What is the Residential Storage Initiative?

We know how difficult it is to be without power. That's why PG&E is taking steps to reduce the burden of outages on customers and communities. Through the Residential Storage Initiative, we are providing permanent back-up battery systems, free of charge, to support specific customers who are most vulnerable to power outages.

We expect some areas will experience more frequent outages due to climate change and weather. We’ve installed Enhanced Safety Power Settings (EPSS) on power lines in high-risk areas to reduce weather-related ignitions and help keep customers safe. EPSS outages last approximately 3-5 hours. A free home battery through the Residential Storage Initiative should provide power to your important circuits and appliances through an average outage.

For a limited time, qualified customers can have a battery storage system (10-13 kWh) installed in their homes at no cost (valued at over $10,000).

Battery storage can:

• Store energy from the grid, so you can use it anytime during an outage.
• Extend your home’s electrical power for 3-5 hours during an outage. Depending on your energy use, it should provide enough power for the duration of most outages that occur in your area.

To start the process, you need to meet the initial program requirements:

• Must have experienced five or more Enhanced Power Safety Settings outages since January 1, 2023, and
• Must be served by an EPSS impacted circuit, and
• Must be enrolled in CARE, FERA, Medical Baseline, or Self-Identified Vulnerable.

 Note: Meeting these initial program requirements does not guarantee that a battery storage system will be provided. The program includes several stages, and customers must meet specific requirements throughout the process. PG&E and contract partner Richard Heath & Associates (RHA), now part of Resource Innovations, will review each customer’s status at various points to determine continued participation.

Step 1 – Outreach & Prequalification
The RHA staff will perform outreach to PG&E’s specified customer list that have been pre-determined to meet the initial criteria listed above. RHA staff will conduct a phone survey to determine if prequalification requirements are met.

 Note: Being contacted by RHA for the initial phone prequalification survey does not guarantee that a battery storage system will be provided.

Step 2 – Site Assessments
If you, the customer, prequalify for the program, RHA subcontractors will schedule Site Assessments to validate survey responses and identify up to four to five circuits for the battery to support during an outage.

A field technician will assess your property and electrical panel(s) to determine battery location, electrical panel(s) to determine battery location, document meter information, and collect any other relevant documentation. This could include documentation for the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) if your project is deemed eligible.

 Note: Be sure to let RHA know if your home has solar. Receiving a site assessment does not guarantee that a battery storage system will be provided. Exceptions will not be made for residences that do not meet the programs' site requirements.    

Step 3 – Permitting
Obtaining permits to install the battery may take several weeks or more, depending on the workload of the local permitting office. Once electrical design is complete, RHA will apply for a permit and keep you informed of timelines.

Step 4 – Installation & Final Inspection 
The installation itself will require work performed in the home’s electrical panel to connect the battery to pre-selected circuits. The installation will take 1-2 full workdays to perform. RHA subcontractors will schedule an inspection.

Step 5 – Interconnection & Permission to Operate
The PG&E Interconnection team reviews all new battery storage and solar projects to safely interconnect energy storage systems to the PG&E electric grid. RHA drafts an Interconnection application (customer signature required) and pays a fee on behalf of the customer prior to battery installation. When the final inspection is approved, PG&E will grant Permission to Operate. 

 Note: Use of battery storage system after installation is not permitted until Permission to Operate is granted.

PG&E is your utility company providing electricity

We are taking strides to prevent wildfires and support customer resiliency throughout our territory. This program is one of these efforts.

Richard Heath & Associates (RHA), now part of Resource Innovations, is a trusted partner of PG&E

RHA supports energy-efficiency, low-income and battery programs. They have trained installers for this program.

When you enroll to receive this free battery, you will also be enrolled in the PG&E Power Saver Rewards program (if you’re not enrolled already) or in another Load Management program as determined by PG&E or the CPUC. You can earn money and help California avoid power interruptions by reducing energy consumption during specific times of day.

Participation in PG&E’s Power Saver Rewards Program is required. It is a demand-response program that notifies customers to reduce their electricity consumption during critical times to support the grid.