary battery economic driver. We model expected savings under NEM 3.0 with your specific rate plan. | NEM 3.0 has no effect on battery payback. |
| How will the install meet CRC 1207 / R327 fire-setback rules for energy storage? | We design the install per California Residential Code R327 (formerly section 1207): separation from windows, doors, openings into the dwelling, and other batteries; smoke and heat detectors per code; and an exterior wall location where possible. We document compliance in the permit submittal. | Fire setbacks are optional. |
| What is your post-install commissioning checklist? | Commissioning includes verifying battery state-of-charge reporting, testing backup-mode transfer with a simulated outage, walking through the app for backup-only vs TOU modes, and confirming the SGIP system performance metering is functioning if SGIP is part of the project. | We turn it on and leave. |
| Are you an installer certified by the battery manufacturer? | Yes. We provide our certification number for the specific battery brand (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ, LG Chem RESU, FranklinWH, etc.); certification is typically required to preserve full warranty coverage. | Certification does not matter for batteries. |
| Who handles the PG&E interconnection update for the new battery? | We submit the updated PG&E interconnection paperwork to add the battery to your existing or new solar interconnection, and we obtain the updated Permission to Operate before energizing. | PG&E interconnection happens automatically. |
| What panel-side breaker work or interconnection method does the battery require? | We confirm whether the battery interconnects via a back-fed breaker (with sum-of-breakers check per NEC 705.12), a supply-side tap, or a dedicated battery sub-panel; we show the calculation on the permit drawings. | Any spare slot will work. |
| How does SGIP apply for a residential battery in SDG&E territory and who administers it? | SGIP in SDG&E territory is administered by Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE, energycenter.org, sgipsd.org), not by SDG&E directly. Budget status as of 2026: per the program administrator, the ratepayer-funded Residential General (around $150 per kWh), Equity (around $850 per kWh), and Equity Resiliency (around $1,000 per kWh for high-fire-threat-district or low-income medical-baseline customers) budgets are no longer accepting new applications. Only the AB 209-funded RSSE (Residential Solar and Storage Equity) tier remains open — and that budget is fully reserved as of December 31, 2025; new applications go to a waitlist served through attrition of cancelled projects. RSSE rates were around $1,100 per kWh storage plus around $3,100 per kW solar, targeted at income-qualified solar-plus-battery customers. Pre-approval is required before installation; we verify current budget status at sgipsd.org and selfgenca.com before quoting, reserve through CSE when the path is open, and document the reservation number (or waitlist position) in the proposal. We confirm only what we have reserved; we do not assume eligibility. | You will receive SGIP for the whole battery cost. |
| How does the battery improve solar payback under NEM 3.0 in San Diego on SDG&E? | Under NEM 3.0, exporting to the grid pays roughly 75 percent less than under NEM 2.0. A battery stores midday solar for use during the 4-9pm peak window, which is the highest-rate window on SDG&E TOU-DR1 and EV-TOU-5. We model self-consumption ratio (typically 60-80 percent with battery vs 30-50 percent solar-only) and share the year-1 cost comparison. | Adding a battery always cuts your bill in half. |
| AC or DC coupling for the battery — and how does that interact with my existing SD solar inverter? | DC-coupled batteries (Tesla Powerwall 3 with integrated PV inverter, SolarEdge Energy Bank with SolarEdge inverter) share one inverter for solar and battery, which is more efficient and cheaper if you are installing solar and battery at once. AC-coupled batteries (Enphase IQ Battery, FranklinWH, LG Energy Solution RESU paired with a separate hybrid inverter) bolt onto an existing solar array. For a battery-only retrofit on existing solar AC-coupled is the path; for new combined solar plus battery either works and we model the cost difference. | AC vs DC does not matter at all. |
| What is on the backup-loads list for a typical SD home? | Common backup loads we size for include lights, refrigerator, freezer, internet router and modem, garage door opener, and at least one outlet circuit. SD does not have PG&E-style PSPS shutoffs, so battery backup runtime targets are typically a few hours of evening peak coverage plus occasional storm outages, not the 8-24 hour PSPS-driven sizing common in PG&E territory. For homes with medical equipment or remote work needs we add specific circuits. We share the list so you can edit before sign-off. | The battery runs your whole house automatically. |
| Should we install one battery or scale to two or three? | Typical SD residential sizing is one 10-15 kWh battery (Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase IQ Battery 10, FranklinWH aPower 2) for evening peak-shifting; two units for whole-house backup; three units for off-grid-style resilience. We size against your backup-loads list (kWh per outage hour) and your TOU peak-window kWh. SGIP rebate scales by usable kWh, so a larger system pulls more rebate but the marginal payback diminishes after the second unit. | Always install three; bigger is always better. |
| Critical-loads panel or whole-house backup with an automatic transfer switch? | Critical-loads panel (a small sub-panel that holds only the backup circuits) is the simpler and cheaper path; whole-house backup uses a Tesla Gateway 3 or equivalent automatic transfer switch on the main, which costs more but transfers everything. The whole-house path needs careful load management to avoid tripping the battery's inverter output limit (typically 5-10 kW continuous per battery). We share both options with cost. | Whole-house is the only option. |
| What is depth of discharge (DoD) and how does it affect usable capacity? | LFP (lithium iron phosphate, the chemistry used in Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase IQ Battery, and most current residential batteries) is rated for high DoD — typically 95-100 percent of nameplate kWh is usable. NMC chemistries had lower DoD (80-90 percent). We quote the usable kWh, not the nameplate, in the proposal. Cycle warranty assumes the battery is cycled within the rated DoD. | DoD is marketing; ignore it. |
| What does the battery warranty actually cover? | Battery warranties have three terms: years (typically 10), cycles (typically 4,000-10,000), and total throughput in MWh. The warranty pays out on whichever limit you hit first. We share the manufacturer warranty document and explain how daily cycling at the nameplate rating would deplete the throughput limit over the warranty years. Install-labor warranty is separate (typically 5-10 years). We do not call the install lifetime-protected; it is not. | Battery warranty covers everything forever. |
| How long will the battery actually run my SD home during an outage? | Runtime depends on the loaded circuits, the kWh available, and whether the sun is producing. For a 13.5 kWh battery powering a typical critical-loads panel (lights, fridge, internet, a few outlets) at around 1 kWh per hour, expect roughly 12 hours overnight, then solar refills during the day. We model the runtime against the specific loads-list and the time of year, and we share the model. We do not promise a single runtime number without inputs. | You will run for a week off the battery. |
| How do you handle NEC Article 706 (ESS) and the NEC 705.12 120 percent rule on the SD panel? | NEC 706 governs energy storage system wiring (conductor sizing, ventilation, signage). NEC 705.12 sets the 120 percent rule for combined inverter sources plus main breaker against the busbar rating; we verify the existing panel busbar rating, the main breaker, and the planned battery-inverter breaker against the calculation. If the busbar fails we recommend a line-side tap, a sub-panel, or a main-breaker derate. We document the calc in the permit. | 705.12 only matters for solar, not for batteries. |
| What UL listings should the battery have? | We confirm the battery is UL 9540 listed (system-level energy-storage safety) and the cells inside are UL 9540A tested (cell-level thermal-runaway propagation test). UL 9540A is what fire authorities cite when approving residential installs and is required by many AHJs including City of SD for outdoor and garage installs. We share the listing documents. | UL ratings do not matter at the residential level. |
| Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase IQ Battery, or FranklinWH for SD? | Tesla Powerwall 3 has an integrated PV inverter (DC-coupled with optional AC), 11.5 kW continuous output, and a 13.5 kWh nameplate; works well as a combined new-install solar plus battery. Enphase IQ Battery (10 kWh or 5 kWh modules) AC-couples cleanly with Enphase microinverter solar; modular sizing. FranklinWH aPower 2 (15 kWh, 10 kW continuous) is AC-coupled with strong load-management features and works retrofit. We compare based on existing solar, sizing, and price; we share the comparison. | Tesla is the only option. |
