The short answer
- DAC-SASH pays $3 per watt toward rooftop solar for income-qualified homeowners in disadvantaged communities; GRID Alternatives runs it (CPUC).
- SGIP's equity budget pays $1.10 per Wh for batteries and $3.10 per watt for solar for homes at or below 80% of area median income, but it's mostly waitlisted (SGIP).
- Green tariffs give a 20% bill discount without putting anything on your roof.
- CARE and FERA customers on net billing get a bigger early-adopter export bonus at SCE ($0.093 per kWh in year one).
Programs
| Program | What it does | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| DAC-SASH | $3/W toward rooftop solar; $10M a year through 2030 | Homeowners in disadvantaged communities eligible for CARE or FERA |
| SGIP Residential Solar & Storage Equity | $1.10/Wh storage + $3.10/W solar | Household income at or below 80% of area median, or prior CARE/FERA/ESA/SASH verification |
| DAC-Green Tariff | 20% bill discount from utility-scale clean energy | Income-qualified customers in disadvantaged communities |
| Community Solar Green Tariff | 20% bill discount tied to local solar projects | Income-qualified customers in disadvantaged communities |
| SOMAH | Solar on deed-restricted affordable apartment buildings | Building owners; tenants share the credits |
Sources: CPUC solar in disadvantaged communities, SOMAH, SGIP Handbook. Checked Oct 1, 2026.
Bill help that solar doesn't change
CARE and FERA discounts apply to what you buy from the grid, not to export credits. The Base Services Charge is $6 a month for CARE and about $12 for FERA, instead of about $24.
Watch out for
- Door-to-door offers of "free solar": usually a lease or PPA. Read your rights first.
- Anyone asking for an upfront fee to "reserve" a state rebate.
Checked against official sources on Oct 1, 2026. Sources are linked in the text. Not legal, tax or financial advice.