Southern California Edison (SCE): generator, battery backup & CPAP rules
Service area: Orange County, Inland Empire, Ventura, Santa Barbara and much of Los Angeles County outside the city of Los Angeles
Meter collar transfer switches
Accepted
Allowed through SCE's Meter Socket Adapter (MSA) Program for devices on its approved product list, which includes the Tesla Backup Switch (recent part numbers only), ConnectDER and Enphase products. Limited to residential self-contained meters, single-phase 120/240 V, panels up to 200 A. You enroll and pay a site-visit fee online, and SCE meter technicians do the installation.
Generator and battery disconnect requirements
SCE requires a visible, lockable AC disconnect for some interconnected generating systems, and may accept meter removal as the disconnect for self-contained meters in some configurations. Confirm requirements for your system with SCE's interconnection team.
Gas meter upgrades for standby generators
Gas utility: Southern California Gas (SoCalGas)
No published fee. SoCalGas accepts residential 'meter upsize' applications when new gas appliances are added; secure permits first and list each appliance's BTU load. Ask SoCalGas for a quote.
Estimate your gas load with our gas meter calculator and read how gas meter sizing works.
Medical program for CPAP, BiPAP and oxygen users
- Program
- Medical Baseline Allowance
- What it provides
- An extra 16.5 kWh per day (about 500 kWh per month) at the lowest baseline price. Customers on plans without a baseline, such as time-of-use plans, get an 11% discount instead. Not income-based.
- CPAP / BiPAP
- SCE lists apnea monitors / CPAP among qualifying devices when a medical practitioner certifies the need.
- Renewal
- Permanent conditions: self-certify every 4 years. Non-permanent conditions: medical certification every 2 years.
Backup battery or generator programs
- Program
- Critical Care Backup Battery (CCBB) Program
- What it provides
- A free portable backup battery with a solar panel kit, delivered and set up by SCE's contractor (not a cash rebate). Separately, SCE Marketplace rebates are offered on some portable power stations and portable generators in high fire-risk areas.
- Eligibility
- Lives in a high fire-risk area, enrolled in Medical Baseline, and relies on electric medical equipment; some SCE materials also require CARE or FERA enrollment. First come, first served while funding lasts.
Frequently asked questions
Does SCE allow meter collar transfer switches like the Tesla Backup Switch?
Accepted. Allowed through SCE's Meter Socket Adapter (MSA) Program for devices on its approved product list, which includes the Tesla Backup Switch (recent part numbers only), ConnectDER and Enphase products. Limited to residential self-contained meters, single-phase 120/240 V, panels up to 200 A. You enroll and pay a site-visit fee online, and SCE meter technicians do the installation.
Does SCE have a program for customers who use a CPAP or other medical equipment?
Medical Baseline Allowance: An extra 16.5 kWh per day (about 500 kWh per month) at the lowest baseline price. Customers on plans without a baseline, such as time-of-use plans, get an 11% discount instead. Not income-based. SCE lists apnea monitors / CPAP among qualifying devices when a medical practitioner certifies the need.
Does SCE offer backup batteries or generator rebates for medical customers?
Critical Care Backup Battery (CCBB) Program: A free portable backup battery with a solar panel kit, delivered and set up by SCE's contractor (not a cash rebate). Separately, SCE Marketplace rebates are offered on some portable power stations and portable generators in high fire-risk areas. Eligibility: Lives in a high fire-risk area, enrolled in Medical Baseline, and relies on electric medical equipment; some SCE materials also require CARE or FERA enrollment. First come, first served while funding lasts.
How do I get a bigger gas meter for a standby generator in the SCE area?
Southern California Gas (SoCalGas): No published fee. SoCalGas accepts residential 'meter upsize' applications when new gas appliances are added; secure permits first and list each appliance's BTU load. Ask SoCalGas for a quote.