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2x Free Whole House Batteries - Participating in Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)
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2x Free Whole House Batteries - Participating in Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)

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home
income eligible
battery storage systems
energy storage technology
emergency preparedness
low income
medically vulnerable customers
high fire-threat areas
power shut-offs
critical facilities
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Golden State Financing Authority
rebates
application process
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Equity
Equity Resiliency
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electric well pumps
Local Program Administrators
Eligibility
Low income and medically vulnerable customers, communities living in high fire-threat areas, communities that have experienced two or more utility Public Safety Power Shut-off (PSPS) events, "critical facilities" that support community resilience in the event of a PSPS or wildfire
Auto Summary
The original SGIP Equity and Equity Resiliency battery rebates closed to new applications on Dec 31, 2025. The successor program, Residential Solar and Storage Equity (RSSE / AB 209), pays $1.10/Wh for batteries and $3.10/W for paired solar to income-qualified households (≤80% AMI or CARE/FERA/ESA enrolled) of PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SoCalGas, or LADWP — but as of May 2026 it is fully reserved and only accepting waitlist applications.
Value
$1.10/Wh battery + $3.10/W solar (waitlist)
Espanol
2x Baterías de Casa Completa Gratis - Participando en el Programa de Incentivos para la Auto-Generación (SGIP)
URL
https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/electrical-energy/demand-side-management/self-generation-incentive-program/participating-in-self-generation-incentive-program-sgip
Last verified 2026-05-17.
⚠️ The original SGIP Equity and Equity Resiliency budgets — the ones that offered nearly-free home batteries — closed to new applications on December 31, 2025. The successor program (RSSE / AB 209) opened June 2, 2025 but is now fully reserved and waitlist-only as of December 31, 2025. [Source: solarwithwatts.com/sgip (accessed 2026-05-17)] [Source: selfgenca.com/home/program_metrics (accessed 2026-05-17)]

What this program is

The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) is run by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). For years it gave large rebates — sometimes paying for the whole battery — to low-income households, medically vulnerable customers, and people in wildfire zones who installed home battery storage.
That version of the program is no longer accepting new applications. The current successor is called the Residential Solar and Storage Equity (RSSE) program, funded by Assembly Bill 209.

What RSSE pays (if a spot opens)

  • $1.10 per watt-hour of battery storage (so $1,100 per kWh)
  • $3.10 per watt of paired solar
  • For many income-eligible households this can cover 100% of the system cost.
[Source: selfgenca.com/home/program_metrics (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Who qualifies for RSSE

You must meet all of these:
  • Be a residential customer of PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SoCalGas, or LADWP.
  • Either (a) have household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income, or (b) be enrolled in CARE, FERA, or ESA.
  • Install a paired solar + battery system, or add a battery to an existing solar system.
[Source: ecoflow.com/us/blog/california-sgip-rsse-resiliency-model (accessed 2026-05-17)]

How to apply (waitlist)

As of May 2026, RSSE is fully reserved. New applications go onto a waitlist and are only funded when an existing reservation cancels. There is no announced reopening date.
  1. Contact your utility's SGIP program administrator (links below) and ask to be put on the RSSE AB 209 waitlist.
  1. Find a participating installer through your utility's SGIP page. The installer typically files the application for you.
  1. Keep a copy of your CARE / FERA / ESA enrollment or income documentation — you will need it.

Program administrators by utility

Common pitfalls

  • Don't pay an installer up front expecting an SGIP check to arrive. RSSE is waitlist-only right now — there is no guarantee a reservation will open.
  • Watch out for door-to-door pitches that promise a "free SGIP battery." With the budget closed, anyone claiming guaranteed funding today is not being straight with you.
  • A "Step 7" or "Small Residential Storage" rebate still exists but pays only about $0.15/Wh — far less than RSSE. It is not the income-equity program. Ask your installer to spell out which budget your application is going into.

Alternatives while you wait

  • SMUD customers (Sacramento) — SMUD runs its own battery rebate (up to ~$5,400 per Powerwall) that is separate from SGIP and still active. [Source: solarwithwatts.com/sgip (accessed 2026-05-17)]
  • Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit — Still pays 30% of battery + solar costs as a tax credit on your federal return.
  • $0-down solar/battery leases or PPAs — No rebate needed, but read the contract carefully; ownership and escalator terms vary.

Where to get help

  • 2026 SGIP Handbook: download from selfgenca.com for the current rules.
SGIP Providers Directory

Sources

  • solarwithwatts.com/sgip — confirmation that General Market, Equity, and Equity Resiliency budgets closed 2025-12-31 (accessed 2026-05-17)
  • cpuc.ca.gov — official program page (accessed 2026-05-17)
Re-confirmed 2026-05-30: The big SGIP Equity / Equity Resiliency battery budgets remain closed (ended Dec 31, 2025), and the successor RSSE (AB 209) program is still fully reserved / waitlist-only with no announced reopening date. Be cautious of door-to-door pitches promising a "free SGIP battery" — there is no guaranteed funding right now. Still-active alternatives: the federal 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (battery + solar) and, for Sacramento-area SMUD customers, SMUD's own separate battery rebate. [Source: selfgenca.com (accessed 2026-05-30)]