In preparation for the next wildfire season, the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) has authorized funding of more than $1 billion through 2024.
Through its Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), SCE, PG&E, CSE, and SoCal Gas will provide rebates to support existing, new, and emerging distributed energy resources for installing energy storage technology at both residential and non-residential facilities.
Funding includes prioritization of communities living in high fire-threat areas, communities that have experienced two or more utility Public Safety Power Shut-off (PSPS) events, as well as low-income and medically vulnerable customers.
According to CPUC’s website (cpuc.ca.gov/sgipinfo), these storage technologies include battery storage systems that can function during a power outage. Qualifying technologies include wind turbines, waste heat-to-power technologies, pressure-reduction turbines, internal combustion engines, microturbines, gas turbines, fuel cells, and advanced energy storage systems.
The funds are also available for “critical facilities” that support community resilience in the event of a PSPS or wildfire. For the most up-to-date information on the current status of the SGIP budget and whether or not a particular step is open or closed, please visit the SGIP site for information on statewide budget status: (selfgenca.com/budget_public/program_level_summary/statewide), as well as the status individually for PG&E, SCE, CSE and SoCalGas.
For local certified installers:
- Helios Energy CA, a residential and commercial consulting company specializing in solar and backup battery installation, has completed multiple installations in Topanga. (Taylor Crouse (760) (504-5553; Taylor@HeliosEnergyCA.com)
- Xero Solar, Contact longtime resident Lee Rhoads, a certified installer of solar-powered backup batteries and Tesla PowerWall installation. (lee@xerosolar.com; (310) 455-2958; (310) 487-5750; xerosolar.com)