SMUD Solar Incentive Stacking: How Sacramento Homeowners Are Cutting a $60,000 Solar + Battery System Nearly in Half in 2026

The federal solar tax credit expired for individual homeowners — but Sacramento County SMUD customers have a better option in 2026. Through a prepaid lease structure, eligible homeowners receive the full 30% discount off their system price before the loan is ever originated. Add SMUD's My Energy Optimizer Partner+ battery rebate, an unsecured solar loan that re-amortizes up to three times, and ongoing Virtual Power Plant quarterly payments — and a typical Sacramento solar and battery system drops from $60,000 to an estimated $34,000 net cost with a monthly payment around $170. Full breakdown inside.