| What does the monitoring look like day-to-day? | Tesla app, Enphase Enlighten, and FranklinWH app all show real-time power flow (solar, home, battery, grid), historical charts, and TOU schedule controls. We commission the app login during install, walk you through the backup-mode toggle and the TOU peak-shift schedule, and confirm communication with SDG&E AMI metering. We share login docs. | Monitoring is just a gimmick. |
| Any grounding considerations under NEC Article 250 for the ESS install? | NEC 250 grounding electrode requirements apply to the ESS the same way they apply to a service. We verify the existing grounding electrode system (rod or rebar-encased electrode), confirm the conductor size for the new ESS rating, and bond as required. For installs where the existing grounding is degraded (older SD homes sometimes have single-rod systems below current code) we upgrade per current NEC and document the work in the permit. | Grounding does not need to be touched for batteries. |
| We are in an East County WUI zone the City marked as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Does the SGIP Equity Resiliency tier apply? | SGIP Equity Resiliency was designed for customers in high-fire-threat districts (per CPUC HFTD map) and on the Medical Baseline program, with significantly higher per-kWh incentives than General or Equity. Many East County and inland-SD addresses fall in HFTD Tier 2 or Tier 3. As of 2026 the ratepayer-funded Equity Resiliency budget is no longer accepting new applications — only the AB 209-funded RSSE (Residential Solar and Storage Equity) tier remains open, and that budget is fully reserved with new applications on a waitlist via attrition. We verify the HFTD designation against the CPUC fire-threat map and walk through eligibility honestly before listing any SGIP line item, but practical access in 2026 is limited to the RSSE waitlist for income-qualified solar-plus-battery projects. Approval is not automatic; we list any SGIP path as pending until confirmed via sgipsd.org / CSE. | Equity Resiliency is automatic in SD; you qualify. |
| What does battery commissioning look like at the end of the install? | Commissioning includes measured State of Charge after first charge cycle, inverter output verification at the panel, backup-loads cutover test (simulated grid outage), TOU schedule programming, app login confirmation, and SDG&E communication test. We give you a one-page commissioning report with measured values and the technician name. We do not consider the install complete without it. | Commissioning is a buzzword; the battery either works or it does not. |
General questions for every contractor
| Question | Good response | Bad response |
|---|---|---|
| Does the federal Section 25D residential clean energy credit apply to my installation? | Section 25D expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21). Installations completed in 2026 or later do not qualify for the 30 percent §25D credit. | You will receive the 30 percent federal credit on your taxes. |
| Does TECH Clean California currently offer a solar incentive? | TECH Clean California primarily targets heat pump HVAC and heat pump water heaters, not standalone solar. We verify current TECH program scope at techcleanca.com before citing any incentive. | TECH covers solar; assume the rebate applies. |
| Are BayREN Home+ rebates available for our solar or solar plus battery project? | BayREN Home+ is primarily a building shell and heat-pump program for Bay Area homeowners; we verify whether a solar or battery incentive is currently active at bayren.org and explain the application path if so. | BayREN always pays out for solar. |
| What is the best next step before signing a solar contract? | Get a written quote with line-item pricing including the design model output (kWh per year), shade analysis, panel and inverter make and model, permit and PG&E interconnection fees, production guarantee terms, and warranty terms. | Sign today to lock in pricing before incentives change. |
| How do solar permits work with the City of San Diego DSD? | We pull a City of SD DSD electrical permit through opendsd.sandiego.gov plus a structural review if required. SD DSD has been an active SolarAPP+ participant for streamlined permitting on standard residential rooftop designs; we use SolarAPP+ when eligible. PTO (permission to operate) from SDG&E typically takes 2-6 weeks after final inspection. We share all permit applications and inspection cards. Same-day issuance is common for SolarAPP+-eligible designs. | Solar permits are universal same-day in SD. |
| Does the federal Section 25D residential clean-energy credit apply to a 2026 SD solar install? | Section 25D expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21). Installs placed in service in 2026 or later do not qualify. Any contractor who quotes a §25D federal credit for a 2026 SD install has it wrong; flag that as a red flag and ask for a corrected quote. | §25D still applies in 2026; you will receive 30 percent on your taxes. |
| I bought a newer SD home that was built under the Title 24 Solar Mandate but has no panels. How does that affect a retrofit? | California's Title 24 Solar Mandate applies to new construction permits filed after January 1, 2020; many newer SD homes are pre-wired for solar even if no panels were installed. We confirm whether the home has a dedicated solar-ready conduit run from roof to main panel and whether a 200A panel was pre-installed; both shorten the install. For homes outside the mandate (built before 2020) we follow standard retrofit conduit and panel-side-work. | All California homes are Title 24 ready. |
| How does the SDG&E interconnection process work and what is the timeline? | We submit the SDG&E NEM application after install with the inverter cut sheet, single-line diagram, electrical-permit final card, and the $132 interconnection-request fee. SDG&E reviews and issues PTO; typical timeline runs 2-6 weeks but has occasionally stretched longer. The Net Billing Tariff agreement is then activated. We do not let you turn the system on before PTO; doing so risks losing the agreement and incurring penalties. | Turn the system on as soon as the panels are mounted; PTO is a formality. |
| I am planning HP HVAC, HPWH, and an EV charger later. Should you size the solar for current usage or future load? | We size for the future modeled load, not the past 12 months. We work with your stated electrification plan (HP HVAC + HPWH + EV charger + future battery) and run a Manual J for HVAC plus a load-aggregation table for the rest. NEM 3.0 economics favor self-consumption, so the array size is tied to the future consumption pattern not the past. We share the future-load assumption sheet. | We size from last year's bill only. |
| I have read about BayREN solar incentives. Does any of that apply in SD? | BayREN is a nine-county Bay Area program; it does not cover San Diego. The SD solar-incentive landscape is now primarily federal-less (§25D expired Dec 31 2025) and SGIP for storage administered by CSE. We do not list BayREN in SD quotes. We list confirmed line items only: SDG&E PTO + NEM 3.0 agreement, SGIP for any battery, any active SDCP program at the time of contract. | BayREN applies statewide; you qualify for SD. |
| Does enrolling in SDCP Power100 instead of the default PowerOn change the solar economics? | Slightly. Power100 adds about $0.01 per kWh to the supplier side of your bill, which is a real cost that shows up before the solar offset. The solar array itself does not care which SDCP product you are on; what changes is the cost of the grid kWh you import (slightly higher under Power100). We share the modeled bill on PowerOn vs Power100 with and without solar so you can decide. | Power100 is required for solar. |
| What is the best next step before signing an SD solar contract? | Schedule the site visit, get the PVsyst or HelioScope production model with neighborhood-microclimate derate, confirm SolarAPP+ eligibility through SD DSD, decide on the NEM 3.0 self-consumption strategy (solar-only vs solar plus battery with SGIP), and get a written quote with all line items: panels, inverter, racking, labor, permits, structural review, monitoring. Compare two or three bids on the same scope. | Sign today; the prices are going up. |
| Does the federal Section 25D residential clean energy credit apply to my battery install? | Section 25D expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21). Battery installations completed in 2026 or later do not qualify for the 30 percent §25D credit. | You will receive the 30 percent federal credit on your taxes. |
| Does HEEHRA or TECH Clean California currently offer a battery incentive? | Neither HEEHRA nor TECH primarily fund residential batteries; SGIP is the main California battery program. We verify current TECH scope at techcleanca.com and HEEHRA status at energy.ca.gov before citing any battery incentive. | HEEHRA covers batteries automatically. |
