For homeowners in Lincoln, high electricity bills from PG&E are a constant pressure, especially during hot Placer County summers. While solar panels are a powerful way to generate your own clean energy, the rules have changed. In 2026, simply sending excess power back to the grid isn't the smart financial move it once was. The key to maximizing your solar investment now lies in using as much of the power you generate as possible, right inside your own home.
This is where pairing solar panels with a home battery becomes a highly effective strategy. It allows you to store the abundant midday sun and use it during the evening, avoiding PG&E's expensive peak rates and low export credits.
Get a quick estimate tied to local rates and sun hours.
Open calculatorBenchmark Cost Analysis
2026 Solar & Battery Costs in Lincoln
Here are modeled cost estimates for a typical 6.7 kW solar system designed to offset the average local electricity bill. These figures reflect pricing in early 2026 without any federal tax credits.
- Solar-Only System Cost: A standard rooftop solar installation is estimated at $17,085.
- Solar + Battery System Cost: For enhanced savings and backup power, the same system paired with a 10 kWh battery is estimated at $32,085.
An owned solar system can also be a valuable long-term feature, potentially supporting your home's resale appeal.
Incentives & Tax Credits
California Solar Incentives in 2026
As of early 2026, the long-standing federal residential solar tax credit is no longer available for new systems. However, California homeowners still benefit from important state-level policies that make going solar more affordable.
The most significant financial benefit is the Active Solar Energy System Property Tax Exclusion. This state rule prevents your property taxes from increasing due to the added value of your rooftop solar system. For systems installed through mid-2026, this is a major advantage that ensures your solar investment doesn't lead to a higher tax bill.
Net Metering: Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Net Billing (low export)
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Understanding Export Rates with PG&E
Under California's Net Billing Tariff (NBT), the value of surplus solar energy you send to the grid has changed. PG&E no longer credits you at the full retail rate for your exports. Instead, you receive a much lower credit, modeled here at around $0.11 per kWh.
Compare that to the rate you pay to buy electricity from the grid—roughly $0.32 per kWh. This difference is why storing your excess solar power in a battery for evening use is now the recommended path. By using your stored energy, you avoid buying expensive power from PG&E and get the full value from every kilowatt-hour your panels produce.
Projected Savings
Modeled Bill Savings: Why a Battery Makes a Difference
With PG&E's current net billing structure, the value of your savings depends heavily on how you use your solar energy. Using your own solar power directly is worth over twice as much as exporting it.
- A solar-only system is modeled to save approximately $1,970 annually, with a payback period of about 7.9 years. This system significantly reduces your daytime energy costs.
- A solar and battery system increases those savings to $2,921 annually. While the initial investment is higher, leading to a payback period of around 8.9 years, the long-term financial return is stronger because you are offsetting more of PG&E's most expensive electricity.
These savings can become even more significant over time if utility rates continue to rise, as your system will be offsetting increasingly expensive grid power.