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A resident on an apartment balcony with a balcony solar panel, checking her energy on her phone

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Your Energy

I’m a Property Owner Raise property value and attract better tenants. I’m a Renter Lower your bills and take control of your energy.
Resident using solar energy in an apartment

Apartment energy data for better building decisions

Civic Energy translates smart home and utility data from apartment buildings into two connected tools: a simple home interface for residents and a building intelligence layer for owners, utilities, and policymakers.

Renters get clearer energy feedback without another dashboard. Landlords and property managers get building performance signals that guide operations, retrofits, and tenant value.

Energy upgrades for apartment buildings

Clean-energy upgrades need to work for the whole building. Civic Energy helps renters understand comfort, savings, and resilience while giving property owners clearer data for operations, retrofit planning, tenant value, utility coordination, and policy decisions.

For renters

Residents get lower bills, more control, clearer feedback, and a better way to compare apartments based on comfort, resilience, and energy performance.

For property infrastructure

Owners, developers, and property managers can identify where solar, storage, controls, and monitoring improve operations, tenant demand, retrofit planning, and long-term building value.

For utilities and policy

Utilities and policymakers can use aggregated building patterns to understand peak demand, distributed energy potential, incentive gaps, and housing energy standards.

Solar, storage, and monitoring made practical

Apartment-ready solar, storage, controls, and monitoring help residents reduce bills while giving landlords a clearer path to better operations, resilience, and building value.

Balcony and rooftop solar panels

Solar access

Rooftop, balcony, window, and shared building solar help apartments participate in clean generation.

Home battery storage system

Battery storage

Storage supports peak-load management, resilience, backup power, and better use of distributed generation.

Nest smart thermostat

Home energy controls

Nest-style sensing and subtle product feedback create a foundation for low-friction awareness, savings, and comfort.

Real-time energy tracking

An intuitive experience helps renters see consumption, understand savings, and make better energy decisions in real time.

Google Nest energy dashboard

From home data to building decisions

Civic Energy turns apartment-level data into building intelligence, then into decisions about operations, incentives, retrofits, and policy.

Resident checks home energy use

1. Read home energy use

Smart home and utility signals reveal usage, timing, comfort, and energy stress across individual apartments.

Energy savings dashboard

2. Compare units across the building

Patterns across units show where demand spikes, where equipment wastes energy, and where upgrades matter most.

Residents share building energy benefits

3. Guide building and policy decisions

Credible insight can support utility planning, owner investment, energy standards, and incentive design.

Google offsite store

Try the apartment clean-energy setup in person

The Civic Energy offsite store turns solar, storage, Nest-style controls, and monitoring into a walk-through apartment experience. Visitors can test resident-facing feedback and building-level energy insights before choosing a home or planning a retrofit.

Google Civic Energy offsite store exterior

Street-level access

Google offsite store showroom with Civic Energy apartment demos

Apartment-scale demos

Visitors learning about solar and battery technology in the Civic Energy store

Guided walkthroughs

Visitors testing a Civic Energy monitor inside the Google offsite store

Hands-on controls

Balcony solar demonstration inside the Google Civic Energy store

Solar in context

Wide interior view of Google Civic Energy offsite store

From product to system

Visit the store
Find apartments

Compare buildings by energy features

Browse San Francisco apartments with visible building energy features. The apartment finder helps renters compare solar access, storage, monitoring, green score, estimated savings, comfort, and resilience.

Browse apartments
Apartment building with rooftop solar
Solar-ready buildingClean power and tenant-facing savings.
Building battery storage
Storage + resilienceSupport for peak hours, outages, and shared loads.

How It Works

Two ways to bring Civic Energy into apartment living.

Portable Solar

Movable solar for renters and residents who want savings, backup power, and simple everyday use.

A renter checks a home-energy dashboard inside a San Francisco Victorian apartment

Step 1

See your energy use

Civic Energy Monitor reads real-time electricity use and sends it to the Google Nest energy dashboard.

Portable solar panels charging on a sunny Castro apartment balcony

Step 2

Charge with sunlight

Place your portable solar where it can receive sunlight and store energy for later use.

