San Jose, CA Solar Panels

The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) is California’s primary rebate program for home battery storage systems. As of 2026, the General Market, Equity, and Equity Resiliency ratepayer-funded tiers are closed to new applicants. The only active pathway is the Residential Solar and Storage Equity (RSSE) program, funded by AB 209 with $280 million in state funds. This tier offers up to $1,100/kWh for battery storage and $3,100/kW for paired solar, potentially covering 100% of system costs for qualifying households. However, most of this budget is already reserved and new applications are being placed on a waitlist.

To qualify for the RSSE program, San Jose residents must be a residential customer of PG&E with a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), or be enrolled in an income-based assistance program. Priority is given to customers in disadvantaged communities (DACs), high fire-threat districts, or areas that have experienced two or more Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events. Incentives are calculated on usable battery capacity (kWh) and cannot exceed the total installed cost of the system.

Even though the RSSE budget is currently waitlisted, it is worth applying to secure your place in line, as funding may become available. The program is administered through the SGIP portal at selfgenca.com. Eligible battery technologies include grid-tied lithium-ion systems from approved manufacturers. Incentives typically apply to up to 30 kWh of capacity for standard residential projects, or up to 80 kWh for households qualifying under resiliency criteria.

The Disadvantaged Communities – Single-Family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) program offers income-qualified homeowners in disadvantaged communities an incentive of up to $3 per watt for solar systems between 1 and 5 kW, which can effectively cover the full cost of a rooftop solar installation. The program is active through 2030 and is administered by GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit organization. Applications are processed directly by GRID Alternatives — not through private solar installers — so homeowners in San Jose should contact them directly to begin the process.

To be eligible, you must meet all three of the following criteria: (1) receive electric service from PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E (2) own and occupy a single-family home as your primary residence; and (3) live in a disadvantaged community (DAC) as identified by the CalEnviroScreen 4.0 map (top 25% of census tracts statewide). Additionally, your total household income must fall within CARE or FERA program limits — through May 31, 2026, that means no more than $52,875 for a 1–2 person household or $94,125 for a 5-person household.

DAC-SASH is one of California’s most impactful solar equity programs, specifically designed to bring the benefits of rooftop solar to households that would otherwise be priced out. To apply or check eligibility, complete the online form at GRID Alternatives’ website or call toll-free at (866) 921-4696. Because this program targets underserved communities, it also includes workforce development and solar job training components.

The Residential Solar and Storage Equity (RSSE) program, funded through AB 209 with $280 million in state appropriations, is the most generous solar and battery incentive currently available in California. It offers $1,100/kWh for battery storage and $3,100/kW for paired solar installations, with the potential to cover 100% of system costs for qualifying low-income households. The program opened for reservations on June 2, 2025, and is available to customers of PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and LADWP (LADWP applications were expected to open by end of 2025).

Eligibility requires that your household income be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), or that you are enrolled in an income-based assistance program such as CARE or FERA. Preference is given to households located in designated disadvantaged communities (DACs), high fire-threat zones, or areas that have experienced repeated Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). The incentive is structured as a rebate applied to the installed cost of the system and cannot exceed total project costs.

As of April 2026, most RSSE sub-budgets are fully reserved and new applicants are being placed on a waitlist. However, some sub-budgets (such as the SCE RSSE-AB 209 POU sub-budget) have shown small amounts of remaining funding. Homeowners in San Jose are encouraged to apply through the official SGIP portal at selfgenca.com to secure a waitlist position, as additional funding rounds may become available. This program can be combined with the DAC-SASH solar rebate for maximum savings.

The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program provides financial incentives for installing solar photovoltaic systems on multifamily affordable housing properties in California. Building owners and affordable housing developers can receive up to $3.50 per AC Watt for solar generation that directly benefits tenants, and $1.19 per AC Watt for systems serving common areas. The program is funded by up to $100 million annually from electric utility Greenhouse Gas Auction Proceeds and has been extended through 2032 under Senate Bill 355 (2023).

SOMAH is designed to bring the economic benefits of solar energy to low-income renters who cannot install their own rooftop systems. Eligible properties must be located in California’s disadvantaged communities (DACs), defined as census tracts scoring in the top 25% statewide on the CalEnviroScreen tool. The program is administered by a consortium of nonprofits including the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE), GRID Alternatives, the Association for Energy Affordability (AEA), and the California Housing Partnership Corporation (CHPC).

As of May 22, 2026, SOMAH has paused integrated battery storage incentive additions in PG&E service territory until further notice, though solar-only incentives remain available. A waitlist form is available for active applications in the PowerClerk portal. Property owners and developers in San Jose interested in the program should visit calsomah.org for eligibility details, application instructions, and to connect with program administrators.

The Disadvantaged Communities – Green Tariff (DAC-GT) program is designed for income-qualified residents in disadvantaged communities who are unable to install rooftop solar — such as renters or homeowners with unsuitable roofs. Through this program, eligible customers receive a 20% discount on their electricity bill by being credited with energy from utility-scale clean energy sources. The program is available through PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E and was approved and improved by the CPUC as part of a broader 2024 decision that also launched the new Community Renewable Energy (CRE) Program.

To qualify, customers must meet the income eligibility requirements for either the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs, and must reside in a designated disadvantaged community (DAC). This program is specifically intended for those who cannot participate in rooftop solar programs like DAC-SASH or SOMAH, ensuring that the benefits of clean energy reach all income levels in underserved communities.

The DAC-GT program requires no installation or upfront cost — the bill discount is applied directly to your monthly electric bill once you are enrolled. San Jose customers interested in enrolling should contact PG&E directly or visit the CPUC’s program page for more information. This program can be a meaningful source of ongoing savings for renters and others who lack access to traditional solar incentives.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing is a state-supported program administered by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) that allows homeowners to install solar panels and battery storage systems with no money upfront. Instead of a traditional loan, the financing is tied to your property and repaid through your property tax bill over a period of typically 10 to 20 years. Because the debt is secured by the property rather than the borrower, PACE programs often offer competitive interest rates and are accessible to homeowners who may not qualify for traditional financing.

One of the key advantages of PACE financing is that it is transferable — if you sell your home, the remaining balance can transfer to the new owner along with the property, which can be a selling point when marketing a solar-equipped home. PACE financing can be used for solar panel systems, battery storage, and other qualifying clean energy improvements. California is one of only a handful of states that offers PACE financing, making it a unique option for homeowners in San Jose.

It is important to understand that PACE is a loan, not a grant or rebate — you will pay interest over the life of the financing term, and the repayment obligation is attached to your property. Homeowners should carefully review the terms, interest rates, and total cost before entering a PACE agreement. The DFPI provides consumer protections and oversight for PACE providers in California. PACE financing can be combined with other incentives such as SGIP battery rebates and the property tax exclusion to reduce overall system costs.