Energy & Electrification

Building energy and electricity usage from natural gas sources accounted for 32% of the City's total GHG emissions in 2016. To address this, the CAP Update includes pathways 3.3.2 Decarbonize Buildings and 3.3.3 Decarbonize Electric Supply to reduce building energy, new construction, and appliance -related GHG emissions by incentivizing clean energy options in the community.

Clean Energy Alliance

In 2018, the City created the first CCA in San Diego County, Solana Energy Alliance, now known as Clean Energy Alliance (CEA). Solana Beach residents and businesses were automatically moved to CEA’s 50% renewable energy and 75% carbon-free product. Customers have the option to opt-up to 100% renewable energy or opt-out and return to SDG&E. In 2023, the City opted-up all municipal accounts to the 100% renewable energy product.

Learn more here.

Understanding TOU Rates

The majority of residents are enrolled in the Time-of-Use (TOU) rate plans for electricity. This is because challenges arise in the late afternoon and evening when there is higher energy demand from residents and renewable resources become less available.

TOU rate plans are structured based on the amount of energy consumed and the timing of its usage in order to incentivize electricity use during times when renewable resources are more abundant. Customers on the TOU plan experience varying prices per kilowatt-hour throughout the day, with higher per-unit prices during designated "on-peak" periods (4-9 pm) compared to "off-peak" and "super off-peak" periods. Residents can benefit by shifting some of their electricity usage to "off-peak" and "super off-peak" periods. This not only helps in lowering overall electricity costs but also contributes to a cleaner energy grid sourced from renewable options. 

The adoption of TOU plans across the state of California aims to support a cleaner and more reliable power grid.

Current Electrification Incentives

Solar Plus Connect Program

Income-qualified households at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), including but not limited to CARE and FERA customers, may be eligible to have solar with battery storage installed at discounted rates and reduce their electricity bills by an estimated 55–65%. This program is administered by CEA.

No upfront cost

No credit check Subsidized by state funding.

Apply today to save your spot!

Battery Bonus Connect Program

Eligible homeowners can now receive a no-cost battery storage system through the Battery Bonus Connect program. This limited-time opportunity, funded by California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), is available for up to 300 income-eligible households on a first-come, first-served basis. This program is administered by CEA.

Key program benefits include a free battery system to pair with existing solar panels and energy savings by using stored power when rates are high.

Find out if you qualify for the Battery Bonus Connect program by learning more here. It is available to CEA residential customers who are at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, which varies by county and household size.

Federal Incentives

The federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) created programs to help pay for clean energy retrofits in homes across the U.S. The California Energy Commission (CEC) is launching three programs under the IRA: Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES), Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEEHRA), and Training for Residential Energy Contractors (CA-TREC).

The Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) will offer incentives between two programs: The CEC’s Equitable Building Decarbonization Direct Install Program, which provides no cost upgrades to low-income residents, and the statewide Pay for Performance Program, which will offer rebates based on actual measured energy savings to all California residents.

The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEEHRA) Phase I program was launched in early October of 2024 and provides rebates for both income-qualified multi-family properties and single-family homes through the TECH Clean California Initiative.

Learn more about CEC's programs here.

Incentive Search Tools

Did you know you can stack the benefits of federal and state incentives to minimize the cost of electrification? Use the following incentive locator tools to find specific statewide or regional programs:

The US EPA’s ENERGY STAR REBATE Finder

RMI’s Incentive Stacking Resources for Clean Buildings

The Switch Is On’s Customer Incentive Lookup