San Diego Community Power (SDCP), the region’s not-for-profit public energy agency, has unveiled its groundbreaking Solar Battery Savings program, a bold initiative designed to reduce energy costs, strengthen the local grid, and expand clean energy access for communities across San Diego County. Backed by nearly $55 million in funding over the next five years, this program is set to redefine how residents interact with energy by making solar and storage systems more accessible, affordable, and impactful.
This initiative arrives at a pivotal moment. As California navigates both rising energy costs and the realities of climate-driven challenges, the need for resilient and sustainable power sources has never been greater. SDCP’s program directly addresses these challenges while placing residents, families, and local businesses at the center of the clean energy transition.
“By launching the Solar Battery Savings program, we are equipping San Diegans with real solutions to cut monthly bills, safeguard homes during power outages, and accelerate the development of a cleaner, more resilient grid,” said County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, who also serves as Chair of SDCP’s Board of Directors. “This program represents more than energy savings—it represents cleaner air for future generations, economic opportunities for our local workforce, and a roadmap to achieving our long-term sustainability goals.”
Lower Bills, Cleaner Air, Stronger Communities
The Solar Battery Savings program offers customers upfront rebates for solar panels along with meaningful financial incentives for those who install new solar-plus-storage systems or add batteries to existing solar arrays. By directly lowering the cost barrier for residents, the program ensures that more households can participate in the clean energy movement without being burdened by high upfront expenses.
A significant portion of funding is also being directed toward historically underserved neighborhoods, where households often experience the heaviest burden of energy costs. By targeting these communities, SDCP is not only expanding access to renewable energy but also delivering equitable opportunities for families who may have been excluded from the clean energy transition in the past.
“Customer education is a key pillar of this launch,” explained Colin Santulli, SDCP’s Director of Programs. “We want families to understand how solar-plus-storage works, how much they can save, and how battery technology adds resilience during outages. This program is about connecting with our communities and giving them confidence to take control of their energy future.”
To further this effort, SDCP will be hosting a series of customer education workshops throughout the county. These sessions will empower residents with practical knowledge, provide guidance on how to apply for rebates, and showcase the long-term value of investing in clean energy. Details will be made available at sdcommunitypower.org.
Building on Momentum: From Pilot to Full-Scale Launch
This announcement builds on the success of a 2024 pilot program, which saw more than 1,600 participants and the installation of over 2,200 batteries across the San Diego region. Encouraged by these results, SDCP has now set an ambitious long-term target: to deliver 90 megawatt-hours of local battery capacity in the coming years. This milestone will be part of the agency’s broader objective to deploy 150 megawatts of distributed energy resources by 2035—enough energy to power between 60,000 and 150,000 homes annually, depending on usage.
For local contractors, installers, and renewable energy providers, the program is also a vital economic engine. “The solar industry has weathered tough conditions recently, with policy changes and market shifts putting pressure on businesses,” said Jake Marshall, Operations Manager at Greentech Renewables San Diego. “Community Power’s Solar Battery Savings program was a bright spot for our industry last year. It created new opportunities for contractors, sustained good-paying local jobs, and helped customers unlock real value from solar energy. This is more than a customer savings program—it’s a lifeline for San Diego’s clean energy workforce.”
A Pathway to Regional Energy Independence
Beyond cost savings and economic growth, the Solar Battery Savings program aligns with SDCP’s larger mission: to make San Diego County a national leader in clean energy resilience. By reducing dependence on traditional utilities and expanding distributed energy resources, the region can build a grid that is smarter, more reliable, and better equipped to withstand the challenges of climate change.
At its core, the program represents a partnership between government, industry, and residents. It highlights the transformative potential of aligning public investment with community priorities, ensuring that every family—not just the privileged few—has access to clean, reliable, and affordable power.
For San Diego residents looking to save on monthly bills, contribute to environmental sustainability, and support local green jobs, the opportunity is here. The Solar Battery Savings program is not simply about adopting new technology—it is about reshaping the future of energy, one home at a time.