Ava Community Energy SmartHome Battery: incentive guide and eligibility details
$90/kWh of the battery share you enroll ($500/kWh income-qualified) + $3/month per shared kWh for 5 years
Ava (formerly East Bay Community Energy) pays a battery installation rebate plus five years of monthly payments for sharing battery capacity with its virtual power plant.
Program quick facts
Incentive amount
$90/kWh of the battery share you enroll ($500/kWh income-qualified) + $3/month per shared kWh for 5 years
Subject to funding, equipment, and program terms
Program status
open
Verify status before signing a contract
Territory
Ava Community Energy (formerly EBCE)
Alameda
Qualification
Program-specific
This program is not described as strictly income-qualified, but income can still affect financing, installer offers, and other stackable programs.
How this program works
Ava Community Energy SmartHome Battery applies in Ava Community Energy (formerly EBCE). The core value is $90/kWh of the battery share you enroll ($500/kWh income-qualified) + $3/month per shared kWh for 5 years. Eligibility depends on customer status, eligible equipment, application timing, and program funding.
What to verify before buying
Check whether the application must be reserved before purchase or installation, whether your installer must participate, and whether the battery model is on the official approved list.
How to use EnergyScout
Start with ZIP and utility matching, then add income qualification only when it changes the result. After the report shows likely programs, the homeowner can opt into installer matching.
Example incentive stack
Actual values depend on equipment, installer pricing, financing, tax situation, and official program approval.
Timing and qualification notes
- Program funding can change without much warning.
- Many battery rebates require approval or reservation before installation.
- Official program administrators make the final eligibility decision.
Income-qualified check
See whether income-qualified programs apply
Some rebates depend on household income, CARE/FERA status, area median income, or environmental-justice territory. Start with ZIP and system type, then opt into installer help only if you want quotes.
EnergyScout can screen likely California programs, but official program administrators make final eligibility decisions.
Program FAQ
Who should check Ava SmartHome Battery?
Ava Community Energy residential customers (PG&E account holder) installing a new battery or adding one to solar. You choose to share 40%, 60%, or 80% of the battery with Ava's virtual power plant (Tesla Powerwalls must share 80%); the rebate and monthly payments are based on that shared capacity. Income-qualified (CARE/FERA) customers get $500/kWh and must pass the rebate to the installer. Open until the budget is used up. The City of Alameda is served by Alameda Municipal Power, not Ava.
Does income matter?
This program is not described as strictly income-qualified, but income can still affect financing, installer offers, and other stackable programs.
Can an installer help with this?
Often yes, but installer contact should remain opt-in after the homeowner sees the likely eligibility result.
Who qualifies for Ava SmartHome Battery?
Ava Community Energy residential customers (PG&E account holder) installing a new battery or adding one to solar. You choose to share 40%, 60%, or 80% of the battery with Ava's virtual power plant (Tesla Powerwalls must share 80%); the rebate and monthly payments are based on that shared capacity. Income-qualified (CARE/FERA) customers get $500/kWh and must pass the rebate to the installer. Open until the budget is used up. The City of Alameda is served by Alameda Municipal Power, not Ava.
Can this be checked in the EnergyScout calculator?
Yes. Enter your address or zip code in the calculator and EnergyScout will show matching local incentives in your report.
Should I verify before buying a battery?
Yes. Program rules and funding can change, and many rebates require reservation approval before purchase or installation.