The Pasadena solar rebate is a Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) incentive that pays residential electric customers $0.60 per watt for a new rooftop solar system and $350 per kilowatt-hour for a home battery. Income-qualified households receive more: $1.00 per watt for solar and up to $550 per kilowatt-hour for batteries. PWP launched the pilot in April 2026, and it covers systems installed on or after January 1, 2026. If your estimate is older or does not itemize this rebate, the net cost it shows may be too high.
Quick answer
- Solar: $0.60 per watt (CEC-AC output), or $1.00 per watt if income-qualified.
- Battery: $350 per kWh, plus $200 per kWh for income-qualified or Medical Assistance Program customers.
- Ownership: The system must be customer-owned. Leases and power purchase agreements do not qualify.
- Limits: One rebate per service address for life, and funds are limited.
PWP Solar and Battery Rebate Rates for 2026
PWP runs two separate residential programs, one for solar and one for batteries. You can apply for either or both. The official terms are on PWP’s own pages for the residential solar rebate and the residential battery storage rebate.
| Program | Standard rate | Income-qualified or Medical Assistance rate | Rate is based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rooftop solar | $0.60 per watt | $1.00 per watt (income-qualified programs) | CEC-AC system output |
| Home battery | $350 per kWh | $550 per kWh ($350 plus $200 bonus) | Battery capacity in kWh |
| PWP plan review and inspection fees | Waived for a limited time during the pilot | PWP-related solar and battery costs only | |
The solar rebate
PWP residential electric customers receive $0.60 per watt for a new, permanent rooftop solar system. The $1.00 per watt rate applies to customers enrolled in one of PWP’s income-qualified bill assistance programs (EUAP, Cares, and Cares Plus). PWP’s launch announcement also lists expansions of an existing system as eligible.
The battery rebate
The standard battery rebate is $350 per kWh. Customers in the income-qualified programs or PWP’s Medical Assistance Program get an extra $200 per kWh. The $550 per kWh figure you may see quoted is the top rate for those households, not the rate for everyone.
Why CEC-AC matters
The solar rebate is calculated on your system’s CEC-AC output, not the DC size of the panels. CEC-AC is typically lower than the panel nameplate, so a quote that multiplies the full panel size by $0.60 can overstate your rebate. Ask your installer for the CEC-AC figure.
A Pasadena Solar Rebate Example: Before and After
The tables below use illustrative installed prices for a Pasadena home. They are not a quote. Your actual cost depends on your roof, usage, and equipment. To keep the math honest, the solar example uses a system with 6 kW of CEC-AC output.
Solar only
| Line item | Before rebate | After standard rebate | After income-qualified rebate |
|---|---|---|---|
| System output (CEC-AC) | 6 kW | 6 kW | 6 kW |
| Illustrative installed cost | $22,400 | $22,400 | $22,400 |
| PWP solar rebate | $0 | $3,600 ($0.60 per watt) | $6,000 ($1.00 per watt) |
| Net solar cost | $22,400 | $18,800 | $16,400 |
Solar plus a 10 kWh battery
Adding a battery stacks a second rebate on top of the solar rebate.
| Line item | Before rebate | After standard rebates | After income-qualified rebates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar system (illustrative) | $22,400 | $22,400 | $22,400 |
| Battery, 10 kWh (illustrative) | $13,000 | $13,000 | $13,000 |
| PWP solar rebate | $0 | $3,600 | $6,000 |
| PWP battery rebate | $0 | $3,500 ($350 per kWh) | $5,500 ($550 per kWh) |
| Combined net cost | $35,400 | $28,300 (about 20% lower) | $23,900 (about 32% lower) |
These totals do not include what the system saves on your monthly bill afterward. To see where your own home lands, run your numbers through the solar cost calculator, and compare your starting price with the average solar panel cost in California.
Who Qualifies for the PWP Rebates
You must be a PWP residential electric customer. Beyond that, the solar and battery programs have different equipment rules.
| Requirement | Solar rebate | Battery rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Install date | On or after January 1, 2026 | On or after January 1, 2026 |
| Ownership | Customer-owned only | Customer-owned only |
| Installer | Licensed contractor | Licensed C-10 electrical contractor |
| Equipment | New, permanent rooftop system meeting PWP interconnection rules and CEC-AC capacity limits | UL 9540 system with UL 9540A tested components, at least 85% round-trip efficiency, at least two hours of duration, and remote telemetry |
| Warranty | Not specified on PWP’s rebate page | At least 10 years, with 70% capacity retained at end of term |
| Program enrollment | Final PWP Net Energy Metering approval | 36 months in PWP’s first applicable demand response or virtual power plant program |
| Limit | One rebate per service address, lifetime | One rebate per service address, lifetime |
What the battery enrollment means
- You agree to join PWP’s first applicable demand response or virtual power plant program for at least 36 months after it launches.
- Enrollment must happen within 90 days of the program launch if your site is technically eligible.
- If you decline without an approved exemption, or leave within 12 months of launch, PWP may claw back 20% of the original incentive on a pro rata basis.
