Energy Savings Pros is your go-to source for the latest information on battery storage rebates in Sacramento and Loomis, California, and the top battery installer in the area. To make the installation process more affordable, we want you to know about the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) that offers Californians living in fire zones and meeting other eligibility requirements a chance to receive rebates for battery storage that can cover up to 100% of the total project cost.
Battery storage can be a lifeline source of backup electricity during power outages and help homeowners avoid high utility prices during peak demand periods. With the combined benefits of the 30% federal tax credit and SGIP rebate, eligible California homeowners can significantly reduce or eliminate the cost of battery storage. Some residents can even access battery power storage at no cost!
Getting Familiar With SGIP
The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) is an initiative by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that rewards you with a rebate for installing battery storage in your home if you qualify.
The SGIP rebate is paid as a reimbursement after your battery storage project is installed, and it covers a portion or the entirety of the cost of the equipment and installation.
You don’t have to pair your battery storage with solar panels to qualify for the SGIP rebate, but there are benefits to doing so, especially in California, where there are also incentives for solar panel installation.
Battery storage rebates in California
For homeowners and renters in California, a backup battery system may seem like a luxury. But for people who rely on electricity for medical equipment or well water, it can literally save your life during power outages.
Additionally, using residential battery storage during extreme heat or during times of increased fire risks common throughout California can help stabilize the energy grid and prevent blackouts.
These are some of the many reasons California offers rebates for residential battery storage through the SGIP program. If you’re interested in taking advantage of this substantial battery discount, let’s find out if you qualify.
Do I qualify for a battery storage rebate with SGIP?
There are three levels of SGIP rebates available. These rebates offer incentives ranging from $150-$1,000 per kilowatt-hour of battery storage installed, meaning you could get a discount of around 15-100% of the total project cost.
Here are the details for each level:
General
At this level, you can qualify for around 15-20% off battery incentives for $150-$200 per kilowatt-hour of battery storage.
The General level is for small residential storage. To be eligible, your utility provider must be PG&E, Southern California Edison, or San Diego Gas & Electric.
Equity
At $850 per kilowatt-hour of battery storage, you can qualify for around 85% off at the Equity level.
There are a few more requirements to qualify at this level. First, you have to be a resident in an eligible single-family home or apartment building, and you must have previously qualified for any of the following:
- MASH
- SASH
- SOMAH
- DAC-SASH
But if you are a resident of Indian County, you are automatically eligible.
This battery storage rebate level is intended for lower-income populations, with qualifications determined by housing.
Equity Resilience
At this level, you’ll get a battery storage rebate of 100% off at $1,000 per kilowatt-hour of battery storage installed.
To qualify for Equity Resilience, you must live in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 fire zone and have experienced at least two or more emergency power shut-offs.
Furthermore, you must also qualify for one of the following:
- Live in an eligible housing type
- Be part of a Baseline Medical Program
- Notified your utility provider that you or someone in your family has a significant illness or life-threatening medical condition
- Previously qualified for SASH, MASH, SOMAH, or DAC-SASH
- Have a well as your water source that utilizes an electric pump
We understand that these levels might seem confusing or intimidating. Fortunately, our team at Energy Saving Pros is here to help. Just call our office and ask for assistance. We will be happy to let you know what level you qualify for and begin installing your batteries or retrofitting your existing system as soon as possible.
How to ensure you receive your battery incentives
You are probably wondering how you can ensure your SGIP battery storage rebate. The most essential thing to do is to ask your battery storage installers if they know about the SGIP battery incentives and if they can help you apply.
Applying through the installers can save you much time and effort. You can still receive your battery storage rebate if you plan on doing the work and installation yourself, but you have to fill out the paperwork and prove that you qualify. Here are the steps you need to take to apply for the SGIP battery incentives if you are doing the work on your own:
- Request a reservation by filling out this form
- Wait for your reservation confirmation letter
- Install your battery storage system
- After the installation is complete, submit a claim form
- An administrator might schedule an inspection
- Once the installation is approved, the payment process for the incentive will commence
To lock in your battery storage rebate, you must submit a Reservation Request. Because the SGIP program only has a set amount of funds allocated for each rebate level, apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on the battery incentives.
In addition to the SGIP battery storage rebates, a federal tax credit is available for battery storage projects that can help offset the costs even more. This tax credit is worth 30% of the gross cost of the project, including installation and labor costs, and can be used in conjunction with the SGIP rebates to make battery storage even more affordable.
Because combining the federal tax credit with the SGIP battery incentives is complicated, our team at Energy Saving Pros recommends getting assistance. We are a company focused on helping you with every step of the process, from applying to SGIP to the complete installation.
Installing battery storage ensures your car stays charged in the event of a power outage
Electric vehicles are growing in popularity as ways to reduce greenhouse gasses and emissions. In fact, by the year 2035, California will require all passenger vehicles sold in the state to be electric or zero-emission models.
Installing battery storage with SGIP incentives is an excellent way to ensure free car battery storage. Your electric car will remain charged and ready to drive no matter what is happening with the power grid.
In a typical property, the charging station for an electric car is connected to the main power grid, which means it will stop working during a power outage. However, by installing battery storage utilizing the SGIP battery incentives, you can keep your charging station operational even when the main power grid is down. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about running out of battery power when you need it most.
Contact Energy Saving Pros today
Energy Saving Pros can help you take advantage of California’s battery incentives through the SGIP program. By installing battery storage, you can help prevent rolling blackouts and even save your family in times of natural disaster or crisis.
As a customer of PG&E, SCE, SoCalGas, or SDG&E, you may be eligible. You might even qualify for free battery storage installation. Don’t wait until funds run out — contact Energy Saving Pros today to begin the application and installation process.