SGIP Battery Rebate Explained
California's home battery rebate: what each budget pays per kWh, which ones are closed, who still qualifies, and how the waitlist works.
The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) pays a rebate per kWh of home battery. As of October 1, 2026, only the income-qualified equity budget, at $1,100 per kWh, is still taking applications, and most territories have a waitlist. The general market budget ($150/kWh) and Equity Resiliency ($1,000/kWh) are closed everywhere. For most homeowners, there is no SGIP money right now.
The budgets and their status
Status from the program administrators' budget tracker, as of October 1, 2026:
| Budget | Who it's for | Battery rate | 13.5 kWh battery | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Solar and Storage Equity (state-funded) | Income-qualified households | $1,100/kWh, plus $3.10/W for paired solar | $14,850 | Open or active in parts of PG&E and SCE territory; waitlist elsewhere |
| Residential Solar and Storage Equity (ratepayer-funded) | Income-qualified households | $1,100/kWh | $14,850 | Closed |
| Equity Resiliency | Fire-zone or shutoff-hit homes with a medical, income or well-pump need | $1,000/kWh | $13,500 | Closed |
| Small Residential Storage (general market) | Everyone else | $150/kWh | $2,025 | Closed |
SGIP pays by usable battery capacity, so a 13.5 kWh battery, a common size for a single home battery, sets the examples. Budgets pay out in steps, and the rate drops as each step fills; these are the current step rates.
Who still qualifies
The equity budget is for income-qualified households. PG&E lists these requirements:
- Household income at or below 80% of the area median income (HUD's county figures).
- Participation, with verified income, in CARE, FERA or the Energy Savings Assistance program.
- A home in PG&E's service area, including customers of municipal utilities and community choice aggregators there.
- Renters qualify with the landlord's approval.
The rebate can cover a battery alone or a battery with new solar, and PG&E says it can pay up to 100% of the cost. The incentive doesn't count as income for Medi-Cal. SCE, SoCalGas and the Center for Sustainable Energy (which runs SGIP for SDG&E customers) apply the same program handbook.
How the waitlist works
Homeowners don't apply on their own; an SGIP-approved installer files the application. When a budget is closed or waitlisted, ask the installer to file a waitlist application. Projects move off the waitlist in order if the budget gets more money, and PG&E says it notifies waitlisted customers when funds open up. Don't sign a contract that counts on the rebate until you have a confirmed reservation.
What closed, and why it matters
Until recently, any homeowner could get a few thousand dollars toward a battery from the general market budget, and the 30% federal tax credit covered batteries too. Both are gone for new buyers: the general market budget is closed, and the federal residential clean energy credit ended for systems placed in service after 2025. Batteries still pay off under NEM 3.0's solar billing plan, where storing midday solar for the evening is worth more than exporting it, but without SGIP a battery has to earn its keep on bill savings and backup power alone.
Estimate your rebate
The SGIP Battery Rebate Calculator picks your budget and shows its status. For the bill side, see NEM 3.0 explained and the California Solar Savings Calculator; to check the income test, use the CARE Eligibility Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the SGIP rebate for a home battery?
As of October 1, 2026: $1,100 per kWh for income-qualified households under the Residential Solar and Storage Equity budget, $1,000 per kWh under Equity Resiliency and $150 per kWh under the general market budget. For a 13.5 kWh battery that's $14,850, $13,500 or $2,025.
Is SGIP still available in 2026?
Only for income-qualified households, and mostly by waitlist. As of October 1, 2026, the general market and Equity Resiliency budgets are closed in every territory; the state-funded equity budget is open or active in parts of PG&E and SCE territory and waitlisted elsewhere.
Who qualifies for the SGIP equity rebate?
PG&E lists household income at or below 80% of the area median, participation (with verified income) in CARE, FERA or the Energy Savings Assistance program, and a home in its service area, including customers of municipal utilities and community choice aggregators there. Renters can qualify with the landlord's approval.
Do I need solar to get SGIP?
No. The equity budget pays for a battery alone or a battery with new solar; the solar part earns $3.10 per watt on top of the battery rebate.
Can I combine SGIP with the federal tax credit?
Not for new systems: the 30% federal residential clean energy credit, which covered home batteries, ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025.
This article is for general information only. SGIP budgets open, close and waitlist without notice; confirm the live status with your installer or program administrator. Sources: SGIP budget tracker (selfgenca.com, data as of October 1, 2026); PG&E Self-Generation Incentive Program page.