San Diego Community Power's Solar Battery Savings enrollment can involve more than your solar-plus-battery PPA signature. Depending on the battery manufacturer, you may also need to accept product terms in addition to SDCP's program agreement. Ask your contractor to identify each applicable document before treating the paperwork as complete.
For eligible homeowners, a qualifying no-upfront PPA can help make solar and storage accessible. A clear document checklist helps connect that financing arrangement with the equipment and incentive program you actually intend to use.
Which agreement covers which part?
Section 4.2.4 of the SDCP program manual says participants must accept the battery manufacturer's terms when applicable. Those terms address product functionality and requirements and are additional to the program terms incorporated into the Participant Enrollment Form. The manual explicitly notes that not every manufacturer has separate terms beyond the program terms.
Section 4.2.3 separately requires the customer installation contract to be uploaded to the contractor portal. For third-party-owned battery systems, Appendix D must accompany that contract. Ask your PPA provider and contractor how they will document the ownership arrangement and required authorization.
Use the current Solar Battery Savings page to locate approved contractors and equipment. The contractor applies on your behalf. Confirm account eligibility, funding and the applicable enrollment process directly; a signed commercial proposal does not by itself establish program approval.
Make a document checklist before signing
Our suggested checklist is practical recordkeeping, not an additional SDCP form:
- Identify the installation and PPA documents, including the battery model and equipment owner.
- Ask where the SDCP Participant Enrollment Form will arrive and how you receive a completed copy.
- Ask whether your selected manufacturer requires separate acceptance for this program. If so, request the exact terms and instructions.
- Identify who answers product-operation questions, program questions and PPA payment questions.
- Save dated copies and completion confirmations together with the proposal.
For example, suppose a hypothetical homeowner signs a PPA and later receives a manufacturer agreement. Instead of assuming the first signature covered everything, the homeowner asks the contractor to explain what the second agreement covers and whether another action remains. Conversely, another manufacturer's process may not require a separate agreement. Neither example establishes approval or a rebate amount.
If a document discusses connectivity or performance reporting, our SDCP battery data-sharing guide explains that separate operational topic.
Keep the utility account and costs in view
SDCP supplies generation service, while SDG&E delivers electricity, sends the bill and handles grid outage response. Check the generation provider on your electric bill; living in San Diego County alone does not establish SDCP participation.
The CPUC solar guide emphasizes reviewing the contract and financial paperwork and explains that PPA customers continue receiving provider bills alongside remaining utility charges. Confirm qualification, ownership, ongoing electricity rate, any escalator, term, battery charges, maintenance and transfer provisions. No upfront payment does not mean free electricity or guaranteed savings.
Program paperwork also does not establish whole-home backup. General battery guidance explains that supported circuits, stored energy and demand affect outage duration. Ordinary grid-tied solar alone generally cannot provide outage power; compatible backup equipment and suitable sunlight are needed for outage solar operation.
Sources checked October 31, 2026, including SDCP's currently linked Fall 2025 manual. Pilot participants should confirm their applicable terms. Bring your proposal and document checklist to a West Coast Alternatives consultation. WCA is independent of SDCP and does not provide program approval.