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The Eaton Fire has had a devastating impact on our community, affecting countless families and homes. The road to recovery may seem overwhelming, but our shared spirit of resilience shines brightly. As we unite to rebuild our lives and support each other, it’s essential to explore the resources available to aid in this journey. This post will highlight crucial support options for homeowners impacted by the fire, share how our community is banding together, and discuss actionable steps for a brighter future.
Here are some resources related to solar and energy storage systems that we want to share.
Systems Lost in the Fire
Net Metering with Southern California Edison (SCE)
If you had installed a system that was grandfathered into the NEM 2.0 net metering program with SCE, and plan to rebuild and install a new solar energy system, you may want to maintain that status. To do that, here are two things you need to do:
Notify: Let SCE know if you intend to rebuild within 2 years from the date of the January Windstorm event. Complete this Disaster Support Form by January 7, 2027, indicating your intent, timing to rebuild your NEM system, and the rate you were on.
Apply: Complete your NEM system rebuild, submit a new NEM application, and receive a Permission-to-Operate by January 7, 2029.
According to California Solar & Energy Storage Association, "If a fire was the subject of a state of emergency proclamation, customers who lost systems that were under NEM1 or NEM2 can replace the systems under the same tariff for the remainder of the original 20 year term. The replacement can be sized to customer load from the past 12 months, so it can be bigger than the original system, though the 1 MW size cap in NEM1 continues to apply.
The interconnection application for the replacement system must be in the same name as the customer that had the previous interconnection agreement. If the property is sold and rebuilt by someone else, this NEM eligibility provision does not apply.
Customers must install the replacement solar system within four years of the fire. SCE may request proof that the original system was destroyed.
For more information and documentation, see Special Condition 9 (Natural Disaster) in the SCE NEM-ST tariff and Special Condition 12 of the NEM tariff."
Additional resources:
Home Insurance Coverage for Solar and Energy Storage System
Solar and energy storage system is part of an insured home. Standard homeowners insurance policies typically cover fire and smoke damage, including from wildfires. This means that if your solar panels or battery storage system were damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire, your policy would likely cover the loss.
Contact Your Insurance Provider: Reach out to your insurance company to file a claim and confirm coverage details for your solar and energy storage systems.
Document the Damage: Gather any documentation, such as installation contracts, photos, and receipts, to support your claim.
Consult with Your Solar Provider: If you need assistance with documentation or understanding your system's value, your solar provider can be a valuable resource.
Is Solar and Energy Storage Required in the Rebuilding Plan?
Yes, under California's Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system is generally required when rebuilding a home after the Eaton Fire.If your rebuild is classified as new construction—meaning the home is being reconstructed from the ground up—it must comply with the current Title 24 standards. This includes the installation of a solar PV system sized to offset the home's annual electrical usage.
⚠️ Exceptions
There are specific exceptions where the solar requirement may not apply:
Limited Solar Access: If the roof has insufficient solar access due to shading or other obstructions.
Small Roof Area: If the available roof area is too small to accommodate a solar system.
Community Solar Programs: Participation in an approved community solar program
Also note that after the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, the legislature passed a bill exempting rebuilds related to that fire from the solar requirement. A similar proposal will likely be considered for the Eaton Fire.
Why including Solar and Energy Storage is a Good Idea Anyway?
1. Comply with California Building Code
New construction must meet California Title 24 standards, which often require rooftop solar.
Adding solar now avoids costly retrofits later.
2. Resilience Against Future Outages
Energy storage (like Enphase or Briggs & Stratton batteries) keeps your home powered during grid outages.
Helps maintain lights, refrigeration, communications, and medical devices—especially critical in wildfire-prone areas.
3. Lower Long-Term Energy Costs
Lock in lower electricity bills and reduce dependence on utility rate increases.
Batteries let you store energy for use at night or during peak hours.
4. Build It Right the First Time
Easier and more cost-effective to integrate solar + storage during construction vs. retrofitting later.
Conduit, roof layout, panel placement, and main panel upgrades can be optimized upfront.
5. Access Rebates & Incentives
May qualify for California Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) , Sun Storage Rebate (Clean Power Alliance) and 30% federal tax credit (ITC).
Insurance settlements may allow you to reinvest in upgraded, fire-resilient energy systems.
6. Contribute to a Cleaner, More Sustainable Future
Rebuilding with solar reduces your carbon footprint and supports California’s climate goals.
Increases home value and appeal to future buyers.
7. Peace of Mind
Gain energy independence.
Avoid the emotional and financial stress of losing power during a crisis
How is the loss of a leased or PPA solar system handled in the event of a disaster?
If your system was leased or installed under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), you do not own the equipment. That means the process for addressing system loss after a disaster may be different from that of a homeowner who financed and owns their system outright. Ownership remains with the provider, and they may have their own insurance, responsibilities, or requirements when it comes to replacement, repairs, or contract adjustments.
1. Notify the Leasing or PPA Provider
Contact the solar company that holds your lease or PPA contract to report the loss of the system.
Even if your system provider has changed ownership or gone through bankruptcy, another company may now be servicing your contract — check your monthly billing statement or past communications for contact details.
Ask them to confirm:
Whether they hold the insurance on the system
If payments can be paused while the home is uninhabitable
Whether the system will be reinstalled after you rebuild
2. Review Your Contract
Look for sections that cover “Force Majeure,” “System Damage,” or “Loss Due to Natural Disaster.”
Some agreements may waive early termination fees if the system is destroyed in an event like a wildfire.
Others may still require monthly payments unless you actively negotiate a pause or termination.
3. Contact Your Homeowners Insurance
Your insurer may cover associated property damage (e.g., roof, wiring), even if the solar equipment itself is owned by a third party.
If the system was added to your policy as a listed structure, you may be able to recover its value — especially for battery storage units that were installed as part of your electrical system.
Provide documentation such as:
Photos of the original installation
Your solar contract
Fire loss report
4. Document and Save Everything
Keep copies of:
All communication with the leasing/PPA company
Insurance claim correspondence
Rebuild plans and timelines
This will help with future negotiations or disputes.
5. When You're Ready to Rebuild
Reach out to the solar provider to determine your options:
Will they reinstall the system at no cost?
Will you be expected to resume payments immediately after rebuild?
Can you upgrade to a newer system or battery storage during reconstruction?
Systems Still Standing after the Fire
What are the things to watch out for?
Production Drops: Solar panel efficiency can decline by up to 30-50% during wildfire events due to ash and soot buildup and smoke clouds that block sunlight. These reductions can last weeks without effective cleaning.
Increased Energy Demand: Households often experience a 20-30% spike in electricity usage during wildfire events due to higher air conditioning and air filtration needs.
Battery Filter and Surface Maintenance: Battery storage systems are also affected by wildfire conditions. Filters can become clogged with particulate matter, and external surfaces can accumulate ash and soot, reducing system efficiency. Inspect and replace filters as needed. Smoke and ash buildup can reduce the cooling efficiency of battery systems, leading to potential performance issues.
Risk of Electrical Damage: Prolonged exposure to ash, soot, or moisture from firefighting efforts can lead to potential electrical damage to solar panels or battery systems.
Solar Panel Cleaning: using soft brushes or low-pressure water to avoid damaging panel surfaces. Regular cleaning during and after wildfire events is essential to restore efficiency.