How to Apply for the PWP Solar Rebate and Battery Rebate
Both programs pay after the project is finished. You apply once the system is installed and approved, not before.
Solar rebate steps
- Complete permitting, installation, and interconnection with a licensed contractor.
- Receive final PWP Net Energy Metering (NEM) approval.
- Submit the application through PWP’s online portal within 180 days of interconnection.
- Upload a paid invoice, your NEM agreement form, and confirmation of final CEC-AC capacity.
- Receive your rebate check, which PWP says arrives 6 to 8 weeks after approval.
Battery rebate steps
- Hire a licensed C-10 electrical contractor and complete the installation with all required city permits.
- Submit the application through PWP’s battery portal within 180 days of final permit approval.
- Upload the final signed electrical permit, the itemized paid invoice, and the signed demand response or virtual power plant agreement form.
- Receive your rebate check, which PWP says arrives 6 to 8 weeks after approval.
| Document | Solar | Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Paid invoice with project cost, completion date, and address | Yes | Yes, itemized, with battery capacity and brand and model |
| Net Energy Metering agreement form | Yes | No |
| Final CEC-AC capacity confirmation | Yes | No |
| Final signed electrical permit | No | Yes |
| Demand response or VPP agreement | No | Yes |
Fine Print That Changes Your Number
- The pilot has limited funds. PWP can change program terms at any time, and rebates are calculated using the amounts posted on the date you purchase.
- The income-qualified bonus needs active enrollment. You must be enrolled in a qualifying assistance program when you submit the application.
- Only PWP-related fees are waived. Structural, Building and Safety, meter, and other non-energy fees can still apply.
- The rebate does not appear on generic quotes. Some estimates are built on statewide pricing and skip local incentives, so confirm yours is itemized.
Confirm before you sign. Program amounts and rules can change. Check the current terms on PWP’s pages and with PWP customer service at (626) 744-4005.
Ownership matters more than the install
The rebate only applies when you own the system. A lease or a power purchase agreement disqualifies it, no matter how the installation looks. If you are comparing payment options, read our guide to buying vs leasing vs financing solar before you choose.
What about business customers?
PWP’s launch announcement says qualifying commercial customers can receive up to $80,000 per meter for new or expanded rooftop solar, with tiered battery rebates also available up to $80,000 per meter. Details are in PWP’s pilot program announcement.
How Axia Solar Estimate Builds the Rebate Into Your Number
Axia Solar Estimate is powered by US Power, a factory-direct Qcells representative. Panels are sourced directly from the manufacturer instead of through a distributor, which lowers the starting price before any rebate is applied. The PWP rebate then comes off that baseline.
What US Power handles for you
- Submitting your Net Energy Metering approval, which must clear before a solar rebate application goes in.
- Filing the PWP rebate application once your system is approved.
- Reviewing the 36-month demand response or virtual power plant enrollment that the battery rebate requires.
- Confirming your financing structure keeps you eligible before you sign.
What to prepare before you request a number
Walk through our solar estimate checklist so you know what to have ready. For Pasadena costs, net surplus credits, and permitting, see our complete Pasadena solar estimate guide. If you are weighing a battery, start with solar battery storage 101.
Get an estimate that shows the PWP rebate as its own line item.
Get my free solar estimate or try the online solar estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Pasadena Solar Rebate
How much is the Pasadena solar rebate?
PWP pays $0.60 per watt of CEC-AC output for a new rooftop solar system. Customers enrolled in an income-qualified bill assistance program receive $1.00 per watt. On a system with 6 kW of CEC-AC output, that is $3,600 at the standard rate or $6,000 at the income-qualified rate.
How much is the PWP battery rebate?
The standard rebate is $350 per kWh. Income-qualified and Medical Assistance Program customers get an additional $200 per kWh, for up to $550 per kWh. A 10 kWh battery earns $3,500 at the standard rate or $5,500 at the top rate.
Can I get both the solar and battery rebates?
Yes. They are separate programs with separate applications. If your solar system and your battery each meet their requirements, you can claim both, which is how the combined savings in the example above add up.
Does a leased solar system qualify for the PWP rebate?
No. Both rebates require a customer-owned system. Leased systems and systems financed through a power purchase agreement are not eligible.
How long does it take to receive the rebate check?
PWP states that once your application is approved, the check arrives in 6 to 8 weeks. The rebate is paid after installation, so plan your cash flow around the upfront cost.
Is there a deadline to apply?
Solar applications must be received within 180 days of interconnection, and battery applications within 180 days of final permit approval. The program is also a pilot with limited funds, so apply as soon as your project is approved.
Will every solar company include the PWP rebate in my estimate?
Not necessarily. Some estimates use generic Southern California pricing and leave out PWP incentives. Ask whether the rebate is itemized separately for both solar and battery, or request an estimate built specifically for PWP.
Do I have to be a PWP customer to qualify?
Yes. The residential rebates are only available to PWP residential electric customers. Check your electric bill to confirm your utility before you plan around the rebate.