How does the California Rate Relief Program work?

We install solar panels on your roof at no cost out of pocket. Instead of paying your utility company a different amount every month, you pay a fixed monthly payment that is typically 30 to 50% less than what you are currently paying. The program covers 100% of the cost for solar panels, backup batteries, and installation.

Who qualifies for the Rate Relief Program?

California homeowners with SCE, PG&E, or SDG&E as their utility provider, monthly electric bills of $150 or more, and a credit score of 650 or above typically qualify. Renters are not eligible for this program.

Is there any cost to the homeowner?

There is $0 out of pocket cost. The program covers the full cost of solar panels, battery storage, and professional installation. Instead of paying your utility company, you simply pay a lower, fixed rate for the power generated by the system on your roof.

What happens if something breaks?

The program includes a comprehensive 25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. If a panel breaks, it gets fixed. If an inverter fails, it gets replaced. All maintenance and repairs are covered at no cost to you for 25 years.

Which utility companies are supported?

The program currently supports homeowners with Southern California Edison (SCE), Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Moreno Valley Utility (MVU), and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).

Can Solar Panels Power a Whole House in California?

Yes, absolutely — a correctly sized solar + battery system can power a whole California home, day and night, year-round. But the specifics matter: how much electricity your home actually uses, whether you add a battery, what loads you prioritize, and whether you're connected to the grid as a backstop. Here's what it actually takes to run a California home entirely on solar in 2026.

Three Setups That "Power a Whole House"

1. Solar + battery + grid (most common). Your panels cover daytime load plus charge the battery. Battery covers evenings. Grid is a backstop for multi-day storms, large loads, or if the battery depletes. For 80-95% of the year, your home runs on solar with grid playing backup. This is what most California solar homes do.

2. Solar + battery + backup generator (off-grid capable). Battery covers normal evenings and short outages; a generator kicks in for extended multi-day grid outages. Technically still grid-connected but can run indefinitely through extended PSPS events.

3. Fully off-grid (rare in CA residential). No grid connection at all. Requires very large battery capacity (3-5+ batteries), often a generator, significant solar oversizing for winter/cloudy periods. Expensive and complex; mostly for remote cabins where grid connection isn't available.

What It Takes to Cover Your Whole House

For a typical California household (900-1,200 kWh/month), whole-house coverage usually looks like:

•8-11 kW of solar panels
•One or two batteries (13.5 kWh each)
•Properly sized inverter (often integrated with the battery)
•Critical-loads or whole-home backup panel depending on budget

Why Most California Solar Homes Stay Grid-Tied

Going fully off-grid in California typically costs 2-3x more than solar + battery + grid, because you have to oversize everything to handle worst-case winter weeks. The grid is a nearly-free backstop — you pay a fixed monthly charge plus any grid electricity you import during outlier weather. For most California households, the math favors grid-tied with backup.

What About During an Outage?

A solar + battery system continues powering your home during a grid outage — day or night. A solar-only system (no battery) shuts off automatically during outages to protect utility workers. See our outage guide for details.

Whole-Home vs Critical Loads Backup

Two battery configurations are common in California:

Whole-home backup. During an outage, the battery powers everything — AC, EV charger, electric oven, pool pump. Requires a larger battery (usually 2+) to sustain. More expensive.

Critical loads backup. Only selected circuits stay powered during an outage — refrigerator, lights, internet, medical equipment, one HVAC zone. One battery typically suffices. Cheaper install, often sufficient for PSPS events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can solar power run an entire house 24/7?

With battery storage, yes — for most days. Multi-day cloudy or winter storms may require grid or generator backup. A correctly sized solar + battery system covers 80-95% of annual household load.

Can solar run AC and an EV charger at the same time?

During daytime peak production, yes. You may need to size up (10-15 kW solar, 2+ batteries) if both run during evening peak. Smart load management on newer systems can sequence loads to stay within battery capacity.

Do I need to give up the grid to run my house on solar?

No, and most California homes don't. Grid-tied solar + battery gives you backup-ready self-sufficiency while keeping the grid as a rarely-used safety net. Going fully off-grid is more expensive and rarely needed in California.

How much does whole-home solar cost in California?

Typical 8-11 kW solar + 1-2 battery install runs $30,000-$55,000 cash price in California in 2026 before the 30% federal tax credit. Loan, lease, and PPA financing are all available to avoid upfront cost.