California Battery Rebates
Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) Rebates
The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) offers valuable rebates for home battery storage systems, backed by over $1 billion in funding from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Based on your income, fire zone location, and utility status, you may qualify for a rebate that covers part or nearly all of your battery system, with incentives reaching up to $13,200 per Tesla Powerwall.
Explore the three SGIP rebate options below, or speak with a Photon Brothers expert to see which rebate you may qualify for.
1) Residential Solar & Storage Equity Rebate
California’s SGIP Residential Solar & Storage Equity rebate offers substantial financial incentives for income-qualified households to install solar panels and battery storage systems.
Rebate Highlights:
- Battery Storage: $1,100 per kWh (That’s $14,850 for a Tesla Powerwall)
- Solar Installation: $3.10 per watt (That’s up to $15,500 for a 5kW solar system)
- Panel & Wiring Upgrade: $3,500
- Direct Payment: Rebate paid directly to contractor; no upfront cost to homeowner or renter
Eligibility Criteria:
- Income Limits: Household income must not exceed low-income thresholds based on household size
- Automatic Qualification: Enrollment in CARE, FERA, or ESA programs
Program Requirements: Customers are required to enroll in a 10-year Demand Response Program as part of the SGIP RSSE rebate. Only projects that include a battery with solar, or battery-only installations, are eligible. If the solar system exceeds 5 kW or the battery storage is greater than 15 kWh, load justification must be provided using Green Button Data and the SGIP worksheet. Applicants must also submit their most recent W2 to verify income eligibility.
Important Notes: This rebate cannot be combined with any other rebate program. The total rebate amount must be deducted from the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC).
For detailed income eligibility levels, please refer to this chart:
2) Equity Resiliency Rebate
**This program closed December 30, 2025**
This powerful rebate can cover nearly 100% of the cost of a home battery, making backup power more accessible for high-risk households
Rebate Highlights:
- Battery Incentive: $1,000 per kilowatt-hour (That’s about $13,200 for a Tesla Powerwall)
Who Qualifies: To qualify, you must live in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 fire zone or have experienced two or more Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events.
- Check the Fire Zone Map here
- Check your PSPS status with PG&E or SCE
And one of the following must also be true:
- You are enrolled in your utility’s Medical Baseline program (e.g., using a CPAP or other electricity-dependent medical device)
- You meet low-income qualifications and use an electric well pump
- You have Life Support flagged on your utility account
3) Small Residential Rebate
This SGIP rebate helps reduce the cost of a home battery for eligible customers living in high fire-risk areas.
Rebate Highlights:
- Battery Incentive: $0.15 per watt-hour (Approximately $1,900 per Tesla Powerwall)
- Current Status: The program is currently in Step 7
Click here to learn the SGIP rebate steps and metrics.This rebate covers a portion of the cost of the home battery.
Who Qualifies: To qualify for this rebate, you must live in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 fire zone.
We Make It Easy to Claim Your Rebate
Photon Brothers is a Certified Premier Tesla Installer and has been selected to provide the Tesla Powerwall, the CPUC’s preferred home battery for SGIP programs. Our team will guide you through every step of installation and handle the SGIP rebate filing on your behalf.
Plus, any remaining out-of-pocket costs that aren’t covered by SGIP may qualify for the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit.
We Handle the Paperwork — And Help You Maximize Your Savings
As a Certified Premier Tesla Installer, Photon Brothers has an in-house rebate team dedicated to managing the SGIP application process for you. We’ve successfully processed hundreds of rebates and work hard to secure the maximum funding available for your battery system. SGIP funds are limited and may require a waitlist, but applications are processed as more funding becomes available.
Earn Even More with the Virtual Power Plant
After your Powerwall is installed, you can opt into California’s Virtual Power Plant program. This allows your battery to send extra energy back to the grid during high-demand events, while still keeping backup power for your home. Participants earn $2 for every kWh shared during a grid event. Learn more about the Virtual Power Plant here.
Not Sure if You Qualify?
Reach our to our team and we’ll help you determine your eligibility for SGIP rebates and additional incentives.