| Will the quote separate confirmed SGIP incentives from assumed? | Yes. SGIP is marked confirmed only after pre-approval is granted and the funding tier is reserved; we mark the line as assumed in the quote until then and explain the reservation status. | All listed incentives are yours. |
| What is the best next step before signing a battery contract? | Get a written quote with line-item pricing including usable kWh, continuous AC inverter output, AC vs DC coupling, manufacturer warranty terms (years AND cycles AND throughput), labor warranty separately, SJPermits.org permit fees, PG&E interconnection plan, and an honest SGIP workflow: as of December 31, 2025 only the AB 209-funded RSSE budget accepts new applications and it is fully reserved (attrition-based waitlist via selfgenca.com), so the proposal documents the waitlist position rather than promising a rebate. | Sign today to lock in SGIP before funding runs out. |
| What does the City of San Diego DSD permit process look like for a battery install? | We pull a City of SD DSD electrical permit through opendsd.sandiego.gov. For wall-mounted batteries we also confirm structural attachment per the manufacturer install manual. Fire setback follows CRC R327 / R337; we document the setback measurements in the permit. Final card sign-off happens at inspection. We share all permit copies. | Batteries don't need permits in SD for under 20 kWh. |
| Does the federal Section 25D credit apply to a 2026 SD battery install? | Section 25D expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21). Installs placed in service in 2026 or later do not qualify. Any contractor who quotes a §25D federal credit for a 2026 SD battery install has it wrong; flag that as a red flag. SGIP via CSE remains the primary California incentive for storage. | §25D still applies; you will receive 30 percent on your taxes. |
| How does the SDG&E interconnection process work for a battery alongside or after solar? | Battery interconnection on SDG&E follows the NEM 3.0 Net Billing Tariff agreement. For a battery added to existing solar we submit an amended interconnection application; for a combined new solar plus battery the agreement is part of the original NEM 3.0 application. SDG&E charges a $132 interconnection request fee. Typical timeline runs 2-6 weeks. We do not let you operate the battery in export mode before PTO; doing so risks losing the agreement. | Just turn it on; SDG&E does not check. |
| What is the best next step before signing an SD battery contract? | Schedule a site visit, verify SGIP budget status with CSE on sgipsd.org / selfgenca.com (as of December 31, 2025 only the AB 209-funded RSSE budget accepts new applications and it is fully reserved — new apps go to an attrition-based waitlist; we document the waitlist position rather than promising a rebate), decide on the backup-loads list and battery sizing, run the NEM 3.0 self-consumption model on your SDG&E rate plan, and get a written quote with line-item pricing: battery hardware, inverter, gateway, installation labor, SD DSD permits, structural attachment if wall-mounted, monitoring setup. Compare two or three bids on the same scope and battery brand. | Sign today; SGIP funding will run out tomorrow. |
Good vs reasonable vs bad answers
| Question | Good | Reasonable | Bad |
|---|---|---|---|
| How will you size the solar array for our future electric load (heat pump HVAC, EV, water heater)? | We model expected future usage including planned heat pump, EV miles, and water heater, then size the array to offset that load under NEM 3.0 export economics. | — | We size the system from last year's utility bill only. |
| How does NEM 3.0 change the economics versus older interconnections? | NEM 3.0 cut export compensation by ~75 percent versus NEM 2.0, which makes battery storage important for self-consumption. We model expected savings under NEM 3.0 specifically. | — | NEM 3.0 is the same as NEM 2.0 economically. |
| Is my roof suitable for solar, and what is its remaining lifetime? | We inspect the roof condition, slope, orientation, and shade pattern; we recommend roof replacement first if the roof is near end of life. | — | Any roof works. |
| Which panel and inverter brands do you recommend, and why? | We name the specific panel model (wattage, efficiency, temperature coefficient, degradation curve) and inverter brand (string vs microinverter), explain the tradeoffs for our roof, and provide the manufacturer datasheets. | — | We use whatever is cheapest in stock this month. |
| Will the array use string inverters, microinverters, or DC optimizers, and why? | We choose based on roof shading patterns and orientation: microinverters or optimizers for shaded or multi-orientation roofs, string inverters for unshaded uniform arrays. We explain the cost and monitoring tradeoff. | — | Microinverters are always best. |
| What does the shade analysis show for our roof across the year? | We run a shade analysis tool (HelioScope, Aurora, or similar) using a site survey and roof imagery, and we share the annual production estimate per panel with shade losses called out. | — | Shade is not significant. |
| Do you offer a production guarantee, and how is it enforced? | We offer an annual production guarantee in kWh based on the design model, and we explain the remediation path (true-up payment or system correction) if actual production falls below the threshold. | — | Production guarantees are a marketing gimmick. |
| What monitoring platform comes with the system, and are there subscription fees? | We name the monitoring platform (Enphase Enlighten, SolarEdge mySolarEdge, or similar), describe what data is visible per panel or per string, and disclose any optional or recurring fees. | — | Monitoring is included; do not worry about the details. |
| If we add a battery later, can we still apply for SGIP at that time? | Yes — SGIP applications are tied to the battery install, not the solar install. As of 2026, only the AB 209-funded RSSE (Residential Solar and Storage Equity) tier remains open to new applications, and that budget is fully reserved with new apps on a waitlist served via attrition; ratepayer-funded General Market / Equity / Equity Resiliency budgets are no longer accepting new applications. We verify current SGIP budget status at selfgenca.com when the battery is added and explain that pre-approval is required before equipment is delivered. | — | SGIP only counts if solar and battery are installed together. |
| Does the federal Section 25D residential clean energy credit apply to my installation? | Section 25D expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21). Installations completed in 2026 or later do not qualify for the 30 percent §25D credit. | — | You will receive the 30 percent federal credit on your taxes. |
| Does TECH Clean California currently offer a solar incentive? | TECH Clean California primarily targets heat pump HVAC and heat pump water heaters, not standalone solar. We verify current TECH program scope at techcleanca.com before citing any incentive. | — | TECH covers solar; assume the rebate applies. |
| Are BayREN Home+ rebates available for our solar or solar plus battery project? | BayREN Home+ is primarily a building shell and heat-pump program for Bay Area homeowners; we verify whether a solar or battery incentive is currently active at bayren.org and explain the application path if so. | — | BayREN always pays out for solar. |
| Who handles the PG&E interconnection paperwork, and what is the typical timeline? | We submit the PG&E interconnection application on your behalf, file the city permits, and coordinate Permission to Operate (PTO). Typical PG&E PTO timelines range from 2 to 6 weeks after the city sign-off; we document the expected window in the quote. | — | Interconnection happens automatically. |
| What is your post-install commissioning checklist? | Commissioning includes verifying each panel reports correctly in the monitoring platform, checking inverter firmware, confirming production matches the design model on a clear day, and walking us through reading the monitoring app. | — | We turn it on and leave. |
| How will you confirm the roof structure supports the array? | We perform a structural assessment including rafter sizing, spacing, and condition; for older or unusual roofs we may engage a licensed structural engineer to provide a letter for the permit submittal. | — | Roofs always handle solar. |
| How will the array meet California fire-setback rules? | We design the array to meet the California Residential Code fire access pathway requirements: ridge setbacks, hip-to-eave pathways, and emergency egress clearances, and we document compliance in the permit submittal. | — | Fire setbacks are optional. |
| What ongoing maintenance does the system need? | Typical maintenance is light: annual visual inspection, occasional rinse if local dust or pollen reduces production, and inverter firmware updates pushed by the manufacturer. We explain the warranty implications of skipping recommended maintenance. | — | Solar is install-and-forget; no maintenance ever. |
| What warranties cover the panels, inverter, and labor? | Panels typically carry a 25 year product warranty plus a 25 year linear production warranty; inverters carry 10 to 12 years standard (extendable); we provide a 5 to 10 year labor warranty separately. We document what voids each. | — | Lifetime warranty on everything. |
