About Solar Plus Connect

Income-qualified households at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), including but not limited to CARE and FERA customers, may be eligible to have solar with battery storage installed at discounted rates and reduce their electricity bills by an estimated 55–65%. This program is administered by CEA.

  • No upfront cost
  • No credit check
  • Subsidized by state funding

The program is first-come, first-served. Only approximately 6,000 qualified customers in the state will receive this opportunity. Apply today!

Estimated Bill Savings Example

Infographic showing cost savings with solar and battery. On the left, an orange box displays '$150' labeled 'Current CARE/FERA Monthly Bill.' In the center, an arrow points to images of a solar panel and battery with the text 'Add Solar + Battery.' On the right, a blue box displays '$58' labeled 'New CARE/FERA Monthly Bill,' indicating a reduced bill after adding solar and battery storage.

Bill reduction and savings estimates are based on customer averages in your service area. Actual savings could be higher or lower based on site-specific characteristics, electricity usage, and solar production. Solar Plus Connect customers pay a discounted blended rate of $.07/kWh for systems less than 10KW. For systems greater than 10KW, Solar Plus Connect customers pay $.096/kWh. 

Contact

To speak to an advisor, call 888-8-Happy-8 (888-842-7798) or email SolarPlus@Participate.Energy.

San Diego County Income Eligibility

(Effective: April 16, 2025)

Income Eligibility Limits by Household Size
Household Size
Number of Residents		 Annual
Income Limit
1 $92,700 (or less)
2 $105,950 (or less)
3 $119,200 (or less)
4 $132,400 (or less)
5 $143,000 (or less)
6 $153,600 (or less)
7 $164,200 (or less)
8 $174,800 (or less)
This table shows the annual income limits for eligibility based on household size in San Diego County, effective from June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025.

Benefits of Solar & Battery

Three icons representing benefits of solar energy. On the left, a gauge with a house and a dollar sign points toward green, labeled '25 Year Energy Savings.' In the center, a sun, lightbulb with a lightning bolt, and battery are connected by arrows, labeled 'Clean Renewable Energy.' On the right, a house with solar panels and a power icon is shown during a storm with rain, clouds, and lightning, labeled 'Emergency Power Backup.

More Information

Frequently Asked Questions

These funds are exclusively available to income-qualified Californians who can prove they make 80% of the area’s gross median income. There are approximately 3 million Californians who could qualify, but the fund will only cover around 6,000 solar and battery systems. It is essential to act quickly and decisively to ensure you are placed in the queue and can reserve your rebate as soon as possible.

If you are on a CARE/FERA discounted utility rate, you already receive a significant discount on your electricity rates. You may have explored solar options in the past and noticed that most solar industry programs offer limited savings for you. That’s why this program was specifically created for individuals in your situation, allowing you to experience immediate savings through a solar and battery program.

The typical electrical bill can be reduced by 55% to 65%*. Which includes the solar/battery payment and leftover charges for the utility.

*Bill reduction estimates and savings are based on customer averages in your service area and may vary based on-site specific characteristics, electricity usage, and solar production.

  • Own a home.
  • No minimum FICO score or debt-to-income ratio level required.
  • Good standing with your electrical utility provider.
  • Income qualified as a low-income resident of California.
  • Live in a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) territory served by your utility and be enrolled with the CCA. In this case, Clean Energy Alliance.

The RSSE SGIP rebate is allocated to Participate Energy, who then applies this rebate to the Power Purchase Agreement. This is why your monthly payment can be so low. If the rebate is not approved, the agreement will be canceled.

This program requires no out-of-pocket expense and does not require a credit check or down payment.

No, the system is owned by the fund established for the program. You can buy it out at fair market value at any time.

The solar system and home energy storage/battery system come with a full warranty for 25 years, which covers labor, shipping, and any necessary services. Typically, batteries last between 10 to 15 years, and when a battery reaches the end of its life, we will provide a replacement at no additional cost.

If your agreement requires you to pay for the solar and battery separately, the solar system and battery payment will appear on your electric bill, allowing you to pay for it just as you currently do with your utility, so you only have one bill to manage.

If you have a blended rate agreement, you simply pay the agreed upon rate for the electricity produced by the system.  Your payment will appear on your electric bill, allowing you to pay for it just as you currently do with your utility, so you only have one bill to manage.

Yes, but if you opt out of the program after the solar and battery has been installed you will need to buyout the system at a fair market value.

When you sell your house, the contract transfers to the new home buyer without any additional credit score (FICO) review or customer underwriting.

The overall timeline from signing the contract to the installation of the system typically takes about 4 to 6 months. This duration includes gathering all relevant customer information, SGIP rebate reservation, designing and permitting the system, submitting requests for interconnection with the utility, and preparing for construction. After installation, it can take an additional 2 to 6 weeks to receive permission to operate.

  • Step 1: Sign Initial Documents
  • Step 2: Apply for SGIP Rebate Funds
  • Step 3: After SGIP Rebate Approval, conduct the Home Site Survey
  • Step 4: Sign the final solar documents
  • Step 5: Submit Permit
  • Step 6: Permit Approval
  • Step 7: Scheduled Installation
  • Step 8: City Inspection
  • Step 9: Utility Approval – Permission to Operate (PTO)
  • Step 10: Solar Payment and Savings Begins

Yes! The solar system includes a Tesla Powerwall 3 storage system and a whole-home backup (utilizing the Tesla Backup Switch subject to compatibility with your utility and main electrical panel).

With our Renters Program, with landlord and tenant approval, the landlord will give permission to install and keep the system at the home and the tenant will sign up for electric service with SDG&E and select the Solar Plus tariff. If interested, please have your landlord email marco@participate.energy.