A portable battery powers a laptop and lamp inside a San Francisco loft

Step 3

Plug in directly

Connect your electrical appliances, devices, or gadgets directly to use stored solar power.

A resident tracks home-energy savings in a sunny Noe Valley apartment

Step 4

Track what you save

View battery level, energy produced, estimated savings, and reduced grid use.

Portable solar is best for movable use, backup power, and selected energy needs. Plug-in balcony solar depends on local rules and safety standards.

Examples of Portable Solar

Different ways renters and residents can access solar without a full building installation.

A renter and building manager discuss safe plug-in solar at a San Francisco apartment

Senate Bill 868 (SB 868) Plug-In Solar

California policy pathway for portable solar generation devices.

A balcony solar kit overlooks San Francisco's Sunset District

Balcony Solar Kit

Panels designed for balcony or patio use where local rules allow.

A portable folding solar panel charges on a Hayes Valley patio

Portable Solar Panel

Movable solar panel that can be placed near sunlight and used with a power unit.

A compact solar power station provides backup electricity in a San Francisco studio

Solar Power Station

Portable battery system that stores solar energy for later use.

A slim window-mounted solar panel faces Coit Tower in North Beach

Window-Mounted Solar

Compact solar option designed for apartment windows or sunny indoor edges.

A foldable solar charger powers a phone on a Marina rooftop terrace

Foldable Solar Charger

Lightweight solar option for flexible charging and backup use.

Examples are for prototype testing. Availability, safety rules, and installation requirements may vary.

Installation Solar

Professionally installed solar for apartment owners, facility managers, and building-wide energy savings.

Professional installers place rooftop solar on a colorful Potrero Hill apartment building

Step 1

Install building solar

Solar is installed on the roof, windows, facade, or approved building surface.

An electrician connects a solar inverter in a San Francisco apartment utility room

Step 2

Connect to the building

The system connects to an inverter, electrical panel, meter, or approved energy infrastructure.

Rooftop panels supply solar power to a Glen Park apartment building

Step 3

Use solar first

The building uses available solar power, while Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) or grid electricity fills the gap automatically.

A property manager and resident review solar performance in an Excelsior apartment lobby

Step 4

Track usage and savings

Civic Energy Monitor sends real-time electricity use to the Google Nest energy dashboard.

Residents discuss shared clean-energy benefits in an Outer Sunset common room

Step 5

Share the benefits

Owners see building value and energy performance. Renters see savings, usage insights, and cleaner apartment living.

Users do not manually switch between solar and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). The system uses solar when available and pulls from the grid when needed.

Examples of Installation Solar

Building-level systems that require professional setup.

Solar panels integrated into the rooftop of a classic San Francisco apartment building

Rooftop Solar

Solar panels installed on the building roof.

Solar glazing integrated into a contemporary San Francisco apartment facade

Window Solar

Solar glass or window-based systems that generate energy from building windows.

Building-integrated solar covers a modern residential facade in SoMa

Facade Solar

Solar integrated into exterior building surfaces.

Building battery storage is installed in a secure San Francisco apartment garage

Building Battery Storage

Stores solar or grid energy for later use, peak hours, or outages.

Smart meters and solar equipment serve a San Francisco multifamily building

Meter-Connected Solar

Solar connected to the building meter and electrical system.

Residents gather beneath shared solar panels on a San Francisco rooftop terrace

Shared Building Solar

Solar that supports common areas, shared loads, or tenant energy credits.

Lower bills.
More leverage.
A better ask.

Lower the total cost of apartment living in San Francisco.

Check what my home could improve Prepare a landlord request
Start with a quick check

What is making your home costlier or less comfortable?

San Francisco renter checking a drafty bay window and older heating equipment while taking notes
Start with what you can observe: bills, drafts, comfort, and aging equipment.

What are you experiencing?

Your smallest first step Choose one or more concerns to see what information to gather and what to discuss with the property team.
  1. 1Notice the problem in your unit or building.
  2. 2Gather a few details about bills, equipment, and who pays.
  3. 3Prepare the conversation before sending a request.
Quick statistics

Numbers that strengthen your case

Use these renter-friendly proof points when inviting an owner to explore solar, weatherization, electrification, or financing.