| What is the best next step before signing a solar contract? | Get a written quote with line-item pricing including the design model output (kWh per year), shade analysis, panel and inverter make and model, permit and PG&E interconnection fees, production guarantee terms, and warranty terms. | — | Sign today to lock in pricing before incentives change. |
| SD is known for some of the highest solar production in California. How do you model production for a specific SD address? | We use PVsyst or HelioScope with NREL TMY3 data for the nearest SD station (Lindbergh Field for coastal, Miramar or El Cajon for inland) and apply a small microclimate derate where coastal marine layer is significant (Mission Beach, La Jolla mornings can lose a few percent). Typical SD production runs 15-20 percent above SF for the same roof orientation. We do a 12-month model with monthly breakdown and share it. We do not promise specific kWh production; we provide a model. | We model production per neighborhood and share the report; SD coastal vs inland can vary several percent. | SD always gets the same production everywhere. |
| How does NEM 3.0 (Net Billing Tariff) affect the export economics for a typical SD rooftop on SDG&E? | NEM 3.0 took effect April 15, 2023 for new SDG&E interconnections. Export compensation is roughly 75 percent lower than NEM 2.0 and varies hourly by the Avoided Cost Calculator (ACC) rates. A solar-only system with limited self-consumption performs poorly on payback. We model self-consumption with and without battery to show the difference. SDG&E charges a $132 interconnection request fee. We share the ACC export-price hourly schedule we used and the year-1 cost comparison. | NEM 3.0 makes battery storage important for payback in SD; we model both options. | NEM 3.0 is fine; you'll still net to zero on your bill. |
| How do solar permits work with the City of San Diego DSD? | We pull a City of SD DSD electrical permit through opendsd.sandiego.gov plus a structural review if required. SD DSD has been an active SolarAPP+ participant for streamlined permitting on standard residential rooftop designs; we use SolarAPP+ when eligible. PTO (permission to operate) from SDG&E typically takes 2-6 weeks after final inspection. We share all permit applications and inspection cards. Same-day issuance is common for SolarAPP+-eligible designs. | We use SolarAPP+ when eligible; otherwise standard SD DSD plan check applies. | Solar permits are universal same-day in SD. |
| Does the federal Section 25D residential clean-energy credit apply to a 2026 SD solar install? | Section 25D expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21). Installs placed in service in 2026 or later do not qualify. Any contractor who quotes a §25D federal credit for a 2026 SD install has it wrong; flag that as a red flag and ask for a corrected quote. | §25D does not apply to 2026 installs; the federal stack is gone for solar. We model payback without it. | §25D still applies in 2026; you will receive 30 percent on your taxes. |
| Do you offer a production guarantee on the SD install? | We use Aurora, HelioScope, or PVsyst to produce a year-1 modeled kWh number for your specific roof, then offer a production guarantee at 90-95 percent of modeled output. If production falls below the guarantee in year one, the remedy is documented in the contract (typically a check for the kWh shortfall at the locked-in retail rate, or a system check-up at no charge). We do not call this a savings guarantee; that is a different claim. | Production guarantee at 90-95 percent of modeled output is typical; we document the remedy in the contract. | We guarantee you will save 80 percent on your bill. |
| Microinverters (Enphase IQ8 series) or string inverter with optimizers (SolarEdge) for an SD roof? | We compare both based on your roof. Microinverters fit best where the roof has multiple orientations or shading from neighboring trees or chimneys. String + optimizers can be slightly cheaper on a single clean south-facing slope. We share the modeled production for both topologies. Battery-ready coupling differs: Enphase pairs with IQ Battery (AC-coupled); SolarEdge pairs with their own Energy Bank (DC-coupled) or AC-couples with most batteries. | Microinverters for shaded or multi-orientation roofs; string with optimizers for clean south-facing single slopes. | Microinverters are always better; string is obsolete. |
| My SD home has a 25-year-old composition roof. Should I re-roof before solar? | If the roof has fewer than 10-12 years of remaining life we recommend re-roofing first, because removing and reinstalling a solar array later runs $2,000-$5,000 in labor depending on size. SD's mild climate is relatively kind to composition shingles, but the 25-year mark is the typical replacement point. We share the roof assessment in writing; if it is borderline we show the cost comparison of re-roof-now vs solar-now-plus-remove-reinstall-later. | Older than 25 years usually re-roof first; we share the assessment and the cost comparison. | Roof age does not matter; just install on top. |
| We have a Spanish-style clay tile roof. How does that change the structural and racking approach? | Clay or concrete tile roofs require tile-hook flashing, not standard composition lag-bolt flashing, and the installer has to either remove and reinstall the tile around each penetration or use a tile-replacement bracket. Tile racking adds material cost and labor. We document the rack type (e.g. Quick Mount PV Tile Replacement, IronRidge Tile Hook) and confirm the structural review accounts for the dead load of the tile. | Tile requires specialized hooks and adds labor; we document the rack choice and the structural calc. | Tile roofs use the same racking as composition. |
| I bought a newer SD home that was built under the Title 24 Solar Mandate but has no panels. How does that affect a retrofit? | California's Title 24 Solar Mandate applies to new construction permits filed after January 1, 2020; many newer SD homes are pre-wired for solar even if no panels were installed. We confirm whether the home has a dedicated solar-ready conduit run from roof to main panel and whether a 200A panel was pre-installed; both shorten the install. For homes outside the mandate (built before 2020) we follow standard retrofit conduit and panel-side-work. | We confirm at the site visit whether the home is solar-ready; newer SD homes often are. | All California homes are Title 24 ready. |
| We are in the East County foothills the City marked as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. How does that affect the array layout? | CRC R327 / R337 sets roof access pathway and ridge-clearance requirements for solar arrays in WUI zones. Typical requirements include a 36-inch wide pathway from eave to ridge, a 36-inch clearance to the ridge along the array, and an unobstructed pathway between arrays. The City of SD adopted updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps effective August 30, 2025. We confirm the WUI zone for the address and document the setback dimensions in the permit drawings. | WUI status changes the array layout; we verify the zone and document setbacks. | Fire setbacks only apply to commercial. |
| What are the warranty terms on panels, inverters, and the install labor? | Panel manufacturers typically offer a 25-year linear performance warranty and 12-25 year product warranty (varies by brand). Inverter warranties run 10-12 years (string) or 25 years (Enphase microinverters). Install-labor warranty is separate and typically 5-10 years. We share all three terms in writing and explain what voids each (manufacturer voids on non-authorized installer; labor voids on tampering or non-permitted modifications). | We share panel, inverter, and labor warranty terms separately in writing. | Everything is covered for life. |
| A neighbor's mature palm or eucalyptus shades part of our south-facing roof. What can we do? | We do a shading analysis using HelioScope or Aurora and model the array with the current shading. California Solar Rights Act (Public Resources Code 25980-25986) and the Solar Shade Control Act limit certain tree-shading effects on existing solar arrays, but the rules are nuanced and we do not advise on the legal side. We design the array to minimize shade impact (microinverters or string optimizers, panel layout) and document the modeled production loss. | We model the shading and design around it; the legal questions about neighbor trees are separate from the install design. | Solar Rights Act lets you cut down any neighbor's tree. |
| How does dust and the salt air affect long-term production in SD? | SD's dry summers and seasonal Santa Ana wind events deposit dust on panels; coastal homes also get salt-air. We use a 3-5 percent annual soiling derate in the production model for typical SD addresses. Rainy seasons typically clean the panels naturally; we do not recommend paid washing services unless soiling visibly exceeds the model. For coastal homes we spec coastal-rated frames and clamps and document them in the proposal. | Soiling derate is 3-5 percent in SD; rain handles most of it. Coastal hardware spec is documented. | Soiling does not exist in SD; you do not need to clean panels. |
