California Choice Energy Authority (CalChoice) has developed a new Power Choice program to help its member Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) offer affordable and renewable energy solutions to California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) customers. Through this program, eligible customers can receive solar panels and battery systems at no upfront cost, leveraging the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP). Customers will receive a significantly discounted rate when compared to non-CARE Power Choice customers. This initiative aims to make clean energy more accessible and affordable for underserved communities across California.
“By helping our associate members provide solar and battery systems to CARE customers, we are empowering more communities with the tools they need for a resilient and sustainable future,” said CalChoice interim Chief Executive Officer Rob Johnson. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of income, can benefit from renewable energy and lower their energy bills.”
The Power Choice program is administered in alignment with SGIP and includes assistance with enrollment, technical support, and funding access for related upgrades. As a condition of SGIP participation, the CPUC requires that customers also enroll in an approved Demand Response (DR) program for a minimum of five years. CalChoice is developing several flexible demand response options that CCAs can offer:
- Automatic Demand Response: This program offers customers with energy storage systems, such as Tesla Powerwalls, an incentive to automatically use stored energy during “called grid events” while maintaining a minimum charge for resilience.
- Behavioral Demand Response: Customers can reduce their energy consumption and earn bill credits during high-demand times with this program by simply adjusting their appliance use and air conditioning when there is a critical peak event, helping to lower overall grid demand.
- Critical Peak Pricing (CPP): Through the CPP rate program, customers with distributed energy resources, such as smart thermostats and EV chargers, will receive lower rates in exchange for reduced usage during non-event days in the summer months, and will receive a load adder rate for any energy used during “called events”.
“This move represents a significant step forward in CalChoice’s mission to promote equity in California’s energy landscape,” continued Rob. “The Power Choice program is about more than just energy savings — it’s about building a future where everyone can contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable state.”
Funding for these programs is available now for CCAs and their CARE customers.
About CalChoice
CalChoice is a California Joint Powers Authority (“JPA”) that provides Community Choice Aggregation (“CCA”) support services, which include energy portfolio management, power procurement and trading, settlements and invoice validations, regulatory compliance, regulatory advocacy, financial and accounting, and rate-setting support functions. Current operational CalChoice members include Lancaster Choice Energy, Apple Valley Choice Energy, Pico Rivera Innovative Municipal Energy, San Jacinto Power, the Rancho Mirage Energy Authority, Pomona Choice Energy, Santa Barbara Clean Energy and Energy for Palmdale’s Independent Choice. By joining together, CalChoice members are able to cut costs through economies of scale. Learn More at californiachoiceenergyauthority.com
