San Diegans looking to embrace solar energy have a bright opportunity ahead, thanks to a newly announced initiative by San Diego Community Power (SDCP). As reported by Times of San Diego, the not-for-profit public agency, which serves nearly a million customers in San Diego County, is launching its Solar Battery Savings program. With an investment of $55 million over the next five years, the program aims to make solar power more affordable while contributing to a stronger, more resilient power grid.
The funds will provide upfront rebates on solar panels and additional incentives for those installing new solar-plus-storage systems or adding batteries to existing setups. Notably, a portion of this funding will specifically assist historically underserved communities. According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, chair of the Community Power board of directors, emphasized these efforts "to build out our rooftop solar network," which she believes will result in "lower bills for families, cleaner air for our kids and good-paying jobs for local workers."
The initiative adds an element of education to the mix, with SDCP's Colin Santulli stressing the importance of workshops designed to help families understand the program's benefits. These customer education workshops are part of the strategy to deepen community engagement, as the program builds upon a successful 2024 pilot program, which saw over 2,200 batteries installed across the region, according to Times of San Diego.
For local businesses, the Solar Battery Savings program represents both customer benefits and a boost for the local solar industry. Jake Marshall from Greentech Renewables San Diego expressed to The San Diego Union-Tribune how recent years have been challenging due to policy shifts and market conditions, but this program stands as "a bright spot last year for our industry and our communities."
Beyond the immediate savings, there's also an incentive for users to discharge 50% of their stored electricity during peak hours, which The San Diego Union-Tribune reports will net a payback of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour. As the federal tax credit for residential solar winds down this year, SDCP's efforts could help residents counterbalance installation costs of around $30,000. Despite the absence of the federal tax credit, many believe the long-term savings will make the investment worthwhile.
