What is available in San Francisco
These figures come from CleanPowerSF's rooftop solar and battery storage pages, which we read on October 2, 2026. We did not find a current solar cash rebate for households that are not low-income.
GoSolarSF cash incentives
The SFPUC program supports installations in San Francisco, and only incentives for low-income customers remain available.
Residential Battery Storage Program
Marked Coming Soon. Incentives start at $250 per kWh, capped at 15 kWh. Not yet open for reservations.
Solar Inverter Replacement Program
For CARE and FERA customers who received a low-income incentivized GoSolarSF system.
Net Energy Metering credits
Customers who generate their own power get credits for excess energy, and those who generate more than they use over the year can receive a payment.
What the battery program asks
To apply you must be a CleanPowerSF residential customer, be on PG&E's Solar Billing Plan with onsite solar, install a new battery of at least 3 kWh with no existing battery, and reserve the incentive before PG&E gives permission to operate. The battery must be paired with solar and set to a daily cycling mode for its useful life. A 15 kWh battery at $250 per kWh would earn $3,750, which is the cap.
Why the cash rebate went away
GoSolarSF, managed by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, once paid cash for solar installations in the city. CleanPowerSF's page now says only incentives for low-income customers remain available. If a salesperson quotes a city rebate for a standard installation, ask for the program name and check it on CleanPowerSF's site first. The page we read does not offer one.
The battery program is not open yet
CleanPowerSF marks its Residential Battery Storage Program as Coming Soon, so you cannot reserve an incentive yet. Because the rules say you must reserve before PG&E gives permission to operate, do not install a battery planning to claim it without checking the program status first. Incentive levels depend on the backup reserve setting you choose, and the program's rules page has the full table, which we did not read in full. Check it before you pick a battery setting.
Solar Billing Plan and what it means
The program rules tie the battery incentive to PG&E's Solar Billing Plan tariff. Under newer billing plans, excess solar power earns far less than the retail price, so many homes pair solar with a battery to use more of their own power. CleanPowerSF's page describes its own proposal to change how it compensates customers with rooftop solar, called the Solar Billing Plan. Ask any installer which plan your system would be on and to show the savings under that plan.
Your utility: CleanPowerSF
San Francisco's electricity supply comes from CleanPowerSF, with PG&E delivering it. San Francisco gets about 5.1 peak sun hours a day (2020 to 2024) and an average January low of 7.8°C, so solar works but the roofs, shading and fog matter. Pasadena pays $0.60 per watt for solar through its city utility (Pasadena), and San Francisco offers nothing comparable for most households.
Federal money
The federal 25C and 25D tax credits ended after December 31, 2025. Ask an installer to be explicit about any credit they include in a 2026 quote.
Installers in San Francisco
These San Francisco solar companies have the best Google ratings, listed by rating and then review count. We are not paid to list anyone. Ask each which billing plan your system would be on and whether the quote counts any rebate.
See all San Francisco installers →
How to approach a San Francisco solar or battery project
- Confirm that CleanPowerSF supplies your electricity.
- If your household is low-income, ask CleanPowerSF about GoSolarSF and the inverter replacement program.
- Get at least three quotes and ask each to name the billing plan and the savings under it.
- If you want a battery, check whether CleanPowerSF has opened the Residential Battery Storage Program before you install.
- If it is open, reserve the incentive before PG&E gives permission to operate.
- Keep the permits and your permission to operate letter.
Common questions
Is there a solar rebate in San Francisco?
GoSolarSF now pays only low-income customers. We found no current cash rebate for other households.
How much will the battery program pay?
Up to $3,750, at $250 per kWh and capped at 15 kWh, once it opens. CleanPowerSF marks it Coming Soon.
What must I be on to get the battery incentive?
A CleanPowerSF residential customer on PG&E's Solar Billing Plan with onsite solar, installing a new battery of at least 3 kWh.
What is the inverter replacement program?
Rebates of up to $3,000 for inspecting, repairing or replacing solar inverters for CARE and FERA customers who received a low-income GoSolarSF system.
Do I get credit for extra solar power?
Customers receive bill credits for excess energy, and those who generate more than they use over the year can receive a payment.
What to do next
See CleanPowerSF's rooftop solar page and battery storage page, or compare all San Francisco offers on our San Francisco hub.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 2, 2026: CleanPowerSF residential rooftop solar, CleanPowerSF residential battery storage, CleanPowerSF programs and rebates for residents, City of San Francisco plumbing and mechanical permits. All San Francisco rebates → Every CleanPowerSF rebate →