San Francisco renter reviewing energy bills and financing information in an efficient apartment with rooftop solar visible outside
Connect lower bills, lower energy use, and available financing to one documented building conversation.
$70/mo reported monthly bill savings for one resident after a Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) multifamily retrofit.1
40% average energy-use reduction reported for participating Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) multifamily properties.1
100% of eligible project costs can be financed through GoGreen Multifamily for qualifying affordable and market-rate properties.2
30% of GoGreen Multifamily financing may support non-energy upgrades when bundled with qualifying energy improvements.2
Resident outcomes

What could improve in your home

Start with the outcome you need. The right equipment or building improvement comes next.

Solar panels installed on an apartment balcony railing savings

Lower monthly bills

Reduce wasted energy and explore cleaner power that may lower household or common-area costs.

Nest smart thermostat mounted on a living room wall health_and_safety

A healthier, more comfortable home

Address drafts, extreme temperatures, indoor air concerns, and inefficient heating or cooling.

Home battery storage unit installed near an apartment entryway battery_charging_full

Protection during outages and heat

Keep essential devices running and make the building safer during extreme weather or grid interruptions.

Energy monitor display showing real-time household usage groups

More influence in your building

Bring neighbors, evidence, policy, and a clear next step into the same landlord conversation.

Resident perspectives

A practical path residents can believe in

Civic Energy turns complicated building decisions into concrete next steps, credible resources, and resident-centered safeguards.

Family seated together in their living room
“I did not need to become an energy expert. The checkup helped turn high bills and drafty rooms into a short list of facts a property manager could actually evaluate.”
Mission District Renter
Couple overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge from the San Francisco coast
“The most useful part was having a first step: review the equipment, check incentives, and set a response date. That made a building upgrade feel possible.”
Outer Sunset Renter
Confident older resident smiling with a laptop in her sunlit living room
“Seeing the rebate and policy sources in one place made the project feel real. We could bring our HOA a documented proposal instead of a vague idea.”
Richmond District Resident

Illustrative testimonials based on common Bay Area renter goals. Stock photography does not depict actual Civic Energy participants or imply endorsement.

Landlord conversation toolkit

Prepare Your Building Conversation

Prepare before you send a message: identify the decision-maker, gather the facts you have, bring a few practical questions, and propose one achievable next step.

Renters and a property manager reviewing a documented San Francisco building energy proposal together
Bring the decision-maker, evidence, public support, and resident benefits into the same conversation.
person_search

Find the decision-maker

Confirm whether the landlord, property manager, homeowners association (HOA), or another party controls the equipment and can approve an assessment or improvement.

shield

Protect the asset

Frame solar, insulation, efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and appliance upgrades as ways to make the building more durable, comfortable, and marketable.

savings

Bring public money to the table

Check whether the owner has reviewed High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA) rebates, the Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP), Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH), GoGreen Multifamily, utility rebates, and local technical assistance.

groups

Show shared benefits

Solar and energy retrofits can lower common-area costs, improve resilience, reduce tenant complaints, and make the property future-ready.

Build a specific request

Turn your concern into a clear next step

Use what you gathered above to request one action, a response timeline, and clear benefits for residents.

Improvements worth exploringScroll for more

Message preview

Check program eligibility and bill status before sending.
HOA coordination path

Bring an energy proposal to your HOA

If a homeowners association controls the exterior, electrical work, or shared property, approach the board with a documented proposal and a practical path to approval.

1

Understand the rule

Identify the restriction, then review the bylaws, architectural standards, insurance requirements, and approval process.

2

Build the proposal

Prepare safety and installation documents, estimated costs, available incentives, and benefits for residents and the property.

3

Build support

Find supportive neighbors, create a shared statement or petition, and request placement on a board agenda.

4

Track and adapt

Record the board's response, commitments, and deadlines. If the first proposal is rejected, identify what revision or alternative could qualify.

