Solar Marketing · Sacramento, CA

Solar Marketing in Sacramento

SMUD, the community-owned utility serving Sacramento County, writes its own solar rules, so installers here cannot simply reuse messaging built for the rest of California. We help solar and battery companies generate qualified inquiries with pages that explain SMUD's Solar and Storage Rate in plain language, campaigns aimed at owners with suitable roofs, and follow-up that keeps teaching through a purchase many families weigh for weeks.

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Sacramento context

SMUD's rules, sunny summers and owner households

A utility outside the CPUC

SMUD says that as a community-owned, not-for-profit electric service it is not governed by the California Public Utilities Commission; its own board sets rates. Systems approved since March 1, 2022 go on the Solar and Storage Rate, which credits exports at one rate whatever the hour or season, while older net metering customers can stay put through 2030. Anyone buying a house that already has panels moves to the newer rate.

What SMUD asks of installers

SMUD requires a building permit for every installation, charges a one-time interconnection fee on new systems, and caps system size at 110 percent of the past year's usage, or 120 percent when a battery is added. It offers battery incentives but no solar rebates, and tells homeowners to hire a contractor holding a C-10 or C-46 license. Accurate pages on these points answer questions buyers would otherwise take to online forums.

Sun, peak hours and owners

The Sacramento station recorded 31 fair days out of 31 in July 2026, with an average high of 93.5 degrees, and SMUD's peak period runs from 5 to 8 p.m., which is why the utility encourages pairing panels with batteries. Owners live in 59.0 percent of occupied homes in Sacramento County and 51.7 percent in the city, so owner-focused targeting keeps money away from renters who cannot sign a contract.

Solar sales hurdles here

Rate confusion

Homeowners hear statewide news about net metering that does not apply to SMUD customers. Explaining SMUD's own rate in plain English is what earns the appointment.

Battery questions

With a 5 to 8 p.m. peak and SMUD battery incentives available, buyers raise storage early. Pages and proposals should address it from the start.

Weeks of comparison

Solar is a large purchase researched over many evenings. Follow-up that teaches rather than pressures keeps your proposal on the kitchen table.

Core services

Solar lead services

Website Design & SEO

Pages explaining SMUD's Solar and Storage Rate, sizing limits and interconnection steps, battery and EV charger pages, local project galleries and your C-46 or C-10 license.

Website Design & SEO in Sacramento →

Media

Google and Meta ads for property owners whose roofs suit panels, with one message for SMUD territory and another for households served by neighboring utilities.

Media in Sacramento →

Lead Generation

Savings estimate and roof review forms that ask about the utility, ownership, roof direction and recent bills before a consultation is booked.

Lead Generation in Sacramento →

CRM Solutions

Consultation scheduling, proposal follow-up, permit and permission-to-operate status updates, and referral requests once the system starts producing.

CRM Solutions in Sacramento →

Areas we serve

Plain answers about SMUD's solar rules can put installers in front of owners in these communities:

Downtown Sacramento
Midtown
East Sacramento
Natomas
Roseville
Folsom
Elk Grove
Rancho Cordova
Davis
Citrus Heights

Questions and answers

No. SMUD states that it is not governed by the California Public Utilities Commission and that proposed CPUC changes would not affect its rates. Its customers approved since March 1, 2022 are on SMUD's Solar and Storage Rate, so marketing should match the rules for each address rather than repeating statewide headlines.

SMUD advises homeowners to choose a contractor with a C-10 electrician's license or a C-46 solar license and suggests NABCEP certification. Whichever you hold, the CSLB expects the license number on your website, ads and proposals.

Up to 110 percent of the past 12 months of electricity use, or up to 120 percent on the Solar and Storage Rate when a battery is added. Building that cap into your savings estimator keeps proposals realistic and avoids interconnection surprises.

No. SMUD says it does not offer rebates for solar installations, though battery storage incentives are available. Promotions should rest on bill savings, battery incentives and tax information confirmed with a tax advisor, not on rebates that do not exist.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-31.