How we lower your electricity bill
First, we check whether you qualify for CARE or FERA — state discount programs worth 18–32.5% off your electricity bill, based on income or enrollment in assistance programs like Medi-Cal or CalFresh. That check is free and complete on its own — no phone number required to see your result.
If you own your home and it looks like solar could save you more, we'll ask a few follow-up questions about your roof and bill. If it won't save you money, we'll tell you that too.
CARE/FERA income guidelines
Set by the CPUC, applies to SCE, SDG&E, PG&E and other private utilities. CARE and FERA are California state discount programs — not something we run. We check your eligibility against this table (or your enrollment in a qualifying assistance program) and point you to your utility's own enrollment steps.
| People in household | CARE — 32.5% off electricity | FERA — 18% off electricity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $43,280 or less | $43,281–$54,100 |
| 2 | $43,280 or less | $43,281–$54,100 |
| 3 | $54,640 or less | $54,641–$68,300 |
| 4 | $66,000 or less | $66,001–$82,500 |
| 5 | $77,360 or less | $77,361–$96,700 |
| 6 | $88,720 or less | $88,721–$110,900 |
| 7 | $100,080 or less | $100,081–$125,100 |
| 8 | $111,440 or less | $111,441–$139,300 |
Each additional household member beyond 8 adds about $11,360 to the CARE limit. Gross annual income, before taxes. Effective June 1, 2026 through June 1, 2027 — source: CPUC.
Qualify automatically
If anyone in your household is enrolled in one of these, you qualify for CARE without any income paperwork:
- CalFresh (food stamps)
- Medi-Cal
- SSI
- WIC
- CalWORKs
- LIHEAP (energy assistance)
- National School Lunch Program
- Head Start (Tribal)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
Your utility
Enrollment happens directly with your utility, not with us. Jump straight to your utility's page:
Solar on your roof
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity that your home uses first, before pulling anything from the grid. Under net energy metering, any extra power your system produces during the day is credited against what you draw from the grid at night.
- Federal solar tax credit (ITC) — 30% of your system cost back as a credit on your federal taxes, through 2032.
- Net Energy Metering (NEM) — California utilities credit exported solar power against your usage.
- Property tax exclusion — added home value from a solar install is excluded from your property tax reassessment.
Incentive programs change. We'll confirm what actually applies to your address and utility during your free estimate — treat the above as a starting point, not a guarantee.
Where we work
We work with homeowners throughout the Sacramento area, including Woodland, Elk Grove, Roseville, and Davis. CARE and FERA eligibility checks are available to anyone in California with an electric bill.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a government program?
No. CARE and FERA are real California state discount programs, administered by your utility and regulated by the CPUC — we're not affiliated with either. We check your eligibility and hand you the direct enrollment link so you don't have to dig for it.
What if I don't qualify for CARE or FERA?
You'll still get a straight answer, plus a look at what else can lower your electricity bill — including whether solar makes sense for your roof.
I rent my home — can I still get help?
Yes. CARE and FERA are tied to whoever's name is on the electricity bill, not homeownership — renters qualify constantly. Solar financing is the one piece that does require ownership.
Do I have to give my phone number to see my result?
No. You can see your eligibility result on screen either way — giving a number just means we can text you the enrollment steps so you don't have to remember them.
What is CARE?
The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program is a state-regulated discount — 32.5% off your electricity bill — for households that meet an income limit or are already enrolled in a qualifying assistance program. PG&E and SDG&E also apply a gas discount, because those bills include both. SCE, LADWP, and SMUD bill electricity only.
What's the difference between CARE and FERA?
FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance) is for households whose income is a bit above the CARE limit — it's an 18% discount on electricity only (no gas discount). If you don't qualify for CARE, most utilities automatically check FERA on the same application.
Do I have to own my home to qualify?
No — CARE and FERA are tied to the electricity bill, not homeownership. If the bill is in your name, you can apply whether you rent or own.
I'm on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or another assistance program — do I still need to prove my income?
No. Being enrolled in a qualifying program (see the list below) qualifies you for CARE directly — no income paperwork required.
I pay my landlord for electricity instead of the utility directly — can I still get CARE?
Yes, but sub-metered/master-metered accounts use a different, paper-based application instead of the online one, since the utility can't verify your account directly. We'll tell you which one applies to you.
How often do I have to renew?
Most utilities recertify CARE and FERA every two years. You'll get a notice in the mail when it's time.
How much does solar actually cost?
Most Sacramento homeowners finance their system with $0 down, and the monthly payment is usually lower than what they were paying the utility. The exact number depends on your roof, your usage, and your current bill — that's what the quick check is for.
What's the payback period?
Typical payback is 6–10 years depending on your bill size, financing terms, and available incentives. After that, the power is effectively free for the remaining 15–20+ years of the system's life.
My roof is old — does that matter?
Yes. If your roof has less than about 10 years of life left, most installers will recommend re-roofing first so you're not paying to remove and reinstall panels later. We ask about roof age up front so we can tell you honestly whether now is the right time.
I rent my home — can I still go solar?
Not through this program — solar financing and incentives require you to own the home. If you're a renter, CARE and FERA discounts don't require homeownership.
Will my HOA allow solar panels?
California law (the Solar Rights Act) limits how much an HOA can restrict solar installations — they can regulate placement in some cases but generally can't ban solar outright. We'll check your HOA's specific rules as part of the free estimate.