If you previously opted out of San Diego Community Power and now want to apply for Solar Battery Savings, confirm that your SDCP service is active before your contractor submits the program application. A request to return and an active account are different milestones.
That timing matters when coordinating a solar-plus-battery proposal, especially one that includes an expected rebate. Official guidance was checked November 12, 2026.
Confirm active service before the application
Section 2.1 of SDCP’s Solar Battery Savings program manual requires active residential Community Power service when the application is submitted. It specifically says customers who opted out must return and become active customers first. The installation must be at the physical service-account address.
Ask SDCP to confirm your eligibility to return and the effective date for your account. The manual notes that customers who opt out may be unable to opt back in for one year; do not build a project schedule around an assumed immediate return.
SDCP’s program page says the approved contractor applies before installation and reserves the rebate. Active generation service alone does not approve the project, reserve funding or establish eligibility for the offered equipment. Our rebate timing guide covers the later approval and payment steps.
Refresh the cost comparison when returning
SDCP’s re-enrollment page says SDG&E applies the most recent Power Charge Indifference Adjustment, or PCIA, vintage applicable when a customer returns. SDCP cautions that this may change the resulting savings and directs account-specific questions to its customer-service team at 888-382-0169.
Ask the proposal writer to use your expected post-return service arrangement rather than simply reuse an older bill comparison. This article does not predict whether your PCIA charge or total bill will rise or fall.
Our suggested coordination checklist is:
- Confirm the service address and current generation provider.
- Obtain SDCP’s account-specific return date and service-plan confirmation.
- Give the contractor that confirmation before program submission.
- Ask for an updated cost comparison and a separate written rebate status.
For example, suppose a hypothetical homeowner submits a return request while the contractor is preparing a battery application. The useful next step is to confirm when service becomes active, then coordinate the application. Treating the request confirmation as rebate approval would skip two separate checks.
Keep SDCP and SDG&E responsibilities clear
SDCP’s service overview identifies its territory as San Diego, Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, National City and unincorporated San Diego County. That does not mean every county address or account uses SDCP.
Its bill explanation separates Community Power generation from SDG&E delivery and billing. SDG&E continues maintaining the wires and handling utility outages. Returning to SDCP does not commission a battery or establish its outage capability.
Connect the program timeline to your PPA
A qualifying no-upfront solar-plus-battery PPA can help eligible homeowners obtain professionally installed equipment without an upfront purchase. Ask the provider to document program compatibility, who receives any approved incentive, and how the offer changes if approval is delayed or unavailable. WCA is not claiming SDCP affiliation or endorsement.
The CPUC solar guide explains provider ownership and ongoing electricity payments. Review the rate, escalator, term, battery fees, maintenance, replacement and transfer terms, plus remaining utility charges. No upfront purchase does not mean free electricity or guaranteed savings.
General battery guidance explains that supported circuits, available charge and demand constrain runtime. Ordinary grid-tied solar alone generally does not supply outage power; backup needs compatible equipment, with suitable sunlight for solar recharge.
Bring your confirmed service timeline and proposal to the West Coast Alternatives homeowner journey to organize the next steps.