| What monitoring platform do you use and what does commissioning look like? | Common platforms are Enphase Enlighten (microinverter systems), SolarEdge mySolarEdge (string with optimizers), and Aurora or HelioScope for design-side modeling. Commissioning includes measured array Voc / Isc, inverter power output at startup, communication with the monitoring platform, and the SDG&E PTO submission. We give you a one-page commissioning report and the monitoring login. We do not consider the install complete until the monitoring shows production. | We commission, share the report, and confirm monitoring is reading before signing off. | Monitoring is optional; just turn it on and walk away. |
| How does the SDG&E interconnection process work and what is the timeline? | We submit the SDG&E NEM application after install with the inverter cut sheet, single-line diagram, electrical-permit final card, and the $132 interconnection-request fee. SDG&E reviews and issues PTO; typical timeline runs 2-6 weeks but has occasionally stretched longer. The Net Billing Tariff agreement is then activated. We do not let you turn the system on before PTO; doing so risks losing the agreement and incurring penalties. | We submit after final inspection; you operate only after PTO. | Turn the system on as soon as the panels are mounted; PTO is a formality. |
| I am planning HP HVAC, HPWH, and an EV charger later. Should you size the solar for current usage or future load? | We size for the future modeled load, not the past 12 months. We work with your stated electrification plan (HP HVAC + HPWH + EV charger + future battery) and run a Manual J for HVAC plus a load-aggregation table for the rest. NEM 3.0 economics favor self-consumption, so the array size is tied to the future consumption pattern not the past. We share the future-load assumption sheet. | We size against the future stated plan; we share the assumption sheet. | We size from last year's bill only. |
| How do you handle NEC 690 PV installation and the NEC 705.12 120 percent rule on the panel interconnection? | NEC 690 governs PV-system wiring (conductor sizing, disconnect placement, rapid shutdown per 690.12). NEC 705.12 sets the 120 percent rule for combined inverter sources plus main breaker against the busbar rating; we verify the existing panel busbar rating, the main breaker, and the planned PV breaker against the calculation. If the busbar fails the calc we recommend a line-side tap, a sub-panel, or a main-breaker derate. We document the calc in the permit. | We do the 705.12 calc and document it in the permit; remedy paths are part of the proposal. | 705.12 is optional; the inspector never checks. |
| I have read about BayREN solar incentives. Does any of that apply in SD? | BayREN is a nine-county Bay Area program; it does not cover San Diego. The SD solar-incentive landscape is now primarily federal-less (§25D expired Dec 31 2025) and SGIP for storage administered by CSE. We do not list BayREN in SD quotes. We list confirmed line items only: SDG&E PTO + NEM 3.0 agreement, SGIP for any battery, any active SDCP program at the time of contract. | BayREN does not cover SD; the realistic stack is SGIP for storage plus any active SDCP program. | BayREN applies statewide; you qualify for SD. |
| Does enrolling in SDCP Power100 instead of the default PowerOn change the solar economics? | Slightly. Power100 adds about $0.01 per kWh to the supplier side of your bill, which is a real cost that shows up before the solar offset. The solar array itself does not care which SDCP product you are on; what changes is the cost of the grid kWh you import (slightly higher under Power100). We share the modeled bill on PowerOn vs Power100 with and without solar so you can decide. | Power100 is optional and adds a small premium; the solar payback math is largely the same. | Power100 is required for solar. |
| What is the best next step before signing an SD solar contract? | Schedule the site visit, get the PVsyst or HelioScope production model with neighborhood-microclimate derate, confirm SolarAPP+ eligibility through SD DSD, decide on the NEM 3.0 self-consumption strategy (solar-only vs solar plus battery with SGIP), and get a written quote with all line items: panels, inverter, racking, labor, permits, structural review, monitoring. Compare two or three bids on the same scope. | Compare two or three bids on the same scope before signing. | Sign today; the prices are going up. |
| Which circuits will be backed up during an outage, and for how long? | We provide a backup-loads list (refrigerator, internet, lights, HVAC controls, well pump if any), estimate runtime in hours at typical and worst-case usage, and explain whether whole-home or essential-loads backup is recommended. | — | The battery powers the house. |
| Does my install qualify for SGIP (Self-Generation Incentive Program), and at what tier? | We verify current SGIP budget status before quoting: as of December 31, 2025 the ratepayer-funded General Market, Equity, and Equity Resiliency budgets are closed to new applications, and only the AB 209-funded RSSE (Residential Solar and Storage Equity) tier remains open — and that budget is fully reserved with new applications served via an attrition-based waitlist (selfgenca.com). We document the waitlist position rather than promising a rebate, and we explain that pre-approval is required before equipment is delivered. | — | SGIP always pays out the maximum amount. |
| What is the battery's usable kWh and continuous inverter power, and how do they relate? | We specify both: kWh determines how long the backup lasts; the inverter's continuous AC output determines what can run at once (refrigerator + lights + maybe HVAC vs everything). | — | kWh is the only number that matters. |
| Is the battery AC-coupled or DC-coupled with the solar array, and why? | AC-coupled batteries use a separate inverter and are easier to retrofit to existing solar. DC-coupled batteries share an inverter with new solar and are typically more efficient end-to-end. We choose based on whether the solar array is new or existing. | — | Coupling does not matter. |
| Can we add more battery capacity later, and what are the limits? | Most modern systems support stacking additional units up to a vendor-specified maximum. We document the maximum stack today, what is needed to add capacity later (matching firmware, software update, possible electrical re-work), and whether SGIP can be applied to expansion units. | — | Buy the biggest battery today; expansion is impossible. |
| What depth-of-discharge limit does the battery use, and how does that affect usable kWh? | We explain the nameplate kWh vs usable kWh: modern LFP batteries reserve very little for cycle life (often 95 to 100 percent of nameplate is usable); older chemistries reserve 10 to 20 percent. We quote usable kWh in the proposal so you can compare like-for-like. | — | Nameplate kWh is the usable kWh. |
| What is the manufacturer warranty on the battery, and what limits it? | Most residential batteries carry a 10 to 12 year warranty, often paired with a cycle count (e.g. 6,000 to 10,000 cycles) or throughput limit (e.g. 37.8 MWh) - whichever comes first. We provide the spec sheet and explain what voids coverage. | — | Lifetime warranty; no fine print. |
| Are time-of-use arbitrage cycles counted against the warranty? | Yes. Every charge-discharge cycle counts toward the throughput limit; aggressive daily TOU arbitrage may shorten the years-based warranty window. We model expected cycles per year for your usage pattern. | — | Cycling does not count against the warranty. |
| How will the battery shift load away from PG&E peak hours? | We program the battery to charge from solar during midday and discharge during the PG&E EV2-A or E-ELEC peak window (typically 4-9pm), saving you the peak-period delta. We tune the schedule for your actual usage and rate plan. | — | The battery charges and discharges whenever. |
| How does NEM 3.0 change the battery payback? | Under NEM 3.0, export compensation dropped by roughly 75 percent, so self-consumption (using your solar via the battery instead of exporting) is now the primary battery economic driver. We model expected savings under NEM 3.0 with your specific rate plan. | — | NEM 3.0 has no effect on battery payback. |
| How will the install meet CRC 1207 / R327 fire-setback rules for energy storage? | We design the install per California Residential Code R327 (formerly section 1207): separation from windows, doors, openings into the dwelling, and other batteries; smoke and heat detectors per code; and an exterior wall location where possible. We document compliance in the permit submittal. | — | Fire setbacks are optional. |
| What is your post-install commissioning checklist? | Commissioning includes verifying battery state-of-charge reporting, testing backup-mode transfer with a simulated outage, walking through the app for backup-only vs TOU modes, and confirming the SGIP system performance metering is functioning if SGIP is part of the project. | — | We turn it on and leave. |