California State Capitol, where state clean-energy legislation is considered
Policy language

Bring legislation and public programs into the conversation

These are the links renters can send so the conversation is grounded in existing rules, official programs, or active policy signals.

Current requirement monitoring

Building energy benchmarking

expand_more

California requires owners of commercial and multifamily buildings over 50,000 square feet to report annual energy use. Multifamily buildings with 17+ utility accounts report by June 1.

California Energy Commission (CEC) benchmarking
Current law ev_station

Civil Code 1947.6

expand_more

California law gives qualifying tenants a pathway to request EV charging in an allotted parking space, showing that rental housing already has clean-infrastructure access rules.

Civil Code section
Current code heat_pump

2025 Energy Code

expand_more

California's 2025 Energy Code applies to permit applications on or after January 1, 2026, and keeps pushing buildings toward efficiency, heat pumps, solar, storage, and demand flexibility.

2025 code summary
Proposed legislation solar_power

Senate Bill 868 (SB 868) plug-in solar

expand_more

Senate Bill 868 (SB 868) is a renter-access solar signal, not settled law. It points toward rules for small portable solar devices up to 1,200 watts (W) that can connect through a receptacle.

Track Senate Bill 868 (SB 868)
Proposed legislation water_heater

Senate Bill 222 (SB 222) heat pump permitting

expand_more

Senate Bill 222 (SB 222) would make heat pump heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and heat pump water heater permitting more predictable, which helps owners plan replacements instead of waiting for emergency equipment failures.

Track Senate Bill 222 (SB 222)
Income-qualified renter program kitchen

PG&E free home upgrades

expand_more

PG&E's Energy Savings Assistance Program offers qualifying renters and homeowners no-cost efficiency improvements. Depending on the home assessment, support may include refrigerators, lighting, weatherization, furnaces, or heat pump water heaters. The home or apartment must generally be at least five years old, and income rules apply.

Check PG&E eligibility
Landlord or HOA rebate program apartment

BayREN multifamily rebates

expand_more

BayREN's Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancements (BAMBE) program provides no-cost technical assistance and rebates for qualifying Bay Area multifamily properties. Rebates start at $500 per unit and may support insulation, windows, heating and cooling, heat pump water heaters, electrification, and other in-unit or common-area upgrades. Funding must be reserved before work begins.

Share BayREN with the property team
Limited funding - verify first redeem

California HEEHRA appliance rebates

expand_more

California's High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA) program may provide income-qualified multifamily properties with rebates for heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electric cooking equipment, heat pump clothes dryers, wiring, and electrical panels. Funding and reservation status vary, so the property team should confirm availability and receive approval before starting work.

Review current HEEHRA status
Renter safeguard handshake

Non-displacement safeguard

expand_more

If public incentives are used, renters can request clarity on how tenants will benefit through lower bills, better cooling, healthier indoor air, EV access, solar credits, or resilience.

Add to message
wb_sunny

How Civic Energy Works
savings

Incentives for Renters

Solar energy options for renters

Renters have historically been locked out of solar. Without a roof to install on or a landlord willing to invest, going solar felt out of reach. New laws, new technology, and new programs are changing that.

Plug-in balcony solar panels mounted to a railing

Balcony solar panels

Balcony and portable solar can help renters access clean power where local rules, building safety, lease terms, and equipment standards allow. Senate Bill 868 (SB 868) is a policy signal to watch, not settled law.

500W–2kW output $500–2,500 cost Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) rebate eligible Senate Bill 868 (SB 868)
Sunlight passing through a large apartment window with a film coating

Window solar films

Developed by companies like NEXT Energy Technologies, transparent photovoltaic films can be applied directly to existing window glass, generating electricity while still letting in natural light. No drilling, no structural changes, no rooftop required.

Low profile No structural change Efficiency incentive eligible
Large community solar farm with rows of panels under a clear sky

Community solar subscription

Subscribe to a share of an off-site solar farm and receive a credit on your monthly electric bill based on the energy it produces. No installation, no equipment, and no roof access needed.

No installation needed Monthly subscription CA Community Solar program
Portable home battery storage unit on the floor near an outlet

Home battery storage

Portable battery units store solar energy, whether your own or from a community subscription, for use during evenings, peak pricing hours, or grid outages, giving renters reliable backup power.

