Sacramento County Homeowners (SMUD Customers)

The SMUD Strategy™
$4,000 Per Battery + 30% Off Solar & Storage

A smarter way to structure solar + 2 Tesla Powerwalls using SMUD rebates, our prepaid lease discount, and Tesla VPP payments — built for homes with ~$250+/month SMUD bills.

✅ Up to $8,000 SMUD rebate with 2 batteries ($4,000 each)
✅ 30% prepaid lease discount (no homeowner tax credit needed)
✅ Tesla VPP program: $120 per battery / per quarter when eligible

👉 Get My Free SMUD Strategy Analysis

No pressure. No gimmicks. Just a real bill review and strategy session.

Built Specifically for Sacramento County SMUD Homes

How The SMUD Strategy™ Works

The SMUD Strategy™ is built around stacking three programs together — not relying on just one incentive.

When structured properly, this approach can significantly reduce the effective cost of installing solar + 2 Tesla Powerwalls while improving long-term energy stability.

1️⃣ SMUD Battery Rebate

SMUD currently offers $4,000 per battery for qualifying installations.

With 2 Tesla Powerwalls, that’s:

Up to $8,000 in rebates.

This incentive has already been reduced in recent years and may change again depending on program funding.

2️⃣ 30% Prepaid Lease Discount

While the federal homeowner tax credit has ended, we structure systems using a prepaid lease model that allows the 30% incentive to be applied at the corporate level.

That means you receive the equivalent discount without needing a tax credit yourself.

On a typical $50,000 solar + 2 battery system:

30% discount = approximately $15,000

This dramatically changes the financial structure.

3️⃣ Tesla Virtual Power Plant (VPP)

With 2 Tesla Powerwalls, you may qualify for SMUD’s Virtual Power Plant program.

Participation can provide:

• $120 per quarter / per battery
• Up to $480 per year
• Potentially $4,800+ over 10 years

You allow limited battery use during peak grid events — while maintaining backup functionality for your home.

Individually, these programs are helpful.

Stacked together, they create a structured energy strategy that many Sacramento County homeowners are using to reduce exposure to rising utility costs while adding backup protection.

See What This Could Look Like for a $250/Month Home →

What This Could Look Like for a $250/Month SMUD Home

Let’s walk through a simplified example using a typical $50,000 solar + 2 Tesla Powerwall system.

(Actual numbers vary based on home size, usage, credit profile, and eligibility.)

Example: $250/Month SMUD Home Comparison

Current Situation

$250 / Month
• No backup power
• Subject to future rate increases
• No equity creation
• Long-term utility dependence

SMUD Strategy Example

$122 / Month*
• 30% prepaid lease discount applied
• $8,000 SMUD battery rebate applied
• $960/year VPP participation
• 2 Tesla Powerwalls included
• Backup protection during outages
Potential Difference: ≈ $128 Per Month
*Illustrative example only. Final payments and savings depend on credit approval, eligibility, financing terms, home usage, and program availability.
See If Your Home Qualifies For The SMUD Strategy™
If your SMUD bill averages around $250 per month, you may qualify to stack the $4,000 per battery rebate, the 30% prepaid lease discount, and Tesla VPP participation.

We’ll review your actual usage and show you the real numbers for your home.
Get My Free SMUD Strategy Analysis
No obligation. No pressure. Just clarity.
Tesla Powerwall Strategy
Why 2 Tesla Powerwalls?
For most Sacramento homes averaging $250 per month in SMUD usage, one battery provides limited coverage. Two batteries create meaningful backup capacity and unlock full participation in the SMUD Strategy™.

Meaningful Backup Power

With 2 Tesla Powerwalls, most homes can support essential loads during outages — refrigeration, lighting, internet, HVAC (depending on configuration), and critical circuits.

Peak Rate Optimization

Two batteries allow more stored solar energy to be used in the evening when utility rates are highest, reducing exposure to peak pricing.

Virtual Power Plant Eligibility

SMUD’s Tesla Virtual Power Plant program is designed for homes with sufficient storage capacity. Two Powerwalls increase your ability to participate while maintaining backup functionality.

This Isn’t About Overbuilding.

It’s about designing enough storage to make the numbers work — rebates, VPP payments, peak optimization, and outage protection — all functioning together as one strategy.

Fit Check
Is The SMUD Strategy™ a Good Fit?
This strategy works best for certain households — and we’ll tell you upfront if it’s not a match. Our goal is clarity, not pressure.

