Can I still get a battery rebate through SGIP?
The general market budget is closed. Since December 31, 2025, new applications are accepted only to the Residential Solar and Storage Equity (AB 209) budget, which is fully reserved; new applications are wait-listed.
Short answer
The general market budget is closed. Since December 31, 2025, new applications are accepted only to the Residential Solar and Storage Equity (AB 209) budget, which is fully reserved; new applications are wait-listed. Applications are normally submitted by an approved developer, and program conditions require the battery to charge primarily from renewable generation.
On this page
What SGIP is
The Self-Generation Incentive Program is a California ratepayer-funded program administered through the investor-owned utilities under CPUC oversight. Over its life it has supported a range of distributed energy technologies; for most customers today it functions as a battery storage incentive, paid per kilowatt-hour of installed capacity.
The tiers, and why they matter enormously
| Budget | Broadly who it serves | Relative incentive level |
|---|---|---|
| General market | Standard residential and commercial customers | Lowest |
| Equity | Low-income households and customers in disadvantaged communities, per program definitions | Higher |
| Equity resiliency | Customers in high fire-threat districts, those affected by repeated public safety power shutoffs, and certain medically vulnerable households | Highest |
The general market budget is closed. Since December 31, 2025, new applications are accepted only to the Residential Solar and Storage Equity (AB 209) budget, which is fully reserved; new applications are wait-listed.
How the money runs out
The general market budget is closed. Since December 31, 2025, new applications are accepted only to the Residential Solar and Storage Equity (AB 209) budget, which is fully reserved; new applications are wait-listed.
We check remaining budget in your territory at proposal stage and tell you what we actually find.
Conditions worth knowing before you plan around it
- Storage must be installed by a participating developer and meet program equipment requirements.
- Operational conditions apply, including that the battery charges primarily from renewable generation.
- Applications move through reservation, installation and claim stages, each with documentation.
- A state rebate may affect the tax basis used for a federal credit — a question for your CPA.
Not tax or legal advice
Current Energy is a licensed contractor. This page summarises publicly available rules as they stood on October 8, 2026 and is not tax, legal or financial advice. Programs change. Confirm anything that affects a real decision with your CPA or tax counsel.
Sources and further reading
- California Public Utilities Commission — Self-Generation Incentive Program
- Grid Association — California SGIP battery incentives, 2026 update
Questions we get asked
How much is the SGIP rebate worth?
The general market budget is closed. Since December 31, 2025, new applications are accepted only to the Residential Solar and Storage Equity (AB 209) budget, which is fully reserved; new applications are wait-listed.
Who qualifies for the equity resiliency tier?
That tier is not accepting new applications. The general market budget is closed. Since December 31, 2025, new applications are accepted only to the Residential Solar and Storage Equity (AB 209) budget, which is fully reserved; new applications are wait-listed.
Does SGIP cover solar panels?
No. SGIP is a distributed generation and storage program; in current practice for most customers it is a storage incentive. Solar panels themselves are not covered by it.
Do I apply, or does the installer?
Applications are normally submitted by an approved developer on the customer’s behalf, with reservation, installation and claim stages. Requirements include operational conditions — notably that the battery charges primarily from renewable generation.
Can I combine SGIP with the federal credit?
People frequently do combine state incentives with federal tax credits, but a state rebate can affect the tax basis used to calculate a federal credit. That interaction is squarely a question for your tax advisor, not for your installer.
Reviewed and updated October 8, 2026
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