Residential Battery Rebate Program
Power Up and Reduce Electricity Costs with a Home Battery
3CE’s Residential Battery Rebate Program helps solar and non-solar customers manage their energy consumption and save money by storing the power they generate during the day to cover electricity use after the sun goes down and the prices go up (“load shifting”). Adding battery backup can protect your home from outages and helps strengthen the electric grid. A battery will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Benefits of a Home Battery System
- Take control of your energy and use cleaner power
- Use less grid power when prices are higher
- Keep the lights on when the power is out
Additional Incentives
Your 3CE rebate can also be combined with other available rebates; see the Resources tab above for details.
Who is Eligible?
All residential 3CE customers are eligible for the program. Existing 3CE customers enrolled in a Net Energy Metering rate must switch to the Solar Billing Plan and will receive the higher rebate amount. Current Net Energy Metering customers are not eligible for a rebate if they remain on their Net Energy Metering contract. You must switch at least one billing cycle before grandfathering ends. Click here for details on the Solar Billing Plan. If you are unsure whether you are a Net Energy Metering customer, please call 3CE’s Energy Advisors at 1-877-455-2223.
Please note that if you elect to leave Net Energy Metering 1.0 or 2.0 before your grandfathering period ends, you will be permanently transitioned to the Solar Billing Plan for both energy generation and energy transmission and distribution services.
A “battery system” is defined as any number of battery modules connected to an individual residential meter.
The battery and/or applicant must meet the following requirements:
- The battery system must be installed on or after January 1, 2024.
- The battery system must be permanently installed at site address; portable batteries are not currently eligible.
- The battery system must have a capacity between 5 kWh to 26 kWh.
- Battery installations that exceed 26 kWh may participate but will not receive a rebate beyond the maximum.
- The battery type must be on the California Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)’s Verified Equipment List.
- The battery must be programed to discharge at least 50% of its capacity daily during peak hours (4pm to 9pm).
- Exceptions to discharge requirements will be reviewed based on individual customer needs.
- As part of the application process, the account holder must enroll in load-shift tracking with Texture and agree to allow 3CE to track battery load shifting.
- 3CE partners with Texture to seamlessly connect and track your battery system. Texture’s data and communications platform collects battery usage indicators allowing 3CE to evaluate program performance.
- Applicants must list all other rebates applied to their battery purchase and installation.
Multifamily housing:
- Multifamily units will be evaluated on a per-unit basis. Applicants must have an individual meter; master electric meters are not currently eligible for this battery program.
Rebates
Total rebate amount (including SGIP and 3CE incentives) will not exceed total purchase and installation cost. Rebates are limited to one per account for batteries sized up to 26 kWh. Battery installations that exceed 26 kWh may participate but will not receive a rebate beyond the maximum. Your 3CE rebate can also be combined with other available rebates; see the Resources tab above for details.
As an example, for a battery installation with 13 kWh capacity, a customer receiving the standard rebate of $300 per kWh would get a total rebate of $3,900, or about 20% of the battery and installation cost. Customers who qualify for the $500 rebate per kWh, also assuming a 13 kWh battery, would receive an average rebate of $6,500, which combined with other available rebates could cover the total cost of the battery and installation.
Qualifying expenses covered by the rebate:
• Purchase of a battery(s)
• Purchase of qualifying installation hardware
• Battery system Installation labor (costs must be directly related to the installation of the battery system)
AVAILABLE REBATES
| $300 per kWh |
| $500 per kWh |
| * 3CE customers who move from a legacy Net Energy Metering 1.0 or 2.0 tariff to the new Solar Billing Plan at least one full billing cycle prior to the expiration of their “grandfathering” period will receive the higher $500 per kWh rebate. | |
Steps
Review your most recent energy bill to confirm that “3CE Electric Generation Charges” are included in the statement – this verifies you are a 3CE customer
Purchase your eligible residential battery system and set up to discharge at least 50% daily between 4pm and 9pm
Gather relevant information and the following supporting documentation for your application:
- Battery make and model
- Battery capacity (kWh)
- Permission to Operate Letter or Email (this was sent to you from PG&E or SCE)
- Invoice from contactor with proof of payment
- Any additional rebates you are applying for (these may be included in the invoice from your contractor)
- If applicable, a copy of your 1040 tax form to prove income qualification (this may be required if you are applying for the income-qualified adder)
Submit online application
Enroll in load-shift tracking software with 3CE partner Texture
- After application is submitted, 3CE will email customer with link to complete battery registration with Texture
3CE processes your application and will notify you of your application status
Receive your rebate check in the mail!
Resources
Self-Generation Incentive Program
The California Public Utility Commission’s Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) provides financial incentives for the installation of new qualifying technologies that are installed to meet all or a portion of the electric energy needs of a facility. The purpose of the SGIP is to lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce stress on the electric grid and improve reliability of service.
Federal Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit
The Residential Clean Energy Credit equals 30% of the costs of new, qualified clean energy property for your home installed anytime from 2022 through 2032. The credit is nonrefundable, so the credit amount receive can’t exceed the amount owed in tax, but any unused credit can be carried forward and applied in future years. Battery storage technology must have a capacity of at least 3 kWh.
