You can read more about the program in the terms and conditions, which fully explain the program’s eligibility requirements and that if a customer is no longer eligible for the program, another customer will be enrolled in their place.
Solar Access is Green-e® Energy certified, and meets the environmental and consumer-protection standards set forth by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. Learn more at www.green-e.org.
What is Solar Access?
Solar Access is a San José Clean Energy program that offers eligible customers 100% solar energy at a 20% discount. We received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to implement the Solar Access program in early 2021.
Solar Access enables customers who rent their home, cannot afford solar, or whose home is unsuitable for solar to benefit from utility scale solar energy at a 20% discount on electric generation and delivery charges.
Through Solar Access, SJCE sources the energy for customers. There is no solar panel installation or equipment required.
Who can participate in Solar Access?
Solar Access is available to residential customers who are:
• Enrolled in either the California Alternate Rates for Energy program (CARE) or Family Electric Rates Assistance program (FERA)
• And live in one of the program’s qualifying neighborhoods
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorized SJCE to implement this program for customers living in disadvantaged communities (DACs), which are defined as the top 25% scoring areas from the latest version of CalEnviroScreen. Customers in DACs are disproportionately impacted by environmental and socioeconomic burdens such as air pollution, poverty, or high incidence of asthma.
How are customers selected for Solar Access?
Space in the Solar Access program is limited to the solar capacity allocation from the California Public Utilities Commission, which is 1.736 megawatts (MW). SJCE estimates this capacity can serve ~700-800 customers. This estimate is based on the average energy usage of all CARE/FERA customers in PG&E territory.
Customers interested in enrolling in the program should apply online, by mail (business reply card), or by phone. Eligible customers will be added on a first come, first served basis until the program’s capacity (1.736 megawatts (MW)) is reached. If capacity is not reached by June 1, 2022, then SJCE will begin randomly selecting eligible customers for enrollment.
As enrolled customers move, unenroll, or otherwise become ineligible, spots in the program will open. Therefore, SJCE will continue to accept applications after June 1, 2022. Customers who apply after June 1, 2022, will be placed on a waitlist and enrolled into the program on a first come, first served basis as spots become available. Customers on the waitlist will be enrolled into the program before randomly selected customers.
All customers will be notified of their application status via email or mail.
How will I hear about my application status?
SJCE will review applications monthly. Customers will receive an email or letter indicating their enrollment status (i.e., enrolled, placed on the waitlist, or not eligible). Indication of a customer’s enrollment on their bill will take 1-2 billing cycles, depending on how close to the meter read date a customer applied for the program.
Customers will also be notified by email or letter if they become ineligible for the program and will receive a two-month grace period to re-demonstrate their eligibility. SJCE will save a customer’s spot in the program during this two-month grace period, but they will not receive the 20% discount.
Do I need solar panels or equipment to be in Solar Access?
No. SJCE will source 100% solar energy for you from solar facility. No solar panels or equipment is needed from you.
Can the Solar Access discount be combined with other discounts?
Yes. The 20% discount from Solar Access will be stacked on top of your CARE or FERA discount for up to 55% off your bill.
Are there still spots available and how does the waitlist work?
This program is currently full, but there is a waitlist available. When a spot opens up in the program, SJCE will use this waitlist to select customers for enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis.
Will my bill change when enrolled in Solar Access?
No. How you are billed and the way you pay your bill will not change. You will continue to receive one monthly bill from PG&E and will see the Solar Access discount as a line item on the San José Clean Energy page of your bill (usually page 4).
What happens if I move from my neighborhood?
If you move from one qualifying neighborhood to another and continue to be a CARE or FERA customers, then you are still eligible for the program.
If you move to a neighborhood that does not qualify for the program, then you will be removed from the program. Similarly, if you move outside of SJCE’s service territory or opt out of SJCE service, you will no longer be our customer and will be removed from the program.
What happens if I’m no longer eligible?
Customers may become ineligible for the program for one or more of the following reasons:
• You no longer live in one of the program’s qualifying neighborhoods.
• You are no longer enrolled in the CARE or FERA program.
• You moved out of SJCE’s service area.
• You opted out of SJCE generation service.
We give a grace period of two months before removing you from the Solar Access program. We’ll save your spot in the program during this two-month grace period, but you will not receive the 20% discount.
Can I opt out of Solar Access?
Yes. You may call 833-432-2454 to opt out of the program. There is no fee to opt out. Your spot will be given to the next eligible customer on the program waitlist.
How do I get 100% solar energy even when the sun isn’t shining?
SJCE will purchase enough energy from a solar facility to meet each enrolled customer’s demand.
Energy for the Solar Access program will be purchased from a solar facility located in a disadvantaged community within PG&E’s territory. From there, the energy is fed onto the statewide electric grid and then travels to customers’ homes. Electricity accounting is performed on an annual basis, meaning utilities (like SJCE) purchase enough clean energy to meet each customer’s annual demand. SJCE reports all power purchases to the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission so you can be sure that we are putting cleaner electricity onto the grid for you.
