Money moved in three directions between Oct 22 and Oct 29, 2026. Utilities are asking for more, one local program put more battery money on the table, and two big equipment makers said homeowner demand is soft. That mix rewards reps who choose their doors carefully.
Top stories
1. The CPUC held PG&E’s interim rate vote to Nov 19, and SDG&E set its hearing dates
At its Thu Oct 29, 2026 voting meeting, the CPUC held a proposed decision that would let PG&E recover up to $456 million on an interim basis starting Jan 1, 2027, while its 2027 general rate case is still being decided. That’s about 51.5% of PG&E’s updated requested net increase of $885 million. Interim money is subject to refund with interest if the final decision authorizes less, and a final decision is expected around May 2027. Cal Advocates, TURN and other parties opposed interim relief. Law firm Stoel Rives’ Oct 28, 2026 regulatory update lists the item as held to the Thu Nov 19, 2026 meeting, and California Regulatory Intelligence’s Oct 30, 2026 meeting recap confirms the commission held it. The CPUC posts each meeting agenda about 10 days ahead, so check the Nov 19 agenda before you bring it up.
Down south, SDG&E is asking for a 2028 revenue requirement of about $3.8 billion, a $280 million or 8.1% increase over 2027 estimated levels. SDG&E says that if the request is approved, a typical residential customer would see an average electric bill increase of about $14.03 a month. New rates would start in 2028, so there’s no immediate bill impact. In person public hearings are Tue Nov 10, 2026 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Santee City Hall, with virtual sessions on Dec 9 and Dec 10, 2026.
Sources: CPUC proposed decision, Stoel Rives Oct 28 update, Oct 29 meeting recap, SDG&E general rate case page
2. Clean Power Alliance raised its base battery rebate to $2,000
On Oct 26, 2026, Clean Power Alliance (CPA) raised its base Sun Storage Rebate from $750 to $2,000 for eligible CPA residential customers installing a qualifying battery paired with solar. CPA says added incentives can bring the total to as much as $3,500. That includes up to $1,250 through Reliability+ for customers in areas often hit by PSPS events, and $250 more for customers on Medical Baseline, CARE or FERA. The medical and income-qualified incentives can’t be combined. The battery has to be at least 5 kWh, paired with solar, listed on California’s SGIP verified equipment list, and installed by a CSLB-licensed contractor. Customers can apply before installation or within three months after, and funding is first come, first served while it lasts. CPA says it has paid more than $330,000 in rebates to 270 customers since the program launched in 2024, with $1.62 million committed for the current fiscal year.
Source: Clean Power Alliance release
3. Enphase and Tesla both reported softer home solar numbers
Enphase reported Q3 2026 revenue of $293.3 million on Oct 27, 2026. U.S. revenue rose about 3%, which the company called "a smaller than anticipated increase due to soft residential solar demand." U.S. sell-through was up 5% from Q2 but down 35% year over year, and Enphase’s Q4 outlook assumes sell-through falls 10% from Q3. Enphase pointed to higher interest rates and the expiration of the Section 25D federal tax credit. Battery shipments still grew, to 129.9 MWh of IQ Batteries in Q3 from 113.8 MWh in Q2.
Tesla’s quarterly filing, made Oct 22, 2026, shows energy generation and storage revenue down $534 million, or 16%, from Q3 2025. Tesla says the drop came mainly from tariff refunds for certain Megapack customers, a lower average Megapack selling price, fewer Powerwall deployments and fewer solar retrofit cash deployments, partly offset by more Megapack deployments. These are national company figures, not California numbers.
Sources: Enphase Q3 2026 release, Tesla 10-Q on SEC.gov
Why it matters at the door
Rate cases. Rate talk works at the door when you keep it to what’s on file. Say PG&E’s interim request is still pending until at least Nov 19, 2026, or what SDG&E is asking for, and say "if approved." Don’t turn either number into a forecast for the bill in front of you.
CPA battery money. In CPA territory the battery pitch has more money behind it, but only for CPA customers. Check the bill before you quote. Lead with the $2,000 base, and don’t promise the top end or that the money will still be there when they apply.
Soft demand. When the big equipment makers call demand soft, easy yeses get harder to find. That makes the streets you pick matter more, because a wasted Saturday costs more in a slow market.
CA Corner
Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) customers have 180 day windows on two rebates, Pasadena Now reported on Oct 19, 2026. The solar rebate is 60 cents per watt, or $1 per watt for customers in PWP’s income-qualified bill assistance programs. The system has to be customer-owned, so leases and PPAs don’t qualify, and the application must reach PWP within 180 days of interconnection. The battery rebate is $350 per kWh, up to $550 per kWh for income-qualified or Medical Assistance Program customers, with 180 days from final permit approval to apply. Battery recipients must agree to join PWP’s first applicable demand response or virtual power plant program for at least 36 months after it launches, and PWP may recover 20% of the incentive, prorated, if a customer declines without an exemption or leaves in the first 12 months. PWP is waiving its own plan review and inspection fees for now, though other fees may still apply. It’s holding a free virtual workshop on Zoom Thu Nov 5, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Source: Pasadena Now
Before you head out
The money behind a pitch now changes from one utility and one city to the next, so the same street can be a strong Saturday or a wasted one. Run a free KnockGenius scan and see which doors in your territory are worth knocking first. Get your free scan
The KnockGenius Team