PG&E Generator and Battery Rebate Program
To help customers prepare for outages, PG&E offers generator and battery rebates. This support is available for customers who are (1) located in Tier 2 or 3 High Fire-Threat Districts; and (2) serviced by an Enhanced Power Safety Settings (EPSS) circuit. The rebate is $300 per qualified customer. If you participate in PG&E’s CARE or FERA programs, you may receive an additional $200.
Emergency Load Reduction Program
The Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP) pays customers for voluntarily reducing energy use during electrical grid emergencies. Within 3CE’s service area, the ELRP is managed by PG&E and SCE, which handle enrollment, event communication, and compensation. The program is called upon only as a last resort. The residential component of the ELRP is called Power Saver Rewards.
For additional support, please contact 3CE Energy Advisors at 1-877-455-2223
For Contractors:
- Contractors must first enroll in the TECH Clean California program before applying for incentives. Find a licensed contractor or ask your local contractor to sign up for TECH Clean California’s program to access these cash incentives.
For Contractors:
For Residents:
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible for this program?
3CE residential customers on our Solar Billing Plan are eligible.
If a customer on our Net Energy Metering 1.0 or 2.0 tariff decides to move to the Solar Billing Plan early, they are eligible for an additional $200 per kWh of battery capacity.
3CE customers who do not have their own energy generation system are eligible for the base incentive.
3CE customers on CARE/FERA/Medical Baseline are eligible for an additional $200 per kWh of battery capacity.
How can I tell if I am on Net Energy Metering 1.0, Net Energy Metering 2.0, or the Solar Billing Plan?
Customers whose interconnection agreement was approved by PG&E or SCE after April 14, 2023, are on 3CE’s Solar Billing Plan.
Customers will move to the Solar Billing Plan once their 20-year period on Net Energy Metering 1.0 or 2.0 concludes.
Customers will move to the Solar Billing Plan if their 20-year period ends early (system oversizing, choice to move to the Solar Billing Plan, etc.).
How do I switch from Net Energy Metering 1.0 or 2.0 to the Solar Billing Plan?
You can change your tariff by contacting your account representative at PG&E or SCE.
Customers who choose to leave NEM 1.0/2.0 will be permanently transitioned to the Solar Billing Plan for both energy generation and energy transmission and distribution services.
Can I switch back to Net Energy Metering 1.0 or 2.0 after switching to the Solar Billing Plan after I receive this rebate?
Once an account has been switched to the Solar Billing Plan, it cannot be switched back.
Should I leave NEM 1.0 or NEM 2.0 early to receive a higher incentive through the Residential Battery Rebate Program?
Due to each customer’s unique and varied generation needs, 3CE cannot provide specific advice on this topic.
We recommend that you compare the tariffs and confer with your solar installer.
How much funding will 3CE provide for my residential battery?
Customers who do not have an on-site energy generation system can receive $300 per kWh of their battery’s capacity, up to $7,800.
Customers on the Solar Billing Plan can receive $300 per kWh of their battery’s capacity, up to $7,800.
Customers on Net Energy Metering 1.0 or 2.0 are not eligible for the Residential Battery Storage Program. If these customers choose to move their on-site energy generation system to the Solar Billing Plan, they can receive $500 per kWh of their battery’s capacity, up to $13,000.
Customers who participate in CARE, FERA, or Medical Baseline can receive $500 per kWh of their battery’s capacity, up to $13,000.
Can I stack this rebate with others?
Yes! 3CE customers are encouraged to apply for additional rebates include those with PG&E, the Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). See the Resources tab above for details.
How long will it take to receive my check in the mail?
What is the minimum and maximum battery capacity for this program?
5 kWh to 26 kWh. Battery installations over 26 kWh will receive the maximum rebate amount (3CE will incentivize up to 26 kWh, even if the actual battery is larger).
Can I purchase multiple batteries and receive a rebate?
The rebate is limited to 26 kWh per account. An applicant may apply for multiple rebates under the same account, up to the 26 kWh account limit.
Does my battery have to be a certain brand?
The rebate is offered for all batteries on the SGIP’s Verified Equipment list.
Does my battery have to be installed by a certain contractor?
The battery must be installed by a contractor licensed in California. 3CE recommends searching for solar installers in your area.
Does 3CE provide rebates for solar installation?
3CE does not provide a rebate for solar installations.
Can I receive a rebate if I purchased by battery before January 2024?
No, rebates are available only for systems purchased after January 2024.
How will the information collected by the monitoring system be used?
Data will be used to evaluate effectiveness of program and guide further program development in accordance with 3CE’s Privacy Policy.
Applicants will need to enroll in the load-shift tracking program with 3CE’s partner, Texture. Enrollment is quick and easy, simply log into your battery manufacturer account through Texture’s enrollment portal.
3CE will be able to see basic battery data such as charge and discharge rate, charge status, battery output, etc. The data will be used to ensure the battery is discharging daily per the program requirements and monitor program performance for evaluation purposes. 3CE cannot control your battery system.
What happens if I do not discharge half my battery capacity during peak hours?
It is unlikely that your power needs during peak hours will be less than half your battery capacity. Program participants who consistently fail to meet this requirement may be contacted by a 3CE representative to help ensure the battery is properly set according to the program.
All discharge requirements will be suspended in the event of a power outage to ensure the full capacity of the battery can be used for backup power.