Electrical Panel Rebates in California (2026)

Find electrical panel rebates and incentives in California for 2026, including the federal HOMES and HEAR programmes, state incentives and utility rebates.

Only partly available in California. HEEHRA single-family rebates have been fully reserved statewide since 24 February 2026, though multifamily remains available. The HOMES whole-home program has not launched. Availability can be limited by region, by housing type or by remaining funds, so check the official page for the current terms before committing to a project. Source: California Energy Commission (CEC).

Programme status and income limits on this page were last checked against official state and federal sources on 31 July 2026. These programmes change without notice.

Varies Max HEAR Rebate

Not launched yet HOMES Status (CA)

Launched, funds reserved (waitlist) HEAR Status (CA)

4 Utility Programs

HEAR Electrical Panel Rebate in California

Status: Launched, funds reserved (waitlist)

HEAR has launched in California but is launched, funds reserved (waitlist), so availability for electrical panel rebates is limited. Check the official programme page for the current terms.

HOMES Rebate for Electrical Panel in California

Status: Not launched yet

California's HOMES programme is not available today. When it launches, a electrical panel installed as part of a whole-home retrofit could qualify for rebates up to $8,000.

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Electrical Panel in California: What’s Available in 2026

Quick Answer: Electrical panel upgrades qualify for up to $4,000 under the federal HEAR program. For households at or below 80% AMI, the full cost is covered up to the cap. For households between 80–150% AMI, 50% of the cost is covered. Upgrades must be performed by a licensed electrician and are typically required in connection with other electrification projects such as heat pumps or EV chargers.An upgraded panel is often a prerequisite for other electrification projects like heat pumps, EV chargers, and heat pump water heaters, making this rebate a key enabler for a full home electrification strategy.

Why Electrical Panel Upgrades Qualify for Rebates

Many American homes were built with 100-amp or even 60-amp electrical panels, designed for an era when gas handled most heating, cooking, and water heating. Switching to electric appliances like heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and electric vehicle chargers often requires upgrading to a 200-amp panel.

The HEAR program recognizes this reality by offering up to $4,000 specifically for electrical panel upgrades and associated wiring. This makes it the second-largest single-item HEAR rebate after heat pumps.

The panel upgrade rebate serves a strategic purpose in the Inflation Reduction Act's design: removing one of the biggest barriers to home electrification. Without adequate electrical capacity, homeowners can't take advantage of other rebates for heat pumps, electric cooking, or EV charging. The $4,000 panel rebate essentially unlocks the rest of the electrification pathway.

For households at or below 80% AMI, the full cost is covered up to $4,000. Since a typical panel upgrade costs $2,000-$5,000, this rebate covers most or all of the expense for many qualifying households. Households between 80-150% AMI receive 50% of costs up to the cap.

Requirements for Panel Upgrade Rebates

To qualify for the HEAR electrical panel rebate, your upgrade must meet specific requirements:

Must support electrification: The panel upgrade should be done in connection with or in preparation for installing other HEAR-eligible appliances. A standalone panel upgrade without any electrification purpose may not qualify in all states.
Licensed electrician required: The work must be performed by a licensed electrical contractor. DIY panel work is both ineligible for rebates and illegal in most jurisdictions.
Code compliance: The upgraded panel must meet current National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements. This typically means a 200-amp panel with appropriate breaker capacity for planned electric loads.
Permit and inspection: Most states require a permit for panel upgrades, and the completed work must pass inspection. Keep all documentation for your rebate application.

Some homes may benefit from modern panel alternatives like smart electrical panels (e.g., SPAN or Lumin) that can manage higher loads without a full amperage upgrade. Check with your state's HEAR program to see if smart panels qualify.

If you're planning multiple electrification projects, coordinate the panel upgrade with your other installations. A good electrician can plan the panel layout to accommodate your current and future needs in a single visit, saving on labor costs.

California State Programs for Electrical Panel

TECH Clean California

Statewide incentive program for heat pump HVAC and water heating systems. Single-family incentives closed to new reservations November 14, 2025 (all regions fully exhausted by February 2026). Multifamily program may still have budget. Visit techcleanca.com for status updates and to find a participating contractor for future phases.

Amount: Was up to $5,800 for heat pump HVAC, up to $4,885 for heat pump water heater (closed to new single-family reservations)

Learn more

Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)

Provides rebates for battery storage systems paired with solar. All ratepayer-funded SGIP budgets (General Market, Equity, Equity Resiliency) closed December 31, 2025. Income-qualified households at or below 80% AMI can join the RSSE AB 209 waitlist. Historical tier amounts: $150/kWh general, $850/kWh equity, $1,000/kWh equity resilience (high fire-risk areas).

Amount: Waitlist only -- check selfgenc.com for RSSE AB 209 availability

Learn more

CalSHAPE (Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency)

While focused on schools, this program improves HVAC and plumbing in public school buildings, indirectly benefiting communities.

Amount: Varies by project

Learn more

Utility Electrical Panel Rebates in California

These utility companies in California may offer additional rebates for electrical panel installations. Utility rebates can typically be stacked with HEAR and HOMES rebates.

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)

PG&E's rebates page no longer lists its own heat pump, water heater, thermostat or insulation rebates (checked 4 October 2026). Income-qualified households (at or below 200% federal poverty level) can get no-cost upgrades, including heat pump water heaters, through the Energy Savings Assistance Program. PG&E still lists EV-charging, used-EV and backup-battery rebates.

