SAN FRANCISCO · CALIFORNIA

SF RENTERS: CALIFORNIA SIGNED ITS BALCONY SOLAR LAW.

SIGNED — SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

$0.314Approx. CA average rate - verify your PG&E or CleanPowerSF bill1,200WMaximum covered systemJan 1, 2027Effective date

YOUR LOCAL UTILITY

PG&E + CLEANPOWERSF.

San Francisco is served by PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric) for most residential customers, plus CleanPowerSF as a community choice aggregation option for the electricity generation portion of your bill. PG&E still handles transmission, distribution, and billing.

Important limitationsSB 868 is signed and takes effect January 1, 2027, but it does not override landlords or HOAs. They may still prohibit installations. The law also provides no export credit unless you already have rooftop solar with a bidirectional meter.

UNDER SB 868

SOL COUNTRY'S SF KIT RECOMMENDATION.

San Francisco's housing stock includes many older buildings with limited or no balcony access. Community solar and CleanPowerSF may remain more realistic for many SF renters. SB 868 does not override landlords or HOAs.

SOL COUNTRY RECOMMENDATION

A 395W kit is a realistic starting point for many SF balconies because fog, morning cloud, and neighboring-building shade reduce output. Confirm landlord or HOA permission before installing.

395W

~$54/yr · estimated

800W

~$110/yr · estimated

1,200W

~$165/yr · law's max · estimated

Savings are estimates using California's average residential rate; your utility, solar exposure, and self-consumption will change the result. SB 868 provides no export credit.

OTHER OPTIONS AVAILABLE NOW

MORE WAYS TO LOWER YOUR BILL.

CleanPowerSF already gives most SF residents a greener generation mix without any equipment. PG&E community solar programs are also available. Both work today, no legislation required.

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.

CARE & FERA bill discounts →

BATTERY (SGIP)

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

Explore →

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Remind me when California's law takes effect on January 1, 2027.