Solar and Battery Rebate Pilot Program Launched by City

Pasadena Water and Power has launched a pilot program offering rebates for residential and commercial customers who install rooftop solar systems or battery storage, the utility announced this week.

The new incentives, announced by David M. Reyes, General Manager of Water & Power, are designed to make clean energy adoption more affordable for PWP customers while advancing the City of Pasadena’s goal of achieving 100% carbon-free electricity by the end of 2030. The program covers four separate rebate tracks — residential solar, commercial solar, residential battery storage, and commercial battery storage — and is being promoted throughout April in connection with the city’s Earth Month activities.

Residential PWP electric customers are eligible for a rebate of $0.60 per watt for the purchase and installation of a new, permanent rooftop solar photovoltaic system. Customers enrolled in one of PWP’s income-qualified bill assistance programs — EUAP, Cares, or Cares Plus — qualify for an enhanced rebate of $1.00 per watt. Commercial customers may receive $0.40 per watt, up to a maximum of $80,000 per meter.

Battery storage rebates are also available. Residential customers can receive **$350 per kWh** for a qualifying behind-the-meter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Customers enrolled in PWP’s income-qualified or Medical Assistance programs are eligible for an additional $200 per kWh equity bonus. Commercial customers receive a tiered rebate of $225 per kWh for the first 200 kWh of capacity, then $100 per kWh for any additional capacity, capped at $80,000 per meter.

To further encourage the adoption of these technologies, PWP will not charge plan review and inspection fees for solar and battery systems during the pilot program. This applies only to PWP-related solar and battery project costs. Structural, Building & Safety, meter, and other non-energy-related fees may still apply.

All systems must be installed on or after January 1, 2026, to qualify. Systems must be customer-owned — leased systems and those purchased through a Solar Power Purchase Agreement are not eligible. Residential solar systems must receive final PWP Net Energy Metering approval before a rebate application is submitted. Rebate checks are issued within six to eight weeks of approval.