Electrify Your Business with San José Clean Energy
Improving air quality
As San José businesses continue to lead the way in innovation and sustainability, electrification—replacing fossil fuel-powered systems with electric alternatives such as heat pumps, induction cooktops, and electric vehicles (EVs)—has become a key strategy for staying competitive, efficient, and future-ready.
Electrifying your business takes time and thoughtful planning—making now the ideal time to get started. Beginning the process early can help your business stay ahead of the curve and gain a competitive edge. Whether you’re aiming to modernize your facilities or reduce long-term operating costs, electrification is a smart investment in your future.
Why Think About Electrification?
Electrifying your business is about more than replacing gas appliances. It’s about:
And it’s not just environmental — it’s economical.
Add EV Charging at your Business or Multifamily Property
Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly—with over 60,000 public charging stations and 162,000+ ports now available across the U.S. For businesses, this presents a powerful opportunity to stay ahead of the curve.
Installing on-site EV chargers at your office, warehouse, or multifamily complex supports employee commutes, enhances customer convenience, and improves operational efficiency. On-site charging helps maximize vehicle uptime—especially important for fleets—and demonstrates your commitment to sustainability.
Own or manage multifamily housing?
Our Multifamily EV Charger Assistance Pilot offers financial incentives to help property owners install EV chargers at buildings with four or more units. Tenants want access to convenient charging—and this program helps you meet demand while boosting property value and tenant satisfaction.
Have a commercial fleet or business vehicles?
Explore PG&E’s EV Fleet and Business EV Charging programs for tailored solutions, infrastructure support, and potential rebates to simplify your transition to electric.
Looking to save on energy costs?
Take advantage of the Business Electric Vehicle (BEV) rate plan offered by San José Clean Energy (SJCE) and PG&E, which provides lower electricity rates for powering EV chargers—especially during off-peak hours.
Don’t forget the federal tax credit:
The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit (30C) allows you to claim 30% of the cost to purchase and install EV charging equipment (up to $100,000), available through June 30, 2026.
Whether you’re looking to attract eco-conscious tenants, support your workforce, or electrify your fleet, EV charging is a smart investment in the future of clean transportation.
(Source: Department of Energy, San Jose Clean Energy, PG&E)
Switch to Heat Pumps — Cut Emissions
Upgrading space and water heating to electric heat pumps gives businesses the potential to achieve lower costs and high efficiency and provide real value like year-round comfort and improved air quality. Heat pump technology produces no onsite greenhouse gas emissions, provides consistent and zoned climate control and works great for small offices to large complexes.
Modern heat pumps work 3–4 times more efficiently than gas appliances. Instead of creating heat, they move it, using far less energy to keep your building comfortable all year long. Many models perform reliably even in cold climates and include both heating and cooling — making maintenance simpler and cutting costs.
(Source: Department of Energy)
Grow Your Business in San José with Solar and Battery Storage
If you want to lower costs, keep the lights on during outages, shrink emissions, and boost your bottom line, solar power is a smart choice — and now is the perfect time.
Why act now?
Thanks to the Clean Electricity Investment Credit, your business can claim up to 30% of qualifying solar and battery storage installation costs. For solar projects, begin construction before July 4th, 2026, or have your system placed in service by December 31st, 2027. That means better cash flow and faster returns. Whether you’re building new or renovating, going solar gives you energy independence and reduces your ongoing utility costs.
Bonus for solar entrepreneurs
Are you innovating in solar or clean tech? The U.S. Department of Energy offers plenty of support — from funding and grants to prototype testing, commercialization help, and mentorship from national labs. There’s a whole ecosystem ready to help your business grow.
Check out the DOE’s full list of programs here: Solar Small Business and Entrepreneurial Support
Modernize Your Kitchen: Go All-Electric for a Safer, Smarter, and More Efficient Operation
Is your commercial kitchen, cafeteria, or breakroom still powered by gas? It may be time to electrify. From fryers to ovens and steamers, switching to electric commercial kitchen equipment offers serious benefits for safety, performance, and long-term cost savings.
Boost Kitchen Safety
Gas appliances come with open flames and combustion emissions like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide—putting your team’s health and safety at risk. Electric equipment removes that risk, offering a safer environment with cleaner indoor air. Flat-top electric griddles and ovens eliminate the hazards of open flames, reducing the risk of burns and fire.
Cook Smarter and Faster
Modern electric equipment is built for precision and performance. Electric convection ovens and combi ovens provide consistent, even cooking. Electric fryers heat quickly and maintain stable temperatures, improving food quality and service speed.
While induction cooking is popular in residential settings, many commercial kitchens can benefit from other electric alternatives, like deck ovens, flat-top griddles, and steamers. These solutions offer faster recovery times, better heat control, and consistent results—without overhauling your entire operation.
Save Energy and Reduce Costs
Electric appliances convert more energy into usable heat compared to their gas counterparts—meaning less energy waste and lower operating costs. And because electric equipment often requires less maintenance, you’ll see savings over time.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
Electric appliances tend to have fewer moving parts and simpler surfaces—making them easier to clean and maintain. Flat-top griddles and electric fryers, for example, speed up daily cleaning routines and reduce downtime.
Get Incentives to Make the Switch
Thanks to programs like the California Foodservice Instant Rebates Program, eligible businesses can receive point-of-sale rebates on a wide range of high-efficiency gas and electric commercial foodservice equipment—including fryers, convection ovens, griddles, and more. No paperwork, no waiting.
Learn more and explore rebates at: fs.CaliforniaInstantRebates.com
Peak Rewards for Business – An SJCE Resource
Looking for a simple way to reduce costs while supporting a cleaner grid? San José Clean Energy’s Peak Rewards for Business program offers just that — and it’s available to all SJCE business customers.
How It Works:
Up to six times a month, your business will receive a Peak Rewards Alert asking you to reduce your energy use, typically between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. You’ll get notified about these events at least 24 hours in advance, giving you time to prepare. When you reduce your energy use during these hours, you earn credits on your electricity bill — with no penalties if you can’t participate.
Your energy savings are measured against your typical use from previous weeks. The less you use during an event, the more you earn — and your rewards are paid out quarterly.
Simple steps to maximize savings:
- Shift operations to earlier or later in the day
- Pre-cool your building and adjust thermostats during events
- Power down unused lights, electronics, and equipment
- Encourage staff to unplug desk appliances
Whether you’re running a retail shop or managing a large office, Peak Rewards for Business helps you cut costs, support grid reliability, and contribute to a sustainable San José — without making any permanent changes to your operations.
We’d also love to hear from you. Share how your business is already going electric by emailing us at sjce@sanjoseca.gov.
Together, we’re building a cleaner, smarter San José.
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