| Are you an installer certified by the battery manufacturer? | Yes. We provide our certification number for the specific battery brand (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ, LG Chem RESU, FranklinWH, etc.); certification is typically required to preserve full warranty coverage. | — | Certification does not matter for batteries. |
| Who handles the PG&E interconnection update for the new battery? | We submit the updated PG&E interconnection paperwork to add the battery to your existing or new solar interconnection, and we obtain the updated Permission to Operate before energizing. | — | PG&E interconnection happens automatically. |
| What panel-side breaker work or interconnection method does the battery require? | We confirm whether the battery interconnects via a back-fed breaker (with sum-of-breakers check per NEC 705.12), a supply-side tap, or a dedicated battery sub-panel; we show the calculation on the permit drawings. | — | Any spare slot will work. |
| Does the federal Section 25D residential clean energy credit apply to my battery install? | Section 25D expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21). Battery installations completed in 2026 or later do not qualify for the 30 percent §25D credit. | — | You will receive the 30 percent federal credit on your taxes. |
| Does HEEHRA or TECH Clean California currently offer a battery incentive? | Neither HEEHRA nor TECH primarily fund residential batteries; SGIP is the main California battery program. We verify current TECH scope at techcleanca.com and HEEHRA status at energy.ca.gov before citing any battery incentive. | — | HEEHRA covers batteries automatically. |
| Will the quote separate confirmed SGIP incentives from assumed? | Yes. SGIP is marked confirmed only after pre-approval is granted and the funding tier is reserved; we mark the line as assumed in the quote until then and explain the reservation status. | — | All listed incentives are yours. |
| What is the best next step before signing a battery contract? | Get a written quote with line-item pricing including usable kWh, continuous AC inverter output, AC vs DC coupling, manufacturer warranty terms (years AND cycles AND throughput), labor warranty separately, SJPermits.org permit fees, PG&E interconnection plan, and an honest SGIP workflow: as of December 31, 2025 only the AB 209-funded RSSE budget accepts new applications and it is fully reserved (attrition-based waitlist via selfgenca.com), so the proposal documents the waitlist position rather than promising a rebate. | — | Sign today to lock in SGIP before funding runs out. |
| How does SGIP apply for a residential battery in SDG&E territory and who administers it? | SGIP in SDG&E territory is administered by Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE, energycenter.org, sgipsd.org), not by SDG&E directly. Budget status as of 2026: per the program administrator, the ratepayer-funded Residential General (around $150 per kWh), Equity (around $850 per kWh), and Equity Resiliency (around $1,000 per kWh for high-fire-threat-district or low-income medical-baseline customers) budgets are no longer accepting new applications. Only the AB 209-funded RSSE (Residential Solar and Storage Equity) tier remains open — and that budget is fully reserved as of December 31, 2025; new applications go to a waitlist served through attrition of cancelled projects. RSSE rates were around $1,100 per kWh storage plus around $3,100 per kW solar, targeted at income-qualified solar-plus-battery customers. Pre-approval is required before installation; we verify current budget status at sgipsd.org and selfgenca.com before quoting, reserve through CSE when the path is open, and document the reservation number (or waitlist position) in the proposal. We confirm only what we have reserved; we do not assume eligibility. | We verify current SGIP budget status via CSE; only RSSE remains open and that budget is on a waitlist via attrition. We document the waitlist position rather than promising a rebate. | You will receive SGIP for the whole battery cost. |
| How does the battery improve solar payback under NEM 3.0 in San Diego on SDG&E? | Under NEM 3.0, exporting to the grid pays roughly 75 percent less than under NEM 2.0. A battery stores midday solar for use during the 4-9pm peak window, which is the highest-rate window on SDG&E TOU-DR1 and EV-TOU-5. We model self-consumption ratio (typically 60-80 percent with battery vs 30-50 percent solar-only) and share the year-1 cost comparison. | Battery improves payback under NEM 3.0 in SD; we show the modeled difference for your usage. | Adding a battery always cuts your bill in half. |
| What does the City of San Diego DSD permit process look like for a battery install? | We pull a City of SD DSD electrical permit through opendsd.sandiego.gov. For wall-mounted batteries we also confirm structural attachment per the manufacturer install manual. Fire setback follows CRC R327 / R337; we document the setback measurements in the permit. Final card sign-off happens at inspection. We share all permit copies. | SD DSD permits required; we share copies on submission. | Batteries don't need permits in SD for under 20 kWh. |
| AC or DC coupling for the battery — and how does that interact with my existing SD solar inverter? | DC-coupled batteries (Tesla Powerwall 3 with integrated PV inverter, SolarEdge Energy Bank with SolarEdge inverter) share one inverter for solar and battery, which is more efficient and cheaper if you are installing solar and battery at once. AC-coupled batteries (Enphase IQ Battery, FranklinWH, LG Energy Solution RESU paired with a separate hybrid inverter) bolt onto an existing solar array. For a battery-only retrofit on existing solar AC-coupled is the path; for new combined solar plus battery either works and we model the cost difference. | DC for new combined installs; AC for retrofitting onto existing solar. | AC vs DC does not matter at all. |
| What is on the backup-loads list for a typical SD home? | Common backup loads we size for include lights, refrigerator, freezer, internet router and modem, garage door opener, and at least one outlet circuit. SD does not have PG&E-style PSPS shutoffs, so battery backup runtime targets are typically a few hours of evening peak coverage plus occasional storm outages, not the 8-24 hour PSPS-driven sizing common in PG&E territory. For homes with medical equipment or remote work needs we add specific circuits. We share the list so you can edit before sign-off. | We list the backup circuits; SD outage patterns are usually shorter than PG&E territory. | The battery runs your whole house automatically. |
| Should we install one battery or scale to two or three? | Typical SD residential sizing is one 10-15 kWh battery (Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase IQ Battery 10, FranklinWH aPower 2) for evening peak-shifting; two units for whole-house backup; three units for off-grid-style resilience. We size against your backup-loads list (kWh per outage hour) and your TOU peak-window kWh. SGIP rebate scales by usable kWh, so a larger system pulls more rebate but the marginal payback diminishes after the second unit. | One unit for peak-shifting plus essentials; two for whole-house; we size against the backup list. | Always install three; bigger is always better. |
| Critical-loads panel or whole-house backup with an automatic transfer switch? | Critical-loads panel (a small sub-panel that holds only the backup circuits) is the simpler and cheaper path; whole-house backup uses a Tesla Gateway 3 or equivalent automatic transfer switch on the main, which costs more but transfers everything. The whole-house path needs careful load management to avoid tripping the battery's inverter output limit (typically 5-10 kW continuous per battery). We share both options with cost. | Critical-loads panel is the common SD outcome; whole-house works if the load profile fits the inverter. | Whole-house is the only option. |
| What is depth of discharge (DoD) and how does it affect usable capacity? | LFP (lithium iron phosphate, the chemistry used in Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase IQ Battery, and most current residential batteries) is rated for high DoD — typically 95-100 percent of nameplate kWh is usable. NMC chemistries had lower DoD (80-90 percent). We quote the usable kWh, not the nameplate, in the proposal. Cycle warranty assumes the battery is cycled within the rated DoD. | LFP gives near-100 percent usable kWh; we quote usable, not nameplate. | DoD is marketing; ignore it. |
| What does the battery warranty actually cover? | Battery warranties have three terms: years (typically 10), cycles (typically 4,000-10,000), and total throughput in MWh. The warranty pays out on whichever limit you hit first. We share the manufacturer warranty document and explain how daily cycling at the nameplate rating would deplete the throughput limit over the warranty years. Install-labor warranty is separate (typically 5-10 years). We do not call the install lifetime-protected; it is not. | Years plus cycles plus throughput; we share the document and explain the limits. | Battery warranty covers everything forever. |
