Use this guide
Choose the questions relevant to your situation. Expand each answer, save the checklist and request written clarification where evidence is missing.
Questions homeowners ask
Who must have authority to enroll the equipment?
The agreement requires customer-of-record status and authority to control eligible equipment. Resolve owner or lease restrictions before signing.
Source: SMUD: My Energy Optimizer Partner+ agreement, updated April 3, 2026. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Does enrollment authorize remote battery control?
The agreement authorizes program remote control and requires always-on broadband at your cost. Ask which equipment and modes are affected.
Source: SMUD: My Energy Optimizer Partner+ agreement, updated April 3, 2026. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Is there an ongoing participation term?
The April 2026 agreement specifies an initial three-year term and automatic renewal. Retain your effective date and signed terms.
Source: SMUD: My Energy Optimizer Partner+ agreement, updated April 3, 2026. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Can leaving early require repayment?
The agreement describes early-termination repayment. Request the applicable procedure and written amount from SMUD; this guide does not determine your obligation.
Source: SMUD: My Energy Optimizer Partner+ agreement, updated April 3, 2026. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Does selling the home automatically transfer participation?
The agreement describes move, eligible-owner transfer or termination routes. Request SMUD’s instructions and acceptance; a sale alone does not complete participation transfer.
Source: SMUD: My Energy Optimizer Partner+ agreement, updated April 3, 2026. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Which dates should I retain for an enrollment incentive?
SMUD’s current page requires enrollment within 90 days of permission to operate. Keep the interconnection submission date, PTO and completed enrollment separately; those are different milestones. Confirm the applicable incentive cohort in writing.
Source: SMUD: homeowner battery program and current incentive notice. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Can I still rely on an older higher-incentive quotation?
The current page distinguishes interconnection submissions by September 22 from submissions on or after September 23, with a December 31, 2026 enrollment condition for the earlier cohort. Request current terms rather than assuming an old quotation qualifies.
Source: SMUD: homeowner battery program and current incentive notice. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Does every eligible battery receive quarterly incentives?
No. SMUD currently limits ongoing quarterly incentives to Tesla batteries; other qualifying manufacturers may receive enrollment incentives only. Verify the exact model and payment type with SMUD.
Source: SMUD: homeowner battery program and current incentive notice. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Can a legacy NEM customer add storage without taking this incentive?
SMUD’s rate FAQ distinguishes adding storage while remaining on NEM from transitioning to SSR to participate in Partner+ incentives. Ask how your proposed equipment change and incentive choice affect your account; do not apply one route universally.
Source: SMUD: Solar and Storage Rate; reviewed October 6, 2026. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
What can a technical assessment contribute before enrollment?
It can document observations, installed equipment and unanswered scope questions. It cannot sign the agreement, determine eligibility, alter dispatch permissions or guarantee payment. Confirm qualifications, conflicts and homeowner availability before commissioning work.
Your decision checklist
- Verify the electric account, equipment owner and authority to enroll.
- Retain the actual model and current eligibility response.
- Keep submission, operating permission and enrollment dates separate.
- Request the applicable incentive cohort and payment type in writing.
- Understand control permissions and required connectivity before signing.
- Check the effect on your current utility rate.
- Keep the signed effective date, term and exit procedure.
- Plan a home-sale or move handover with the utility and equipment owner.
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Continue your research
Prepare a battery participation record
| Record | Evidence to retain |
|---|---|
| Authority | Customer of record, equipment owner and permission to enroll |
| Equipment | Exact model, provider and written program eligibility |
| Dates | Interconnection submission, PTO, enrollment and agreement effective date |
| Payments | Applicable cohort, enrollment versus recurring incentive and written conditions |
| Control | Affected equipment, dispatch permissions, connectivity and support contact |
| Exit/handover | Current term, written exit instructions and move or transfer confirmation |
Example: a proposal includes an enrollment incentive and a recurring payment as one reduction in equipment cost. Request separate payment descriptions, conditions and dates. Leave an unconfirmed payment out of a confirmed-cost column; retain the seller’s original representation and the utility’s response. This organizer is not an eligibility decision.
Example: a buyer receives a battery app login but no signed participation record. Ask the seller and utility which program documents and owner-authorized steps remain. Equipment access, installation permission and program participation answer different questions. Do not accept terms or change operating settings simply to investigate the status.
This guide concerns SMUD’s My Energy Optimizer Partner+ program, not every battery owner or California utility. It is distinct from the City of Sacramento permit and SMUD interconnection guide. The current program page carries a September incentive change notice; the linked agreement PDF is dated April 3, 2026 and still prints older incentive values. Do not copy those values into a current budget. Obtain the actual agreement and written SMUD clarification when documents differ, including notice or repayment provisions. Reviewed October 6, 2026. We do not quote an award, enroll anyone, change permissions or decide legal obligations. These original worksheets and examples are editorial planning aids. A reserve percentage or program description does not establish how long your home can run during an outage; have a qualified provider explain your installed configuration and loads. Do not open equipment, change dispatch settings or perform electrical tests. Continue with battery and backup questions, solar home-sale records and bill measurement checks. Explore Solar Survey AI’s evidence methodology and confirm available inspection scope. Homeowner provider connections and planned free remote diagnosis remain coming soon.
About these guides
Published by Solar Survey AI, a commercial survey-services company. Our original decision checklists are recommendations; linked authorities support the referenced facts. We may benefit if you purchase our services. This is not independent certification of our company, a project-specific engineering decision or personal tax/legal advice. Local rules, contracts and site evidence control individual decisions. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
For available survey or inspection services, confirm your project scope and availability with our team. Our planned free homeowner remote diagnosis remains coming soon.
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