$300–3,000 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) rebates available Grid-independent backup

Civic Energy apartments in San Francisco

Browse registered buildings across the city. Every listing includes the full system set.

Aerial view of San Francisco

Money back for going solar

From local utility discounts to federal tax credits, renters in San Francisco have more ways than ever to save money while reducing their carbon footprint.

San Francisco programs

request_quote

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) CARE/FERA program

Renters Income-qualified

Income-eligible households receive an automatic monthly discount of 20–35% through Pacific Gas and Electric's (PG&E) California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs.

solar_power

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) CleanPowerSF

Renters

Enroll through the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) CleanPowerSF program to source electricity from cleaner renewable generation at competitive rates.

support_agent

SF Renters Solar Access Program

Renters Income-qualified

A city-coordinated initiative that helps renters navigate landlord approvals, permitting, and installation for balcony and plug-in solar systems.

California-wide programs

account_balance

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Residential Clean Energy Credit

Claim a 30% federal tax credit on the cost of qualifying solar and battery storage equipment, including portable balcony solar systems.

redeem

California Solar Initiative

A state rebate program that lowers the upfront cost of qualifying solar installations for eligible households.

gavel

Senate Bill 868 (SB 868)

A policy-watch bill focused on renter-accessible plug-in solar. Confirm bill status before using it as part of a landlord request.

Incentive availability and amounts are subject to change. Consult a licensed energy advisor for personalized guidance.

Policy, simply explained

Tap any card to reveal the details. Short summary first, the full picture only when you want it.

Senate Bill 868 (SB 868)

Senate Bill 868 (SB 868) / Plug and Play Solar Act

A California bill to make small, portable plug-in solar devices easier to use safely.

expand_more

What it is: Senate Bill 868 (SB 868) sets clear safety standards and a legal pathway for plug-in balcony solar, the kind renters can use without a rooftop or major install.

Status: Policy watch. Confirm the latest official status before sending to a landlord.

Why it matters: It could open renter-friendly solar to millions of apartment residents who are locked out of rooftop systems today.

For renters

Why it matters for renters

A clearer path to lower bills without owning the building or the roof.

expand_more

What it is: Plug-in solar lets renters generate some of their own power from a balcony or window and take the panels with them when they move.

Status: Tied to Senate Bill 868 (SB 868) progress. Confirm the latest official status before sending to a landlord.

Why it matters: Lower electricity costs, more energy awareness, and a real solar option for people who rent.

For owners

Why it matters for apartment owners

Clearer rules make solar-ready buildings simpler to offer and market.

expand_more

What it is: Standardized safety rules reduce uncertainty around what tenants can install and how building-wide solar fits in.

Status: Policy watch. Confirm the latest official status before sending to a landlord.

Why it matters: Tenant demand, higher property value, and a modern, energy-efficient building that stands out.

Take action

How to support or track the bill

Follow its progress and add your voice in a few clicks.

expand_more

What it is: You can read the bill text, follow official updates, and join an advocacy campaign for plug-in solar.

Status: Policy watch. Confirm the latest official status before sending to a landlord.

Why it matters: Public support helps renter-friendly solar policy move forward.

More income.
Less overhead.

Zero install cost. Higher property value.
Tenants that stay longer.

Property manager standing in front of a modern apartment building exterior

Guaranteed ROI

trending_up

12–18%

property value increase

groups

3×

faster tenant placement

attach_money

$15,000+

available incentives

verified

LEED

certification eligible

Mission View Apartments — a solar-equipped San Francisco apartment building with a property owner reviewing energy data

Landlords are seeing it work

Property teams are turning clean-energy upgrades into lower overhead, stronger leasing stories, and amenities residents can actually see.

Property management team reviewing building upgrade plans around a conference table
Portfolio operator
Skyline Apartment Management Regional multifamily portfolio operator

"Civic Energy helped us turn sustainability from a vague goal into an owner-side value case. The strongest part was how simple it became to explain the upgrade to residents and investors."

