March 15, 2026 · Energy · San Diego, CA
San Diego Launches Community Solar Program for Renters
San Diego has become the first city in California to launch a large-scale community solar program specifically designed for renters, unlocking clean energy access for an estimated 50,000 households that have been largely excluded from the rooftop solar revolution. The program, called "Solar for All SD," allows apartment residents to subscribe to shared solar installations and receive credits on their SDG&E bills — no rooftop, no panels, no installation required.
The program addresses a fundamental inequity in the clean energy transition: while homeowners with suitable roofs have been able to install solar panels and slash their electricity bills for over a decade, the roughly 52 percent of San Diego households that rent have had virtually no way to access solar energy benefits.
How It Works
Solar for All SD operates through a portfolio of 15 community solar installations totaling 75 megawatts, located on commercial rooftops, parking structures, and unused municipal land throughout San Diego County. Subscribers sign up for a share of a local solar installation — typically equivalent to 5 to 8 kilowatts — and receive monthly credits on their SDG&E bill based on the energy their share produces.
The average subscriber is projected to save approximately 20 percent on their annual electricity costs, translating to roughly $480 per year for a typical two-bedroom apartment. There is no upfront cost, no credit check requirement, and subscribers can cancel with 30 days' notice — provisions specifically designed to remove barriers for low and moderate-income households.
"Traditional solar requires you to own a home, have a good roof, have decent credit, and be willing to sign a 20-year contract," said Nicole Rivera, the city's Chief Sustainability Officer. "Community solar requires none of that. You just sign up and start saving."
Environmental Justice Focus
The program includes a critical environmental justice component: 40 percent of total capacity is reserved for households in communities identified by CalEnviroScreen as disproportionately burdened by pollution and poverty. These communities — including Barrio Logan, City Heights, National City, and southeastern San Diego — have historically had the lowest solar adoption rates despite having some of the highest energy burden as a percentage of household income.
For qualified low-income subscribers in these communities, the program offers enhanced savings of up to 35 percent, achieved through additional bill credits funded by California's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The program also partners with GRID Alternatives to provide energy efficiency assessments and weatherization services that can further reduce participants' energy costs.
"In environmental justice communities, families often spend 10 to 15 percent of their income on energy — three times the national average," said Dr. Amanda Torres, director of the Environmental Health Coalition's clean energy program. "This program directly reduces that burden while building community wealth through lower utility bills."
SDG&E Partnership
The program was developed in partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric, which manages the billing credit system and provides customer enrollment support. SDG&E invested $12 million in grid interconnection upgrades to accommodate the 75 megawatts of new solar capacity and developed the billing software that automatically applies solar credits to subscriber accounts.
"Community solar is the future of distributed energy, and we want to be part of building that future rather than reacting to it," said SDG&E CEO Caroline Winn. "This program creates a win-win — renters get lower bills, the grid gets clean energy during peak demand, and our system becomes more resilient."
The utility has committed to expanding the billing credit framework to accommodate up to 200 megawatts of community solar by 2030 if the initial program proves successful, which would bring the total eligible households to approximately 130,000.
Installation Locations and Jobs
The 15 initial solar installations are strategically distributed to serve all regions of the county, with sites in Kearny Mesa, Mission Valley, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, and the Otay Mesa area. Several installations are located on large commercial rooftops — including two shopping centers and a warehouse district — while others utilize city-owned parking structures and a capped landfill site in Miramar.
Construction and operation of the installations is projected to create 350 direct jobs, including 200 construction positions and 150 permanent operations and maintenance roles. The program requires that all installation contractors pay prevailing wages and that at least 30 percent of construction workers be recruited from local workforce development programs.
Statewide Implications
California energy policy experts are watching San Diego's program closely as a potential model for statewide community solar legislation currently pending in Sacramento. Assembly Bill 2120, introduced by Assemblymember Chris Ward of San Diego, would create a framework for community solar programs across all California investor-owned utility territories.
"If Solar for All SD works — and we believe it will — it becomes the blueprint for giving millions of California renters their first real access to clean energy savings," said Ward. "San Diego is proving that community solar isn't just a concept. It's a practical, scalable solution that serves exactly the communities our clean energy transition has left behind."
Enrollment for Solar for All SD opens April 1, with the first billing credits expected to appear on subscriber accounts by July. Interested residents can pre-register through the city's sustainability website or at community enrollment events scheduled at libraries and community centers throughout March.