Best Fit ✅

• SMUD bills around $200–$400/month (especially ~ $250/month)
• You plan to stay in the home 5+ years
• You want backup power for outages
• You want predictable energy costs vs. future rate changes
• You’re open to a structured prepaid lease approach

Not Ideal ⚠️

• Very low usage homes with small bills
• You plan to move in the next 1–3 years
• You’re looking for “free solar” or guaranteed bill elimination
• You don’t want any program participation (rebates/VPP may require it)
• You’re not comfortable reviewing real numbers and options first
Either way: we’ll run the numbers, show your options, and give you a straight answer.
Trust & Transparency
Local. Straightforward. Numbers-First.
The SMUD Strategy™ only works when it’s designed correctly — and when the incentives are applied the right way. We’ll walk you through the real numbers and tell you honestly if it’s a fit for your home.

No Pressure Process

We start with your actual SMUD usage and goals. If the numbers don’t make sense, we’ll say so.

Designed for Sacramento Homes

This page is built specifically for SMUD households around $250/month who want backup power and predictable costs.

Clear Options (No Mystery Math)

You’ll see the rebate stack, the prepaid lease discount structure, and the VPP impact explained in plain English.

“Our goal is simple: give you clarity. No gimmicks. No confusing solar jargon. Just a smart plan built around your home and your SMUD bill.”

— Watts Home Services (Sacramento Area)
Education-First
Local Sacramento Team
Transparent Incentive Breakdown
Backup + Savings Strategy
Installation Partner
Installed by a Licensed, Established Solar Contractor
The SMUD Strategy™ is designed and structured through Watts Home Services, and installation is performed by Solar Savings Direct — a CSLB-licensed California solar contractor serving Northern California since 2010.
Established 2010
25-Year Installation Warranty
CSLB #1065773
“Great experience from start to finish.” — Solar Savings Direct Customer (Public Review)
“Installers were courteous, punctual, and clean.” — Solar Savings Direct Customer (Public Review)
“They walked us through the details and made financing easy.” — Solar Savings Direct Customer (Public Review)
Customer excerpts sourced from publicly available Solar Savings Direct reviews. Watts Home Services structures the SMUD Strategy™; installation is performed by a licensed contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the $4,000 SMUD battery rebate guaranteed?
The rebate is subject to SMUD program availability and eligibility requirements. We confirm qualification before installation and help guide the application process, but program terms can change over time.
How does the 30% prepaid lease discount work if the tax credit ended?
The federal homeowner tax credit has ended. However, under a prepaid lease structure, the 30% incentive is applied at the corporate level and reflected as a discount in your system pricing. This allows homeowners to benefit from the incentive without claiming a personal tax credit.
Will this eliminate my SMUD bill?
Not necessarily. The goal of the SMUD Strategy™ is to restructure and reduce your long-term energy costs — not promise total bill elimination. Final savings depend on system size, usage, and program participation.
What happens during a power outage?
With 2 Tesla Powerwalls, most homes can power essential loads during an outage. Exact coverage depends on how your system is configured and your energy usage.
What is the Tesla Virtual Power Plant (VPP)?
The VPP program allows SMUD to draw limited energy from participating batteries during peak grid events. In exchange, eligible homeowners may receive quarterly compensation while still maintaining backup functionality.
What if I plan to sell my home?
Solar and battery systems can be transferred to a new homeowner, subject to lender and program guidelines. We review your timeline before recommending any strategy.
How do I know if this makes sense for my home?
That’s exactly what the Free SMUD Strategy Analysis is for. We review your bill, evaluate eligibility, and show real numbers specific to your home before you make any decisions.
Free bill review + eligibility check
Get Your Free SMUD Strategy™ Analysis
If you’re around $250/month with SMUD and want backup power, we’ll show you what stacking the $4,000 per battery rebate, the 30% prepaid lease discount, and Tesla VPP could look like for your home.

You’ll get clear numbers — and a straight answer on whether it makes sense.

What we calculate

• 2 Tesla Powerwall eligibility
• SMUD rebate stack (up to $8,000)
• Prepaid lease discount impact
• VPP payment estimate
• Realistic monthly comparison

What you’ll receive

• A simple plan for your home
• A clear monthly estimate (not hype)
• Backup coverage guidance
• Next steps if you decide to move forward

What we don’t do

• No “free solar” claims
• No pressure tactics
• No confusing jargon
• No guessing — we use your bill
Start My Free Analysis
Takes 60 seconds. No obligation. We’ll follow up with clarity, not pressure.