Male apartment owner in a blazer standing near a city building
Building owner
Daniel Reyes Owner, 18-unit Mission District building

"I expected solar to feel like a construction headache. The assessment made the path clear: visible renter value, lower common-area costs, and a better story for lease renewals."

Female property operations lead smiling in a modern office
Operations lead
Maya Chen Facilities director, Westside apartment portfolio

"The resident response changed the conversation. People could see the amenity, understand the savings, and connect the building with comfort, resilience, and lower bills."

Durable energy technology for modern properties

We pair proven energy storage, controls, monitoring hardware, and durable solar products that help property teams lower overhead, improve comfort, and operate with clear energy data. Built as long-life, one-time upgrades for battery-backed energy management.

A Simple Path to Higher Property Value

Three steps to add a visible amenity, reduce overhead, and improve tenant retention.

You register

Enroll your building. We handle the planning and coordination.

We install

Solar, battery storage, and smart energy systems, at zero install cost.

Your building gains

Higher property value, lower bills, and tenants who stay longer.

Renter demand signal

14,200 active solar-housing searches this month
location_city
Mission
3,120
apartment
SoMa
2,640
beach_access
Sunset
2,180
festival
Castro
1,950
park
Richmond
1,640
landscape
Bernal Heights
1,330

Use this demand signal to position solar as a leasing advantage, not just an energy upgrade.

Register your building

Main Partner

GoogleNest

Tens of millions of homes already use Google Nest. Connecting balcony solar to that familiar dashboard gives owners a trusted amenity renters recognize and property teams can monitor.

Google offsite store

See the amenity before you invest.

Property owners can use the offsite store as a low-risk preview of the Civic Energy system. Walk through tenant-facing demos, compare retrofit packages, understand the Nest-style monitoring layer, and see how solar, storage, and energy visibility become a leasing advantage.

Google Civic Energy offsite store exterior for property owners
Bring decision-makersA real showroom for owners, managers, and residents to align around upgrades.
Google offsite store apartment demo showroom
Preview tenant valueSee how the amenity reads in a listing, tour, and resident onboarding.
Wide Google Civic Energy offsite store interior with apartment demos
Plan the system setCompare solar, batteries, monitoring, and controls before scoping a building.
Visit the store Estimate owner ROI

Proof Renters Want This

Balcony-mounted solar panels on a residential building in Germany

800,000+ in Germany

Plug-in balcony solar devices were registered by the end of 2024, with the actual market likely larger.

Balcony solar integrated into a multifamily building facade

Policy is backing adoption

California lets multifamily owners share onsite solar credits with tenants, while Utah created a legal path for portable solar devices that meet safety rules.

Sunny residential buildings on San Francisco's Potrero Hill

Move before it becomes standard

Owners who make solar visible early can capture demand and keep their property from falling behind.

Residents discussing plug-in balcony solar on a San Francisco apartment building

Add value to your building today.

Zero install cost. Higher property value. Tenants who stay longer.

Register your building

ROI Calculator

See your return on investment.

Adjust the details below to estimate your building's solar costs, incentives, savings, and payback period.

Build your estimate

Move the two sliders and watch the return numbers update together.

Estimated return

Portable solar keeps the first step flexible, visible, and easy to pilot.

$0

projected 10-year net gain

Forecast

How the current estimate breaks down.

Net cost after incentives $0
Annual savings $0
Payback period 0 years
Available incentives $0
Strong fit for assessment

Your building appears well positioned for a simple assessment and renter-facing energy upgrade.

  • 1

    Send apartment name, address, and unit count.

  • 2

    Confirm technology fit, incentive options, and installation pathway.

  • 3

    Turn the upgrade into a marketable amenity for renters.

Request for assessment today.

We are just an email or a call away.

(415) 555-0142 assessment@civicenergy.com

Starter email

Hi Civic Energy team,

My apartment / building name is: [Building name]
The property address is: [Address]
I am interested in an ROI assessment for portable solar.
The building has about [number] units.

Thank you,
[Your name]

Incentives & policy for landlords

Stack federal, state, and local programs to dramatically reduce the cost of going solar for your property.