Southern California Edison (SCE)

Delivers heat pump incentives through the statewide TECH Clean California program (currently closed to new single-family reservations). Income-qualified customers can receive up to $4,200 for electrical panel upgrades through the Charge Ready Home program, and free weatherization and efficiency upgrades through the Energy Savings Assistance Program. Check sce.com for current rebate availability by equipment type.

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP)

Home energy improvement rebates including up to $3,000 for central heat pumps and $500 for heat pump water heaters. Additional weatherization rebates available for insulation and air sealing. Visit ladwp.com/rebates for current program status and eligible equipment.

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)

Primarily administers statewide TECH Clean California and SGIP programs for San Diego-area customers. Standalone utility rebate amounts vary by equipment and program cycle -- visit sdge.com/rebates for current incentives on HVAC, insulation, and water heaters. The CHERP (Customer Home Electrification Readiness Program) can help you identify and stack available incentives.

Income Eligibility for Electrical Panel Rebates in California

Your eligibility for the maximum electrical panel rebate depends on your household income relative to the Area Median Income (AMI) in your area.

Area	80% AMI (Family of 4)	150% AMI (Family of 4)
Los Angeles County	$133,250	$249,800
Riverside County	$98,400	$184,500
San Diego County	$139,900	$262,300
Orange County	$148,850	$279,000
Alameda County	$135,750	$254,500
Sacramento County	$105,100	$197,000

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Use our calculator to estimate your total savings including federal, state, and utility rebates.

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Before you spend money on this

Energy Rebate Calculator is an independent website. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Energy, California, or any other government agency, and nothing on this page is an offer, an application, or a promise of payment.

Federal and state rebate programmes launch, pause, change their amounts and run out of funds without notice, and eligibility rules differ by county, household size, housing type and sometimes by region within a state. Most programmes also refuse to pay for work completed before their launch date.

Confirm your eligibility and the current terms directly with the administering agency, and get written confirmation, before you sign a contract or buy equipment. Where this page cites an official source, that source governs. If you spot something out of date, tell us and we will correct it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I get for a electrical panel in California?

Nothing yet. HEAR is launched, funds reserved (waitlist) in California, so no federal electrical panel rebate can be claimed there today, and rebates are generally not paid for work completed before a programme launches. Once it opens, the federal framework allows up to varies for households at or below 80% of Area Median Income, and 50% of the cost up to the same cap for households between 80% and 150% AMI. Utility rebates may be available now regardless.

Is the HEAR program open in California for electrical panel rebates?

The HEAR status in California is: Launched, funds reserved (waitlist). The programme has launched but availability is limited, so check the official programme page for the current terms.

Can I combine electrical panel rebates with other incentives in California?

Yes. In California, you can typically stack HEAR rebates with HOMES whole-home rebates (if you qualify for both), state-specific programmes like TECH Clean California, and with utility rebates. Combined incentives generally cannot exceed 100% of the project cost, and the same measure cannot always be claimed twice.

What income qualifies for the maximum electrical panel rebate in California?

To qualify for the maximum rebate, your household income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) for your county in California. For example, in Los Angeles County, 80% AMI for a family of 4 is $133,250. Households between 80% and 150% AMI receive 50% of costs up to the cap.

Is there a federal rebate for electrical panel upgrades?

Yes. The federal HEAR (High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act) program provides up to $4,000 for electrical panel upgrades. Households at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) receive 100% of costs covered up to the cap. Households between 80–150% AMI receive 50% of costs. Since a typical upgrade from a 100-amp to a 200-amp panel costs $2,000–$5,000, many low-income homeowners can complete the project at little or no out-of-pocket cost. HEAR rebates are administered state-by-state — check your state's program status to see if applications are currently open.

What qualifies as an electrical panel upgrade for the rebate?

To qualify for the HEAR electrical panel rebate, the upgrade must increase your home's electrical capacity in support of electrification — typically replacing a 60-amp or 100-amp panel with a 200-amp service panel. The work must be performed by a licensed electrician, meet current National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements, and pass required permits and inspections. Modern smart electrical panels (such as SPAN or Lumin) may also qualify in some states. A standalone panel upgrade with no planned electrification purpose may not qualify in all states.

How much is the electrical panel upgrade rebate?

The HEAR program provides up to $4,000 for electrical panel upgrades and associated wiring. Households at or below 80% AMI get 100% of costs covered up to the cap, while households at 80-150% AMI get 50% coverage. A typical panel upgrade from 100-amp to 200-amp costs $2,000-$5,000, so this rebate covers a significant portion.

Do I need to install other electric appliances to qualify for the panel rebate?

In most states, the panel upgrade should be connected to a home electrification project. This means you should be installing or planning to install other HEAR-eligible improvements like a heat pump, heat pump water heater, or electric stove. A standalone panel upgrade with no electrification purpose may not qualify. Check your state's specific HEAR program rules.

Can I get both the electrical panel rebate and the wiring rebate?

The HEAR program includes a separate $2,500 rebate for electric wiring. If your home needs both a panel upgrade and significant rewiring to support new electric appliances, you could potentially claim up to $4,000 for the panel and $2,500 for wiring, totaling $6,500 for electrical work alone. Both count toward the $14,000 per-household HEAR cap.

How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?

If your home has a 100-amp or smaller panel and you plan to add a heat pump, heat pump water heater, electric vehicle charger, or other major electric appliances, you likely need an upgrade. Signs include frequently tripping breakers, no available breaker slots, or an electrician telling you there isn't enough capacity for new equipment. A licensed electrician can assess your panel and recommend the right upgrade path.