SAN DIEGO · CALIFORNIA

SAN DIEGO RENTERS: THE STATE BILL THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR BALCONY.

ADVANCING - APPROPRIATIONS

$0.314Approx. CA average rate - SDG&E often runs higher, check your bill1,200WProposed max if passedAugust 2026Next hearing

YOUR LOCAL UTILITY

SDG&E - OFTEN HIGHER THAN AVERAGE.

San Diego is served by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), which has historically had some of the highest rates in California - worth checking your specific rate, since SDG&E often runs above the state average. The savings math below uses California's $0.314/kWh average, so your actual savings could be higher.

Confirm before you commitBalcony solar is not legal in California today. SB 868 is still in Assembly Appropriations, with a hearing expected in August 2026. Treat the kit recommendation below as planning information, not a current option.

IF SB 868 PASSES

SOL COUNTRY'S SAN DIEGO KIT RECOMMENDATION.

San Diego has genuinely one of the best solar resource regions in the state - excellent year-round sun exposure, low cloud cover, mild temperatures that help panel efficiency. Pair that with SDG&E's high rates and the math is unusually favorable. But: balcony solar isn't legal here yet. Don't buy a kit on the basis of this page.

IF SB 868 PASSES, WE'D RECOMMEND

An 800-1,200W kit if SB 868 passes - San Diego's excellent solar resource and SDG&E's high rates would justify the higher end of the bill's allowed range for most balconies. Confirm this isn't legal yet - this is planning information, not a current option.

395W

~$54/yr · IF passed

800W

~$110/yr · IF passed

1,200W

~$165/yr · bill's max · IF passed

Savings are projected, not current. They assume SB 868 passes as currently written and apply California's average residential rate; your specific utility may run higher or lower.

AVAILABLE NOW, REGARDLESS

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

SDG&E has community solar and Community Solar Green Tariff options available today. Worth a look while SB 868 plays out.

COMMUNITY SOLAR

California has multiple established community solar and Community Solar Green Tariff programs. At $0.314/kWh average, even a modest discount is real money.

Explore →

CARE / FERA

California's CARE and FERA programs provide automatic bill discounts for qualifying households - independent of SB 868.

Learn more →

BATTERY (SGIP)

California's Self-Generation Incentive Program pays $200+/kWh for qualifying battery installations.

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