EBCE’s Community Solar Discount program
EBCE is developing a community solar discount program for income-qualifying customers
EBCE will soon offer a community solar discount program designed to improve access to renewable energy in disadvantaged communities. With community solar, the projects are off-site, but participants get the financial benefits of low-cost solar on their PG&E bill. The solar project(s) will be located in the East Bay and serve over 2,000 qualifying residential accounts.
Please check this page for updates or fill out an interest forms below to be contacted when the program is available; enrollment in this program has not yet started.
Residents
Participants in EBCE’s community solar discount program will receive a 20% discount on monthly electric bills, on top of CARE or FERA discounts.
Eligibility
Participants must be EBCE customers and:
Be eligible for either CARE or FERA – Eligibility is based on CPUC income guidelines here.
Live in a disadvantaged community, indicated by orange shading in the map below or according to the state’s CalEnviroScreen tool.
Note: a limited number of participation spots will be available for customers who live in a disadvantaged community but who do not qualify for CARE or FERA.
Enrollment
Enrollment for this program has not yet started. Please check this page for updates. In the meantime, you can complete this interest form to be contacted with updates about this program.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the benefits of participating in EBCE’s Community Solar Discount Program?
Participants receive a monthly 20% discount on the electricity portion of their PG&E bill. This is in addition to other discounts such as CARE, FERA, and Medical Baseline.
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When will the program begin?
EBCE is enrolling customers in two phases. The first phase will occur in September 2021, during which time approximately 2,000 eligible customers will be automatically enrolled. Phase 2 will occur in 2022, at which time eligible customers can voluntarily enroll.
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Who is eligible to participate in the program?
Participating customers must:
* Be on the CARE or FERA discount rate. Details are here.
* Live in a designated Disadvantaged Community as defined by the state’s CalEnviroScreen tool. Details are here.
* For Phase 2 of the program, live within 5 miles of the community solar project location (to be determined in early 2022). -
How do I sign up?
Some customers will be automatically enrolled by EBCE during Phase 1. During Phase 2 customers can voluntarily enroll by completing the form at https://ebce.org/community-solar/.
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When can I sign up?
EBCE expects Phase 2 of the program to open in mid-2022.
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Is there a limit to program enrollment?
Yes. The CPUC has allocated approximately 7.3 MW of solar capacity to EBCE under this program. When enrollment under the program reaches full capacity, enrollment in the program will be closed. Eligible customers will be able to join the program’s waitlist.
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What happens if I move?
Customers who move must re-apply to the program to recertify their eligibility. If the customer is found to still be eligible, EBCE will add the customer to the program if capacity allows or add them to the end of the program waitlist. EBCE will review the waitlist on a monthly basis and enroll additional customers as capacity allows.
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May I participate in EBCE’s Community Solar Discount program if I am not currently in the CARE or FERA program?
During the program enrollment process, if you are not already enrolled in CARE or FERA, we will provide you the opportunity to demonstrate eligibility for these programs. If we determine that you are eligible, you will be given the opportunity to request enrollment in the appropriate assistance program, in addition to your Community Solar Discount Program enrollment. Customers who fail a post-enrollment verification for the CARE or FERA program will be removed from the Community Solar Discount Program.
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What if I want to leave the program?
Customers may leave the program at any time. Cancellation of a customer’s participation will become effective on the next meter read date after a cancellation request is made; cancellations made within five (5) business days of the next meter read date may not be changed for an additional billing cycle. To unenroll, contact EBCE (https://ebce.org/contact-us/).
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How do I contact EBCE if I have additional questions?
The best way to reach EBCE is by calling our call center during business hours (9am - 5 pm) on weekdays at 1-833-699-EBCE (3223). We also offer live chat on our website during those hours.
Community-Based Organizations
Sponsor a project! EBCE needs Community-Based Organizations to serve as project sponsors!
Eligibility
All non-profits, local governments, or schools
Benefits to sponsor include
20% bill discount if you are located in a DAC that is within 5 miles of the project and are an EBCE customer
May subscribe to up to 25% of solar project output
Potential to receive Marketing, Education & Outreach funds to educate and recruit subscribers
Sponsor’s role
Help project developers and the community come together.
Identify community-suggested project sites
Work with EBCE to conduct outreach and create interest in subscribing to the project
Provide a Letter of Commitment
Interested in sponsoring? Let us know! Fill out the interest form linked below.
Have a question? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions document by clicking the link below.
Interested in learning more?
EBCE Community Solar Information Session #1 Slides. (PDF)
EBCE Community Solar Information Session #1 Recording.
EBCE Community Solar Information Session #2 Slides. (PDF)
EBCE Community Solar Information Session #2 Recording.
Stay up to date:
- Receive updates about this project by completing the Sponsor Interest Form
- Join our mailing list for the upcoming Community Solar Request for Offers here (check the box for “Solicitations and requests for proposals”).