SCE CARE and FERA Customers: Does Solar Still Make Sense at Discounted Rates?
Helping Riverside County homeowners navigate SCE rates and solar options since 2020
If you are on SCE's CARE or FERA program, you already pay less per kilowatt-hour than your neighbors. That naturally raises the question: does solar still make financial sense when your starting electricity rate is lower?
The short answer is yes - but the math looks different, and there are additional programs available to CARE customers specifically that can make solar far more affordable than most people realize. Some qualifying households can get solar installed for free.
This guide walks through the numbers honestly and explains every program that applies.
First: What Do CARE and FERA Actually Do to Your Rate?
SCE's CARE program provides a 30 to 35% discount on electricity rates. SCE's standard peak rate sits at approximately 34.5 cents per kWh. With the CARE discount applied at 33%, your effective peak rate drops to roughly 23 cents per kWh.
FERA provides an 18% discount, bringing a 34.5 cent rate to approximately 28 cents per kWh.
These are real discounts on meaningful bills. A household spending $300 per month on SCE without CARE pays about $200 per month with CARE. That is $2,400 per year instead of $3,600.
The Solar Math for CARE Customers
Here is the core question: does solar save money when your rate is 23 cents instead of 34.5 cents?
Example Household: CARE Customer, $200/month Bill
Payback of 10 to 12 years is longer than the 7 to 9 year payback for non-CARE customers, but it is still positive. A system installed today will generate free power for 13 to 15 years after payback on a 25-year warranty. Total lifetime savings remain substantial.
The key driver in this math is self-consumption. Under NEM 3.0, SCE pays only about 8 cents per kWh for power you export to the grid. Every kilowatt-hour you use yourself saves you 23 cents. Every kilowatt-hour you export earns 8 cents. Sizing the system to match your actual consumption (not maximize export) is critical for CARE customers.
A battery paired with the system improves these economics by storing excess production for evening use, converting 8-cent export credits into 23-cent self-consumption savings.
DAC-SASH: Free Solar for Qualifying CARE Customers
The most important program most CARE customers do not know about is DAC-SASH: Disadvantaged Communities Single-Family Solar Homes. This program was created specifically for low-income homeowners in areas classified as California Disadvantaged Communities.
DAC-SASH: What It Provides
- Up to $3 per watt in solar incentives
- On a 5 kW system, that is up to $15,000 in incentives
- For many qualifying households, this covers 80 to 100% of total system cost
- Administered by GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit that also manages installation
- The system is yours - you own it and can claim additional state incentives
Who Qualifies for DAC-SASH?
You need to meet all three of these requirements:
- You are an SCE CARE customer (income-qualified or categorical qualifying program).
- You own a single-family home (not renting).
- Your home is in a California Disadvantaged Community as defined by the CalEnviroScreen tool.
The DAC designation covers many communities in the Inland Empire and Riverside County. To check if your address qualifies, visit the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's CalEnviroScreen tool at oehha.ca.gov, or call GRID Alternatives directly at (888) 577-7577. GRID Alternatives serves the Inland Empire region and can tell you within minutes whether your address qualifies.
The waitlist for DAC-SASH can be long in high-demand areas. Applying early matters. See our full breakdown of California solar incentives in 2026 for additional programs that may stack on top of DAC-SASH.
Enhanced SGIP Battery Rebates for CARE Customers
California's SGIP (Self-Generation Incentive Program) pays rebates for battery storage systems. CARE customers qualify for the SGIP Equity Budget, which provides higher rebates than the standard residential program.
In the equity budget tier, CARE customers can receive $150 per kWh or more in SGIP incentives, compared to lower standard rebates. On a 10 kWh battery system, that is $1,500 or more in incentives, bringing the cost of backup power storage down substantially.
SGIP rebates are first-come, first-served and tied to annual budget cycles. Check sgipinfo.com for the current availability status for SCE territory.
CARE and FERA Income Eligibility Thresholds
| Household Size | CARE Max Income (approx.) | FERA Max Income (approx.) | FERA Min Income (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 people | $41,400/yr | N/A (FERA requires 3+) | N/A |
| 3 people | $52,100/yr | $65,100/yr | $52,100/yr |
| 4 people | $63,000/yr | $78,750/yr | $63,000/yr |
| 5 people | $73,600/yr | $92,000/yr | $73,600/yr |
| 6 people | $84,200/yr | $105,250/yr | $84,200/yr |
Note: Households receiving Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI, WIC, LIHEAP, or NSLP automatically qualify for CARE regardless of income. Verify current thresholds at sce.com/CARE. FERA requires at least three household members.
Common Questions
Can CARE customers still save money with solar?
Yes. Even with the CARE discount, SCE customers pay roughly 23 cents per kWh effective rate. Solar self-consumption still saves 23 cents per kWh. Payback is longer than for non-CARE customers - typically 10 to 12 years - but the long-term savings over 25 years remain substantial.
What is the DAC-SASH program and how do I qualify?
DAC-SASH provides up to $3 per watt in solar incentives for CARE customers in California Disadvantaged Communities who own their home. A 5 kW system could receive up to $15,000 in incentives, covering most or all of the installation cost. Applications go through GRID Alternatives at gridalternatives.org.
Do CARE customers get better SGIP battery rebates?
Yes. CARE customers qualify for the SGIP Equity Budget, which provides $150 per kWh or more in battery storage rebates. On a 10 kWh battery system, that is $1,500 or more in incentives, reducing the cost of adding backup power significantly.
Does going solar affect my CARE eligibility?
No. Installing solar does not affect your CARE or FERA enrollment status. CARE eligibility is based on income and qualifying public assistance programs, not on how much electricity you use or whether you generate your own. Your discount remains in place after solar installation.
What if I am a renter on CARE?
DAC-SASH and most solar programs require home ownership. Renters on CARE can benefit from community solar programs if they become available in the SCE territory, but options are currently limited. Check with SCE for any low-income renter programs in development.
Find Out Which Programs Apply to Your Address
CARE status, DAC designation, and SGIP availability all depend on your specific address and situation. We can check all three in about 10 minutes and tell you exactly what your system would cost after every available incentive.
Check Your Incentive Eligibility