| How long will the battery actually run my SD home during an outage? | Runtime depends on the loaded circuits, the kWh available, and whether the sun is producing. For a 13.5 kWh battery powering a typical critical-loads panel (lights, fridge, internet, a few outlets) at around 1 kWh per hour, expect roughly 12 hours overnight, then solar refills during the day. We model the runtime against the specific loads-list and the time of year, and we share the model. We do not promise a single runtime number without inputs. | Runtime depends on the loads; we model and share for your specific circuit list. | You will run for a week off the battery. |
| Does the federal Section 25D credit apply to a 2026 SD battery install? | Section 25D expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21). Installs placed in service in 2026 or later do not qualify. Any contractor who quotes a §25D federal credit for a 2026 SD battery install has it wrong; flag that as a red flag. SGIP via CSE remains the primary California incentive for storage. | §25D does not apply to 2026 installs; SGIP via CSE is the path that remains. | §25D still applies; you will receive 30 percent on your taxes. |
| How does the SDG&E interconnection process work for a battery alongside or after solar? | Battery interconnection on SDG&E follows the NEM 3.0 Net Billing Tariff agreement. For a battery added to existing solar we submit an amended interconnection application; for a combined new solar plus battery the agreement is part of the original NEM 3.0 application. SDG&E charges a $132 interconnection request fee. Typical timeline runs 2-6 weeks. We do not let you operate the battery in export mode before PTO; doing so risks losing the agreement. | We file the interconnection; you operate in export mode only after PTO. | Just turn it on; SDG&E does not check. |
| How do you handle NEC Article 706 (ESS) and the NEC 705.12 120 percent rule on the SD panel? | NEC 706 governs energy storage system wiring (conductor sizing, ventilation, signage). NEC 705.12 sets the 120 percent rule for combined inverter sources plus main breaker against the busbar rating; we verify the existing panel busbar rating, the main breaker, and the planned battery-inverter breaker against the calculation. If the busbar fails we recommend a line-side tap, a sub-panel, or a main-breaker derate. We document the calc in the permit. | We do the 705.12 calc covering the battery inverter; remedy paths are part of the proposal. | 705.12 only matters for solar, not for batteries. |
| What UL listings should the battery have? | We confirm the battery is UL 9540 listed (system-level energy-storage safety) and the cells inside are UL 9540A tested (cell-level thermal-runaway propagation test). UL 9540A is what fire authorities cite when approving residential installs and is required by many AHJs including City of SD for outdoor and garage installs. We share the listing documents. | We confirm UL 9540 plus UL 9540A and share the docs. | UL ratings do not matter at the residential level. |
| Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase IQ Battery, or FranklinWH for SD? | Tesla Powerwall 3 has an integrated PV inverter (DC-coupled with optional AC), 11.5 kW continuous output, and a 13.5 kWh nameplate; works well as a combined new-install solar plus battery. Enphase IQ Battery (10 kWh or 5 kWh modules) AC-couples cleanly with Enphase microinverter solar; modular sizing. FranklinWH aPower 2 (15 kWh, 10 kW continuous) is AC-coupled with strong load-management features and works retrofit. We compare based on existing solar, sizing, and price; we share the comparison. | All three are sound; we compare based on existing solar topology and sizing. | Tesla is the only option. |
| What does the monitoring look like day-to-day? | Tesla app, Enphase Enlighten, and FranklinWH app all show real-time power flow (solar, home, battery, grid), historical charts, and TOU schedule controls. We commission the app login during install, walk you through the backup-mode toggle and the TOU peak-shift schedule, and confirm communication with SDG&E AMI metering. We share login docs. | We set up the app and walk you through schedule controls during commissioning. | Monitoring is just a gimmick. |
| Any grounding considerations under NEC Article 250 for the ESS install? | NEC 250 grounding electrode requirements apply to the ESS the same way they apply to a service. We verify the existing grounding electrode system (rod or rebar-encased electrode), confirm the conductor size for the new ESS rating, and bond as required. For installs where the existing grounding is degraded (older SD homes sometimes have single-rod systems below current code) we upgrade per current NEC and document the work in the permit. | We verify and bond per NEC 250; older SD grounding sometimes needs an upgrade. | Grounding does not need to be touched for batteries. |
| We are in an East County WUI zone the City marked as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Does the SGIP Equity Resiliency tier apply? | SGIP Equity Resiliency was designed for customers in high-fire-threat districts (per CPUC HFTD map) and on the Medical Baseline program, with significantly higher per-kWh incentives than General or Equity. Many East County and inland-SD addresses fall in HFTD Tier 2 or Tier 3. As of 2026 the ratepayer-funded Equity Resiliency budget is no longer accepting new applications — only the AB 209-funded RSSE (Residential Solar and Storage Equity) tier remains open, and that budget is fully reserved with new applications on a waitlist via attrition. We verify the HFTD designation against the CPUC fire-threat map and walk through eligibility honestly before listing any SGIP line item, but practical access in 2026 is limited to the RSSE waitlist for income-qualified solar-plus-battery projects. Approval is not automatic; we list any SGIP path as pending until confirmed via sgipsd.org / CSE. | Equity Resiliency depends on HFTD designation plus other criteria; we verify before claiming the tier. | Equity Resiliency is automatic in SD; you qualify. |
| What does battery commissioning look like at the end of the install? | Commissioning includes measured State of Charge after first charge cycle, inverter output verification at the panel, backup-loads cutover test (simulated grid outage), TOU schedule programming, app login confirmation, and SDG&E communication test. We give you a one-page commissioning report with measured values and the technician name. We do not consider the install complete without it. | We do a startup checklist with backup cutover test and share the measured values. | Commissioning is a buzzword; the battery either works or it does not. |
| What is the best next step before signing an SD battery contract? | Schedule a site visit, verify SGIP budget status with CSE on sgipsd.org / selfgenca.com (as of December 31, 2025 only the AB 209-funded RSSE budget accepts new applications and it is fully reserved — new apps go to an attrition-based waitlist; we document the waitlist position rather than promising a rebate), decide on the backup-loads list and battery sizing, run the NEM 3.0 self-consumption model on your SDG&E rate plan, and get a written quote with line-item pricing: battery hardware, inverter, gateway, installation labor, SD DSD permits, structural attachment if wall-mounted, monitoring setup. Compare two or three bids on the same scope and battery brand. | Verify SGIP status with CSE — only RSSE is open and it is waitlisted — and compare two bids on the same scope before signing. | Sign today; SGIP funding will run out tomorrow. |
Green flags, reasonable caveats, red flags
Green flags
- PVsyst or HelioScope production model using SD coastal or inland station data
- SDG&E NEM 3.0 self-consumption model with and without battery
- Current SGIP budget status verified at sgipsd.org / selfgenca.com (CSE administrator) before quoting: ratepayer-funded General Market / Equity / Equity Resiliency budgets are no longer accepting new applications; only AB 209-funded RSSE remains open and is fully reserved with new applications on a waitlist served via attrition
- RSSE (Residential Solar and Storage Equity) waitlist application submitted for income-qualified solar plus battery customers; waitlist position documented
- Tile-roof or WUI-zone handling documented when it applies
- Fire setback measurements (CRC R327 / R337) documented in the permit
- Year-1 cost model on TOU-DR1 or EV-TOU-5 with battery peak-shifting
Reasonable caveats
- Older composition roofs over 25 years should re-roof before solar install
- East County and inland HFTD addresses historically qualified for the SGIP Equity Resiliency tier, but that ratepayer-funded budget is no longer accepting new applications; HFTD verification still matters for the RSSE pathway
- SDG&E PTO typically 2-6 weeks after final inspection plus the $132 interconnection request fee
- Spanish tile racking adds material cost and labor
Red flags
- Promises specific kWh production without modeling
- Claims §25D federal credit applies to 2026+ installs
- Recommends solar-only without modeling NEM 3.0 payback in SD
- Pitches SGIP General Market, Equity, or Equity Resiliency tiers without verifying that those budgets are no longer accepting new applications as of 2026
Quote checklist
Check every item before signing.
