San Diego Community Power's Solar Battery Savings manual describes a process for helping participants when a battery manufacturer leaves the program or cannot support required performance. Contact the program and your provider before assuming that incentives end automatically or that a replacement battery is guaranteed.
This is a preparedness explanation, not news that a particular manufacturer has withdrawn. Sources were checked October 25, 2026.
What happens to an affected project?
Section 2.4.2 of the SDCP program manual addresses voluntary manufacturer withdrawal, business closure and inability to support required battery performance. Community Power works with affected participants to assess operations and next steps. For manufacturer-initiated withdrawal, it notifies affected customers and contractors to determine whether batteries can continue meeting program requirements.
For a battery not yet installed, the contractor may substitute another qualified product. The approved incentive can stay the same or decrease for smaller capacity, provided eligibility requirements are met; a substitution cannot increase the reserved rebate. SDCP retains discretion to review the circumstances and update project or participation terms.
Those provisions do not establish a universal replacement promise. Obtain a project-specific response before revising a household budget or agreeing to equipment changes.
Keep three questions separate
A useful discussion with your contractor and PPA provider should distinguish:
- Program participation: What has SDCP confirmed about this project's eligibility and incentives?
- Equipment support: Who will handle service, software access and any proposed hardware change?
- Contract scope: Would the change affect payments, ownership, maintenance or the promised backup circuits?
For example, suppose an uninstalled project receives a proposal for a different battery after a manufacturer withdrawal. Ask for a written comparison of usable energy, power output, supported loads and installation requirements. A similar model description is not enough to evaluate household performance. Request an updated cost comparison and the program's confirmation before relying on the revised incentive figure.
Keep notices, the original proposal and written revisions together. Our exact-battery-model guide explains the initial approved-product check; this article addresses a later change in manufacturer participation.
Confirm the account and program first
The current Solar Battery Savings page requires an eligible SDCP residential account and a qualifying single-family installation at the service address. It also identifies solar-only charging and restrictions on overlapping programs. Confirm current funding, approval and applicable enrollment terms with the approved contractor; 2024 pilot rules can differ.
SDCP supplies generation, while SDG&E handles delivery, billing and grid responsibilities. A San Diego County address alone does not establish SDCP enrollment. Use the bill explanation to check the generation provider on your statement.
Make the PPA support plan clear
A qualifying no-upfront solar-plus-battery PPA can help a homeowner access equipment while preserving cash. The CPUC solar guide explains provider ownership and ongoing electricity payments. Review the rate, escalator, term, battery fees, service coverage and transfer provisions, plus remaining utility costs. Confirm who handles program coordination and how any changed incentive affects your actual offer. No upfront purchase does not mean free electricity or guaranteed savings.
Backup still depends on the installed system. General battery guidance explains that available energy, supported circuits and demand limit duration. Ordinary grid-tied solar alone generally does not provide outage power; recharging requires compatible backup equipment and sufficient sunlight.
Bring your proposal and support questions to a West Coast Alternatives consultation. WCA is independent of SDCP and does not determine program approval or manufacturer participation.