In short
- New solar goes on the Solar Billing Plan (the CPUC's Net Billing Tariff): hourly generation and delivery export credits that vary by hour and season, locked for 9 years. Credits roll over month to month but can't pay non-bypassable charges.
- Solar Billing Plan customers are on the EV-TOU-5 rate. Peak is 4–9 p.m. on SDG&E's time-of-use plans. The EV-TOU-5 peak price is 80.2¢ per kWh (effective Aug 1, 2026), so a battery that covers your evening use saves a lot here.
- Every SDG&E plan has a Base Services Charge of about $24 a month since Oct 2025 ($6 for CARE, $12 for FERA).
- NEM 1.0 and 2.0 customers move to the Solar Billing Plan at the end of their 20-year legacy period.
Rebates and incentives
SGIP battery incentives (administered here by the Center for Sustainable Energy): all residential budgets show "Closed" (Oct 1, 2026).
Getting connected
Apply through SDG&E's online solar application portal. SDG&E says permission to operate "usually takes up to five business days" after a complete submission.
Cities served
Also: Aliso Viejo (part), Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Dana Point, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Laguna Hills (part), Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest (part), Lemon Grove, Mission Viejo (part), National City, Oceanside, Poway, Rancho Santa Margarita (part), San Clemente, San Diego, San Juan Capistrano, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, Vista.
Sources
Checked at each utility's own pages on Oct 1, 2026. Rules and rebates change: confirm with the utility before you sign a contract.