The San Francisco solar panel rebate, GoSolarSF, now pays only low-income homeowners through its DAC-SASH category, and all other categories have filled and closed. The new San Francisco money is for batteries: CleanPowerSF's Residential Battery Storage Program is now accepting applications. DuloCore checked each program below on November 3, 2026.
For statewide programs beyond San Francisco, see our California solar panel rebates guide.
Across the Bay, Oakland homes get their solar and battery incentives from Ava Community Energy; see our guide to Oakland solar incentives.
For market-rate customers, that battery program pays $250 per kWh of storage. To estimate what a system could save on your own PG&E and CleanPowerSF bills, try our solar panel savings calculator.
Is There a San Francisco Solar Panel Rebate in 2026?
Yes, for low-income homeowners: on November 3, 2026, the SFPUC listed DAC-SASH as the only GoSolarSF category still open, and every other category had closed.
GoSolarSF is the city's own solar incentive, run by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) for both Hetch Hetchy Power and CleanPowerSF customers. Since its 2008 launch it has paid out nearly $30 million and supported 6,000 solar systems in the city, according to the SFPUC GoSolarSF page. The GoSolarSF office takes questions at 415-554-3434.
For homeowners also replacing a gas furnace or water heater, our guide to San Francisco heat pump bill credits covers that side of the city's programs.
Can You Get Free Solar in San Francisco?
Yes, if you qualify for DAC-SASH, a state program that installs no-cost rooftop solar for income-qualified homeowners in disadvantaged communities, and GoSolarSF adds a top-up.
The CPUC page on solar in disadvantaged communities lists incentives of $3 per watt, funded at $10 million per year from 2019 through 2030. A disadvantaged community is a census tract in the top 25 percent statewide on CalEnviroScreen. The program serves income-qualified owners of single-family homes in those tracts.
In San Francisco, GoSolarSF adds a supplemental incentive to these systems while funding lasts. The path runs through GRID Alternatives:
- Check your eligibility with GRID Alternatives at 866-921-4696 or through its online application.
- Sign a contract with GRID Alternatives; the SFPUC requires it before any GoSolarSF DAC-SASH application.
- GRID Alternatives files the GoSolarSF application for you.
Homeowners paying market rate can see our breakdown of solar installation cost in the Bay Area.
How Much Is the CleanPowerSF Battery Rebate?
CleanPowerSF pays $250 per kWh for market-rate customers, $600 for CARE or FERA customers and $1,100 for DAC-SASH homes, on up to 15 kWh.
The CleanPowerSF Residential Battery Storage Program is now accepting applications for home batteries charged by solar on the same property. The $3,750 figure on its program page equals 15 kWh at the market rate of $250 per kWh. Funding goes to eligible customers first come, first served.
| Customer type |
Incentive per kWh |
| Market rate |
$250 |
| CARE or FERA |
$600 |
| DAC-SASH |
$1,100 |
The incentive counts the first 15 kWh of capacity, and larger batteries can still take part. The full rate requires a backup reserve setting of 20% or less. The program rules show the effect: a market-rate battery held at a 50% reserve earns $125 per kWh. The home must be on the PG&E Solar Billing Plan and be adding its first battery.
- Reserve the incentive before PG&E grants Permission to Operate (PTO), the approval to switch the system on. A reservation lasts 6 months.
- Install the battery.
- Send the claim form and documents within 45 days of the PTO date.
Before you choose a battery installer, read how to compare Bay Area solar installers.
How Does Solar Billing Work for CleanPowerSF Customers?
New solar customers served by PG&E and CleanPowerSF go on the PG&E Solar Billing Plan, and CleanPowerSF has approved its own export credit to take effect in May 2027.
Under the CleanPowerSF Solar Billing Plan tariff, approved to take effect in May 2027, residential exports will earn 85% of the CleanPowerSF E-ELEC rate. Systems whose interconnection application arrived after April 14, 2023, or that were installed more than 20 years ago, move to this plan by default. Customers on that plan will keep their unused monthly credits at the annual true-up; under the older NEM plan, CleanPowerSF pays $0.0893 per kWh for leftover credit.
In PG&E, SCE and SDG&E territory, new solar customers moved to net billing on April 15, 2023, and the older NEM tariffs closed to new enrollments, according to the CPUC net billing page. Extra credits roll forward month to month until the true-up. PG&E residential customers who apply to connect before the end of 2027 receive slightly higher export credits for nine years.
Owners who plan to charge a car from midday solar can read about EV charger installation cost in San Francisco.
Is the SGIP Battery Rebate Open in San Francisco?
SGIP, the state battery program, now serves San Francisco homes through its low-income equity budget, and part of that budget shows a waitlist for PG&E customers.
The CPUC SGIP page says the Residential Solar and Storage Equity budget, funded at $280 million, pays for paired solar and batteries at low-income homes anywhere in California. For PG&E, the SGIP waitlist page shows a waitlist for the AB 209 part of that equity budget.
For apartment buildings, SOMAH serves multifamily affordable housing in California, but it has paused new battery reservations in PG&E territory, which includes San Francisco.
How Do You Get a Solar Permit in San Francisco?
A licensed contractor files the permit with the Department of Building Inspection (DBI), and fire and electrical inspectors sign off before PG&E connects it.
- Hire a contractor with the right California license. A C-46 solar license covers systems without a battery.
- For an existing one- or two-family home, the city offers the SolarAPP+ instant permit for eligible systems. A project with a battery goes through the standard solar permit or plan review route.
- After installation, call the SF Fire Department at (415) 558-3300 to book its inspection.
- Once the fire inspection passes, book the DBI electrical inspection at (628) 652-3400.
- PG&E connects the system after both sign-offs. The city adds fees when a project needs more than two inspections.
Did the Federal Solar Tax Credit End?
Yes, the federal solar tax credit ended for property placed in service after December 31, 2025, so San Francisco homeowners now rely on state and city programs.
The IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit page confirms the credit ended on that date. For a San Francisco system installed in 2026, the programs in this guide are DAC-SASH with the GoSolarSF top-up for low-income homes, the CleanPowerSF battery program and the SGIP equity budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can renters get the CleanPowerSF battery rebate?
Yes, with the owner's approval: CleanPowerSF tenants apply together with a signed Property Owner Notice and Release Form from the property owner.
Can you combine the CleanPowerSF battery rebate with SGIP?
Yes, in general. CleanPowerSF lets you combine its battery incentive with other battery funding programs, unless the SFPUC also funds that other program; its rules do not name SGIP.
Is there help with inverter repairs on a GoSolarSF system?
Yes, for CleanPowerSF CARE and FERA customers whose solar came through a low-income GoSolarSF incentive.
The CleanPowerSF Solar Inverter Replacement Program covers inspection, repair and replacement of the inverter, with rebates capped at $3,000.
Planning solar or a battery in San Francisco? See which of these programs fit your home with the free eligibility check.
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