SMUD Customers May Have a Major Battery Opportunity
Eligible SMUD customers may qualify for battery incentives that can improve the cost of adding backup power and energy resilience.
Sacramento's battery incentive is one of the best in California.
If SMUD serves your home, you may qualify for a one-time battery incentive of up to $10,000 per household through SMUD's My Energy Optimizer Partner+ program (about $5,400 for a single Tesla Powerwall, with two Powerwalls reaching the household cap). SMUD pays this directly to you, the homeowner, after your battery is installed and you enroll within 90 days of receiving Permission to Operate — and it applies whether you add solar or go battery-only.
Tesla Powerwall owners also receive ongoing payments — about $440 per year per Powerwall, or roughly $880 a year for two — paid to you for as long as you stay enrolled in SMUD's virtual power plant. A battery also delivers everyday value: backup power during outages and the ability to skip the most expensive grid hours. And with $0-down options available, you can put a battery to work without a large upfront cost.
SMUD incentive amounts depend on your battery model and current program funding, are confirmed at proposal, and may change — verify current terms at smud.org.
SMUD bills may often be lower — but the battery opportunity may be bigger.
While SMUD bills are often lower than PG&E bills, that doesn't mean SMUD customers should ignore solar and batteries. The opportunity for SMUD customers may be different: battery incentives, backup power during outages, and long-term energy resilience.
For the right home, a battery — with or without solar — may be one of the more compelling energy decisions available in the SMUD service territory today.
Incentive opportunity
Eligible SMUD customers may qualify for battery storage incentives that can improve project economics.
Backup & resilience
Batteries can keep critical loads running during outages — especially valuable as grid disruptions become more common.
Long-term planning
Pair batteries with usage patterns and rate schedules to support long-term energy resilience.
Approved battery options — explained in plain English.
Depending on program rules, battery capacity, enrollment, and eligibility, SMUD customers may be able to explore Tesla Powerwall and other approved battery options. The right system depends on the home, usage, and what you want the battery to do.
What a battery may actually keep running.
Outages, grid reliability concerns, home offices, and medical needs are all reasons SMUD homeowners may consider battery storage. The right design depends on which loads matter most.
Two different conversations.
For some SMUD homes, solar + batteries may reduce usage and add backup power at the same time — especially for higher-usage households or homes with EVs and pools.
For homeowners focused mainly on backup power or battery incentive opportunities — and where solar may not fit the roof or budget — a battery-only system may make sense.
The right choice depends on the home, utility, usage, roof, and goals.
A simple 4-step process.
Share your address & utility
Send your property address and let me know your utility provider.
Marc reviews territory
I confirm whether the property is in SMUD, PG&E, Roseville Electric, or another utility area.
Identify the right fit
I help identify whether solar, batteries, or both may make sense for your home.
You get clear next steps
You receive a plain-English summary and decide whether a next step makes sense.
Important: Information is educational only and is not tax, legal, financial, utility-rate, or incentive advice. SMUD battery incentives, Tesla Powerwall rebates, VPP programs, enrollment requirements, and payout amounts are subject to eligibility, program rules, utility approval, availability, and final contract terms.
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Tell me about your home and goals. I'll help identify whether a battery — alone or with solar — may make sense for your SMUD property.
