California's New Solar Laws Are Opening More Ways to Cut Your Bill Is Your Home Missing Out?

California's New Solar Laws Are Opening More Ways to Cut Your Bill
Is Your Home Missing Out?
California lawmakers spent much of 2026 debating a slate of clean energy bills aimed at giving residents more ways to lower their electricity costs. Several of those bills have now become law, and together they show how quickly the state is expanding access to solar and storage.

What made it through
Plug-in solar, SB 868: This law allows residents to install small plug-in solar systems up to 1,200 watts without a traditional utility interconnection application. It is aimed largely at renters and apartment residents. Analysis cited during the debate found a single 400-watt system could cover about 14 percent of an average apartment's electricity use and save around $250 per year. Virtual power plants, SB 913 and SB 905: SB 913 requires the state to establish a way to value customer-owned batteries that export power to the grid during peak demand. SB 905 creates a grid utilization metric and pushes utilities toward programs that reward customers for shifting energy use away from peak hours. Both were signed into law on September 30, 2026. Community solar, AB 1813: This bill would have reformed California's community solar program. It advanced through the Legislature but was vetoed by Governor Newsom, who cited concerns about costs to ratepayers.

The common thread
Taken together, these laws point in one direction. California wants more of its electricity produced and stored close to where it is used, and it is building rules that recognize the value of that energy, especially during expensive evening peak hours. For renters, the plug-in law opens a small door. For homeowners, the door is already wide open. A homeowner with a roof can install a full solar system, add battery storage, and benefit from the same policy direction these laws are built around.

Why your own roof is still the biggest opportunity
A small plug-in panel can trim a little from an apartment bill. A rooftop solar and battery system can cover a much larger share of a home's usage, store energy for the hours when SCE, SDG&E, and PG&E charge the most, and keep essential loads running during outages. As SB 913 and SB 905 are implemented, homes with batteries may also gain new opportunities to be compensated for supporting the grid, subject to program rules and eligibility.

Check what you qualify for now
Many homeowners assume they cannot afford solar and storage, especially after the federal tax credit ended. Through third-party ownership programs, qualifying homeowners can get solar and battery storage installed without buying or financing equipment, while enjoying lower energy costs and backup power. California is opening more paths to clean, affordable energy every year. The question for homeowners is whether they are taking advantage of the biggest one. A quick look at your electric bill can tell you whether your home is a good fit.
To find out if your home qualifies for a TPO solar and battery program, visit myhomesolution.org/california_public_utility_commissions