Already have solar?
Add a battery to the solar you already have
A battery can be added to all existing solar systems, no matter who installed yours. I review your current equipment and recent bills, then tell you whether a battery makes sense and which ones work with your system.
What a battery does for you
Use your own solar in the evening
Power costs as much as 79 cents per kWh from 4 to 9 pm. Using a battery to offset these peak charges can provide significant savings.
Keep the lights on
When the grid goes down, including planned power shutoffs, your battery keeps the fridge, lights, Wi-Fi and other essentials running.
Worry less about rate increases
The less power you buy from the utility, the less future rate increases affect your bill.
A battery may help if:
Your yearly true-up bill has gone up
Your on-peak usage (4 to 9 pm) is raising your bill
You want backup power during outages
You’ve added an electric car, pool pump or heat pump since going solar
Will a battery change my NEM 1.0 or 2.0 plan?
No. Adding a battery does not jeopardize your current solar billing plan (NEM 1.0 or 2.0).
On NEM 3.0? A battery often matters even more, because power you send to SDG&E earns far less than power you buy back from 4 to 9 pm.
What if my solar company is no longer in business?
Many homeowners can’t reach the company that installed their solar, including SunPower owners. That doesn’t stop you from adding a battery. I check which batteries work with your existing inverter and compare options from installers I trust.
What does SDCP’s battery rebate pay for existing solar?
If your home is in San Diego Community Power’s area:
$3,375–$4,725
Upfront rebate
Per Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh). $250 per kWh for most homes, $350 per kWh for CARE, FERA and qualifying neighborhoods. Many neighborhoods qualify for the higher rate, including large parts of San Diego, Chula Vista and unincorporated San Diego County. I’ll check your address. The rebate can lower your price upfront.
~$175/yr
Yearly payment
$0.10 per kWh your battery delivers on weekdays from 4 to 9 pm, for up to 10 years.
Two Powerwall 3s: about $6,750–$9,450 upfront and about $350 a year. Whether two batteries qualify depends on how much solar your home sends to the grid, so I’ll check yours with your Green Button data.
What you agree to
On weekdays, SDCP uses half your battery between 4 and 9 pm. That power runs your home first, and any extra goes to the grid. The rest of your battery stays yours, and SDCP’s use stops at your backup reserve.
During a power outage, your battery powers your home first.
You can skip up to 3 weekday windows a month and still earn that month’s payment.
Your battery charges only from your solar.
You stay with SDCP for 5 years, or repay part of the rebate.
The battery must be new and installed by an SDCP-approved contractor.
Rebates step down as the program fills
Rebates are first come, first served. When the current funding step fills, the rebate drops, and SDCP gives as little as two weeks’ notice. There’s no public tracker.
Once your project is approved, your rebate amount is locked in. I’ll confirm the current amount for your address.
Is there a way to lower the upfront cost?
Yes. With a prepaid lease, you pay once upfront, usually about 30% less than buying the battery outright. The battery’s owner uses the federal tax credit to lower your price. After six years, the battery and its warranties transfer to you at no additional cost. If your home is in SDCP’s area, you still receive SDCP’s rebate and yearly payment.
Learn how a prepaid lease works ›
What if I’m not in SDCP’s area?
In cities like Escondido, Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista, served by Clean Energy Alliance, the SDCP rebate isn’t available. A battery can still make sense for backup power and evening usage, and I’ll tell you if it doesn’t.
Already have a battery quote?
I’m happy to give you a second opinion.
What should I have ready?
A recent SDG&E bill
Your inverter brand, if you know it. It’s usually on a label on the box near your electric panel.
Your Green Button usage data. I’ll send you easy steps to download it from your utility account, then run your numbers.
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I’d be happy to review your recent bills with you
and tell you whether a battery or more panels make sense.
Leave your details and I'll be in touch, or call (619) 977-0017.