California Net Metering and Efficiency Rebates by Utility

Utilities in California reported 2,290,366 residential customers on net metering in 2025, with 20,041.1 megawatts of capacity, which averages 8.8 kilowatts per customer. That is 159.4 customers per 1,000 homes. Among the 51 places that reported, California ranks 2nd, and the national ranking is on the net metering by state page.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-861 (final 2025 data), net metering schedule, residential. The count covers net metering only. Solar homes on other export arrangements are tracked separately by EIA.

The value of a solar export depends on the credit your utility pays. As an illustration, take 7,000 kWh of solar power in a year, a made-up figure and not a forecast for any home. At the 2025 California average price of 31.35 cents per kWh, that power is worth $2,195 if the utility credits it at the full retail price. If the utility credits exports at half that rate, it is worth $1,097.

The gap shows why the export credit matters so much. Ask the utility which applies to you, and use the solar savings calculator to set the retail and export prices separately.

In 2025, 32 California utilities reported efficiency programs to EIA. Together they paid about $74,084,700 in incentives to residential customers, or $5.15 per home, which ranks 34th of 50. The programs reported 1,136,689 megawatt hours of first year residential savings, about 15.3 kWh for each dollar of incentive.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-861 (final 2025 data), energy efficiency schedule. Paid incentives show what a utility spent, not what you can get. See efficiency rebates by state for the national ranking.

The IRS says the residential clean energy credit, which covered solar panels, does not apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025, and the home improvement credit does not apply to property placed in service after that date. That is true in every state. What remains are state and utility offers, and the federal home energy rebates that states run. See solar incentives and home energy rebates.

Source: IRS FS-2025-05, read October 10, 2026. This is not tax advice.

1. Search the DSIRE database for California incentives and net metering rules.
2. Enter your ZIP code in the ENERGY STAR rebate finder.
3. Ask your electric company about its net metering, export credit and rebate programs. Find it in the California utility list.
4. Read the rules at the California Public Utilities Commission, which oversees investor-owned utilities.