Required
Optional but recommended
Quote comparison worksheet
Print this and fill in by hand, or capture quotes side-by-side as you receive them.
| Line item | Contractor 1 | Contractor 2 | Contractor 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quote models future load (heat pump, EV, water heater) for sizing, not just past consumption. (required) | |||
| Quote uses NEM 3.0 export rates and explicitly notes the change from NEM 2.0. (required) | |||
| Quote includes roof condition assessment with remaining lifetime estimate. (required) | |||
| Quote specifies panel and inverter brand, wattage, efficiency, and warranty. (required) | |||
| Quote includes a shading analysis and string or microinverter design notes. (required) | |||
| Quote states the production guarantee (kWh/year) and how it is enforced. | |||
| Quote names the monitoring platform and any subscription cost. | |||
| Quote names who handles PG&E interconnection paperwork. (required) | |||
| Quote separates confirmed incentives from assumed with reservation status. (required) | |||
| Quote includes a 12-month production model with SD coastal-vs-inland microclimate assumption noted. (required) | |||
| Quote notes whether SolarAPP+ streamlined permitting through SD DSD applies. | |||
| Quote names the racking type used for clay or concrete tile roofs (tile-hook flashing or tile-replacement bracket) if the roof is Spanish-tile. | |||
| Quote states usable kWh (not just nameplate) and continuous AC inverter output. (required) | |||
| Quote includes a backup-loads list with runtime estimates. (required) | |||
| Quote states whether the battery is AC-coupled or DC-coupled with the solar array. (required) | |||
| Quote states current SGIP budget status (as of 2026, ratepayer-funded General Market / Equity / Equity Resiliency budgets are no longer accepting new applications; only AB 209-funded RSSE remains open and that budget is fully reserved with new apps on a waitlist served via attrition) and any RSSE waitlist application reference if pursued. (required) | |||
| Quote confirms compliance with CRC 1207 / R327 fire setback rules for the chosen install location. (required) | |||
| Quote specifies battery warranty (years, cycles, throughput) and labor warranty separately. (required) | |||
| Quote names the battery monitoring platform and any user-side controls (time-of-use scheduling, backup-mode toggle). | |||
| Quote names who handles PG&E interconnection updates for the battery. (required) | |||
| Quote explains the SGIP RSSE waitlist application workflow and timeline before equipment is delivered (RSSE is the only SGIP tier accepting new applications as of 2026, and its budget is fully reserved with new apps on a waitlist served via attrition). | |||
| Quote names the SGIP path pursued via CSE (sgipsd.org / selfgenca.com): RSSE waitlist if income-qualified solar plus battery; otherwise no SGIP path is available in 2026 because the ratepayer-funded budgets are no longer accepting new applications. Includes any RSSE waitlist reference number. (required) | |||
| Quote names who pulls the City of SD DSD electrical permit and itemizes CRC R327 / R337 fire-setback measurements. (required) | |||
| Quote includes a year-1 self-consumption and cost model under SDG&E NEM 3.0 with and without battery. (required) |
Incentive verification worksheet
| Program | Amount | Eligibility | Pre-approval? | Confidence | Verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit (solar PV) | Expired Dec 31, 2025. For 2023–2025: 30% of total installed cost, no cap. | EXPIRED: This federal credit ended Dec 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025). Expenditures made after Dec 31, 2025 do not qualify — for §25D, the IRS treats the expenditure date as the date the installation is placed in service (completed), not the date of payment. A homeowner who paid a deposit in 2025 but whose system was placed in service in 2026 does not qualify. For installations placed in service during 2023–2025, the credit applied to solar PV systems supplying electricity to a U.S. residential dwelling used by the taxpayer as a residence (principal residence not required; second homes qualified; rentals not occupied by the taxpayer did not qualify), satisfying applicable fire and electrical codes, with installation costs included in the credit basis. The credit was nonrefundable with carryforward. Homeowners with eligible 2025 placed-in-service installations may still claim the credit on their 2025 federal tax return. Verify with a qualified tax professional. | Verify | high | 2026-05-30 | Internal Revenue Service, Internal Revenue Service, ENERGY STAR (EPA/DOE) |
| Section 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit (battery storage) | Expired Dec 31, 2025. For 2023–2025: 30% of total installed cost, no cap (battery capacity at least 3 kWh). | EXPIRED: This federal credit ended Dec 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025). Expenditures made after Dec 31, 2025 do not qualify — for §25D, the IRS treats the expenditure date as the date the installation is placed in service (completed), not the date of payment. A homeowner who paid a deposit in 2025 but whose system was placed in service in 2026 does not qualify. For installations placed in service during 2023–2025, the credit applied to battery storage systems with a rated capacity of at least 3 kilowatt-hours installed in a U.S. home used by the taxpayer as a residence (existing homes and new construction; principal residence not required; rentals not occupied by the taxpayer did not qualify). Standalone batteries (not paired with solar) were explicitly eligible from Jan 1, 2023 onward. The credit was nonrefundable with carryforward. Homeowners with eligible 2025 placed-in-service installations may still claim the credit on their 2025 federal tax return. Verify with a qualified tax professional. | Verify | high | 2026-05-30 | Internal Revenue Service, Internal Revenue Service, ENERGY STAR (EPA/DOE) |
| California Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) — residential battery storage | As of 2026-06-08, only the Residential Solar and Storage Equity (RSSE) AB 209 budget remains open for new applications, and that budget is fully reserved — new applications are placed on a waitlist served through attrition of cancelled projects. Per-kWh rates by tier (for context — only RSSE accepts new apps in 2026): RSSE $1,100/kWh storage + $3,100/kW solar; Equity Resiliency $1,000/kWh; Equity $850/kWh; San Joaquin Valley Residential $1,100/kWh; Small Residential Storage / General Market $150/kWh. Per-project totals depend on installed battery capacity (kWh) and tier eligibility. | Administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and delivered through utility program administrators (PG&E, Center for Sustainable Energy / SDG&E territory, SoCalGas, SCE; LADWP customers are not eligible). Budget status as of 2026-06-08: per SGIP program administrator (CSE / sgipsd.org), 'as of December 31, 2025, all new application submissions are strictly available to the Residential Solar and Storage Equity (RSSE) AB 209 budget. At this time, all available RSSE AB 209 funding has been reserved.' New RSSE applications are placed on a waitlist in order received and funded through attrition of cancelled projects. The ratepayer-funded General Market, Equity, and Equity Resiliency budgets are not accepting new applications. Tier rates for reference (applicable to reservations made while budgets were open): (1) Residential Solar and Storage Equity (RSSE) — $1,100/kWh storage plus $3,100/kW solar; low-income residential customers; AB 209-funded; reservation window opened June 2, 2025. (2) Equity Resiliency — $1,000/kWh; IOU residential customers in high fire-threat districts and/or medical baseline / income-qualified. (3) Equity — $850/kWh; income-qualified IOU residential customers. (4) San Joaquin Valley Residential — $1,100/kWh; PG&E and SCE pilot footprint. (5) Small Residential Storage / General Market — $150/kWh. Reservations require a one-year completion window and enrollment in a qualified Demand Response program. Tier eligibility, income documentation, HFTD-tier residency, and budget-availability status must be verified against the current SGIP Handbook and the customer's utility administrator before any contractor work begins. | Yes | high | 2026-06-08 | California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) |
| California Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0) — solar export compensation framework | Policy framework, not a direct rebate. Excess solar generation exported to the grid is compensated at a rate reflecting the time-varying grid value of that generation (Avoided Cost Calculator methodology), rather than at the retail electricity rate that NEM 2.0 used. Net export compensation under the Net Billing Tariff is typically materially lower than under NEM 2.0; pairing solar with battery storage may materially affect project economics under this framework. | POLICY IN EFFECT — NOT A REBATE: The Net Billing Tariff (NBT), commonly called 'NEM 3.0,' is the current Net Energy Metering framework for new residential solar interconnections in California, adopted by CPUC Decision 22-12-056 and effective for applications submitted on or after 2023-04-15. It applies to new customer-generator interconnections in the three large investor-owned utility territories: Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). LADWP and other publicly owned utilities operate their own net-metering tariffs and are not covered by NBT. Under NBT, onsite solar generation first offsets the customer's own consumption; excess generation exported to the grid is compensated at a time-varying export rate based on the grid's avoided cost rather than the retail rate. Existing NEM 1.0 / NEM 2.0 customers are generally grandfathered under the legacy tariff for a defined period from their original interconnection date — verify against the customer's utility for the legacy term. Homeowners considering new residential solar in PG&E / SCE / SDG&E territory should model project economics specifically under NBT, with and without paired battery storage, before signing a contract. | Interconnection application required, not a financial preapproval. | high | 2026-05-30 | California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) |
Permit verification worksheet
| Permit | Jurisdiction | Applies to | Confidence | Verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical + building permit | city | Solar Panels | medium | 2026-05-31 | City of San Diego, City of San Diego, City of San Diego, City of San Diego, City of San Diego |
| Electrical + building permit | city | Battery Storage | medium | 2026-05-31 | City of San Diego, City of San Diego, City of San Diego, City of San Diego |