Federal programs

savings

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Investment Tax Credit

Federal

Claim 30% of your total solar system cost as a direct credit against federal taxes owed.

Learn more →
trending_down

Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) Accelerated Depreciation

Federal

Use the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) to depreciate commercial solar assets over 5 years, lowering taxable income significantly in early years.

Learn more →
apartment

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 179D Deduction

Federal

The Internal Revenue Code Section 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings deduction rewards efficiency upgrades that pair well with solar and Nest systems.

Learn more →

California programs

battery_charging_full

Self-Generation Incentive Program

California

The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) provides rebates for installing battery storage alongside your solar system.

Learn more →
home_work

Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH)

California

Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) offers incentives for solar installations on qualifying affordable multifamily housing.

Learn more →
account_balance

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing

California

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing lets you repay solar costs through your property tax bill.

Learn more →

Policy signals landlords should track

California already requires qualifying large multifamily buildings to benchmark and report energy use, and the 2025 Energy Code continues the move toward efficient, electrified, solar-ready buildings. Senate Bill 868 (SB 868) is best treated as a policy watch item for renter-accessible plug-in solar rather than a settled owner mandate.

Landlords who plan early can benchmark performance, schedule replacements for aging gas equipment, compare rebates and financing, and avoid making rushed emergency upgrades that lock in higher operating costs.

Early adoption can also pay off commercially: efficient, resilient, solar-ready buildings are easier to market to renters who care about utility bills, heat waves, outages, indoor air, and climate impact.

Buildings that measure, plan, and share benefits with tenants will be better positioned than buildings that wait for the market and policy environment to force the conversation.
San Francisco green rentals

Find a building that works smarter.

Find San Francisco rentals with rooftop or balcony solar, battery storage, efficient electric systems, and other clean-energy features—then compare the listings that best match how you want to live.

Any price
Minimum$1,500
Maximum$5,000+
$1.5k$3.25k$5k+
Green & amenities

Sustainable technology

Everyday amenities

15 green buildings
Prototype listings with representative neighborhood photography.
Contact

Build energy-visible housing.

Connect with Civic Energy about apartment search support, building readiness, utility pilots, and policy partnerships. We help translate household energy data into practical decisions for residents, property teams, and public systems.

Property teams

Building readiness review

Portfolio review, retrofit priorities, tenant-facing benefits, incentives, and energy performance communication.

buildings@civicenergy.network Owner tools
Office

San Francisco team

General questions, research conversations, press, demos, and meeting requests. Response time is usually 1-2 business days.

(415) 555-0142 Mon-Fri, 9 AM-5 PM PT

Visit Civic Energy in San Francisco

Step inside a fully working solar-and-Nest apartment, talk to an energy advisor, and try the hardware yourself. No appointment necessary.

Civic Energy Exhibition · Google Store San Francisco
2 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Mon–Sat 10am–8pm · Sun 11am–6pm
(415) 555-0142

What to expect

Modern apartment living room set up as a working solar and Nest demo space

The full apartment setup

Walk through a real working Civic Energy apartment mock-up, from balcony panels to in-room energy displays.

Two people having a consultation at a retail counter

Meet your energy advisor

Book a 1:1 session with a Nest energy specialist to plan your building's transition.

Hands adjusting a smart thermostat on a wall

Try the Nest system

Get hands-on with the thermostat, energy monitor, and home battery before you decide.

Book a visit

Thanks! We'll confirm your visit by email.

Product showcase

Nest Thermostat mounted on a wall

Nest Thermostat

Learns your schedule and automatically adjusts to save energy.

Learn more →
Solar panel mounted on an apartment balcony railing

Balcony Solar Panel

Plug-in solar generation designed for renters and small spaces.

Learn more →
Home battery storage unit installed on a wall

Home Battery

Stores excess solar energy for use after sunset or during outages.

Learn more →
Digital energy monitor display showing usage data

Energy Monitor Display

Real-time visibility into your unit's energy generation and use.

Learn more →
Window with a thin transparent solar film applied

Window Solar Film

A transparent photovoltaic film that turns existing windows into power generators.

Learn more →