With average electric bills in Dublin hitting $258 and PG&E rates remaining high, many homeowners are looking for ways to lower their monthly costs. In 2026, going solar is less about exporting power for credits and more about generating and using your own electricity. Under California's current net billing rules, the energy you produce and use at home is far more valuable than the energy you send back to the grid. This shift makes pairing solar panels with a home battery a powerful strategy for maximizing savings and gaining energy independence.
From rates to ROI—continue in the savings calculator.
Open calculatorBenchmark Cost Analysis
2026 Solar & Battery Costs in Dublin
Without a default federal tax credit for systems installed in 2026, the upfront cost is the primary number to consider. The price depends on whether you include a battery to store your solar energy for use after sunset.
- A 6.5 kW solar-only system is estimated to cost around $16,575. This size is designed to offset a significant portion of the average local electricity bill.
- A 6.5 kW solar system with a 10 kWh battery is estimated to cost $31,575. This setup allows you to store excess solar power, which is critical for maximizing savings under PG&E's current rules.
These figures are modeled estimates; the calculator below can provide a more precise quote for your specific home.
Incentives & Tax Credits
California Solar Incentives for 2026
While the long-standing federal solar tax credit is no longer available for most new residential systems placed in service in 2026, California homeowners still benefit from important state-level policies:
- Property Tax Exclusion: Under current law, the value added to your home by a solar system is excluded from your property tax assessment for systems installed through June 30, 2026. This means you get the home improvement without the tax hike.
- High Rate Avoidance: The most significant financial incentive is avoiding PG&E's retail electricity rates, which are some of the highest in the country. Every kilowatt-hour of solar you generate and use at home is a kilowatt-hour you don't have to buy from the utility.
- Increased Home Value: An owned solar system can be an attractive feature for potential buyers, potentially supporting your home's resale appeal. It signals lower, more predictable utility costs for the next owner.
Net Metering: Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Net Billing (low export)
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Understanding Export Rates with PG&E
California's energy policy, often called the Net Billing Tariff (NBT), has changed how homeowners are compensated for excess solar power. You no longer receive a one-to-one credit for energy sent to the grid. Instead, the value of your exported electricity is much lower than the price of electricity you buy from PG&E.
For example, you might pay PG&E $0.32 per kWh for electricity, but they may only credit you around $0.11 per kWh for the solar energy you export. This is why using your own solar power directly—or storing it in a battery for later—provides the most value. A battery ensures your valuable solar energy powers your home instead of being sold to the grid for a fraction of its retail worth.
Projected Savings
Modeled Bill Savings: Solar vs. Solar + Battery
Your potential savings are directly tied to how much of your own solar energy you use. A solar-only system produces power during the day, offsetting your usage while the sun is out. Adding a battery allows you to store that daytime energy for use during the evening, when PG&E rates are often highest.
- The solar-only system is modeled to save approximately $1,970 per year, with an estimated payback period of 7.7 years.
- The solar and battery system significantly increases self-consumption, boosting modeled savings to $2,921 per year, with an estimated payback of 8.8 years.
If grid electricity from PG&E becomes more expensive over time, rooftop generation can offset costlier power in future years, potentially improving these payback estimates.