401 WEST A STREET
SUITE 200
SAN DIEGO, CA 92101
858-568-7777
cleantechsandiego.org
MISSION:
To accelerate
clean technology
innovation and
promote the
equitable
deployment
of sustainable
solutions across
the San Diego
region for the
benefit of the
economy, the
environment, and
all members of
the community.
October 24, 2023
The Honorable Joe LaCava
Chair, Board of Directors
San Diego Community Power
Re: Support for the San Diego Community Power (SDCP) Net Billing Tariff, Agenda Item 16, October 26, 2023 Board Meeting
Dear Chair LaCava and Members of the Board:
On behalf of Cleantech San Diego, please accept this letter of support for adoption of the proposed Net Billing Tariff (NBT) for all new customers who install onsite generation on or after April 15, 2023, and existing customers transitioning out of the Net Energy Metering (NEM) Tariff following conclusion and/or termination of their 20-year NEM legacy period.
Cleantech San Diego is a member-based business organization that positions the greater San Diego region as a global leader in the cleantech economy. Our members include more than 130 businesses, universities, governments, and nonprofits committed to advancing sustainable solutions for the benefit of the economy, the environment, and all members of the community.
Over the past few years, Cleantech San Diego has convened a committee of experienced energy developers to discuss local community choice energy (CCE) programs and, specifically, items related to the development of local renewable energy resources. The committee also serves as a sounding board and source of technical, market-based expertise to local load serving entities. SDCP staff are frequently invited to participate in these meetings.
SDCP Program Manager Nelson Lomeli has attended these meetings on multiple occasions and has discussed SDCP’s NBT. Based on these conversations and our understanding of the proposal, Cleantech San Diego supports SDCP’s proposal to develop a sustainable behind-the-meter program for its customers through the generation adders and battery energy storage pilot program.
Cleantech San Diego notes that rooftop replacements and panel upgrades can be a significant barrier to the development of onsite generation. For the NBT program to be successful, it will be critical for SDCP to develop methods to support customers who face these challenges.
Cleantech San Diego appreciates SDCP’s commitment to engagement with our members and the opportunity to provide our feedback. We look forward to future collaboration on local energy procurement policies and opportunities.
Sincerely,
Jason Anderson
President and CEO
October 20, 2023
Board of Directors, San Diego Community Power
PO BOX 12716
San Diego, CA 92112‐3716
Subject: Letter of Support for the Adoption of the Net Billing Tariff (NBT) Dear San Diego Community Power Board of Directors,
I am writing on behalf of GRID Alternatives to express our support for San Diego Community Power's (SDCP) adoption of the Net Billing Tariff (NBT) as the next evolution in incentives for customers who generate their own clean power for the following reasons:
NBT incentivizes battery storage adoption and enhances grid reliability: NBT encourages the use of battery storage alongside clean power generation, thereby boosting grid reliability during peak demand and allowing customers to reduce their bills by storing excess energy for later use.
NBT benefits all SDCP customers: The transition from the Net Energy Metering (NEM) program to NBT is equitable and beneficial for all customers regardless of whether a customer produces renewable energy.
Customers who contribute to the grid receive credits similar to wholesale electricity prices. This transition is expected to result in millions of dollars of savings, which will be passed on to all customers through rate reductions and clean energy initiatives.
NBT promotes residential solar and storage growth: SDCP's NBT program offers generation payment adders to support all customers who select to install on‐site generation energy. This $.0075 “adder” above base rates for every kilowatt‐hour sent to the grid by a customer and the $0.11 adder for low‐ income customers enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and/or Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA) programs reduces the standard payback period and creates equal payback period for all residential customers.
We applaud SDCP's commitment to go above and beyond in its support of the local generation industry and encourage this policy change with its focus on grid reliability and a clear commitment to equity for all customers.
Sincerely,
Stephen Campbell
/s/ Stephen Campbell
Policy Director, West
GRID Alternatives
1171 Ocean Ave. Suite 200
Oakland, CA 94608
October 20, 2023
Board of Directors, San Diego Community Power
PO BOX 12716
San Diego, CA 92112-3716
Subject: Letter of Support for the Adoption of the Net Billing Tariff (NBT) Dear San Diego Community Power Board of Directors,
I am writing on behalf of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) to express our support for San Diego Community Power's (SDCP) adoption of the Net Billing Tariff (NBT) as the next evolution in incentives for customers who generate their own clean power. SDCP’s NBT has several advantages, including:
SDCP’s NBT promotes distributed solar and storage growth: SDCP's NBT program offers generation payment adders to support all customers who select to install on-site generation energy, including homes, businesses, schools, and community organizations. This $.0075 “adder” above base rates for every kilowatt-hour sent to the grid by a customer and the $0.11 adder for low-income customers enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and/or Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA) programs reduces the standard payback period and creates equal payback periods for all customers in SDCP’s service territory, something which was not considered when the California Public Utilities Commission determined that adders were not necessary for San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s NBT. Providing an enhanced adder for low-income customers is critical to ensuring that these customers are not left behind in the clean energy transition.
SDCP’s NBT incentivizes battery storage adoption and enhances grid reliability: NBT encourages the use of battery storage alongside clean power generation. The benefits of this are twofold. First, storage allows the customer to use energy generated by their panels during low-value midday hours later in the day when the sun is not shining and energy prices are at their highest, shortening the system payback period. Second storage can help manage excess production such that it can be stored—instead of going to waste—and exported to grid to meet load during the peak period.
We are encouraged by SDCP's commitment to go above and beyond in its support of the local solar+storage industry and encourage this policy change with its focus on grid reliability and a clear commitment to equity for all customers.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Doyle
California State Affairs Director
Solar Energy Industries Association
October 23, 2023
Board of Directors, San Diego Community Power
PO BOX 12716
San Diego, CA 92112-3716
Subject: Letter of Support for the Adoption of the Net Billing Tariff (NBT) Dear San Diego Community Power Board of Directors,
I am writing on behalf of Vote Solar, a non-profit policy advocacy organization with the mission of making solar more accessible and affordable across the United States, to express our support for San Diego Community Power's (SDCP) adoption of the Net Billing Tariff (NBT) plus Generation Adders as the next evolution in incentives for customers who generate their own clean power for the following reasons:
NBT incentivizes battery storage adoption and enhances grid reliability: NBT encourages the use of battery storage alongside clean power generation, thereby boosting grid reliability during peak demand and allowing customers to reduce their bills by storing excess energy for later use.
NBT benefits all SDCP customers: The transition from the Net Energy Metering (NEM) program to NBT is equitable and beneficial for all customers regardless of whether a customer produces renewable energy.
Customers who contribute to the grid receive credits similar to wholesale electricity prices. This transition is expected to result in millions of dollars of savings, which will be passed on to all customers through rate reductions and clean energy initiatives.
NBT promotes residential solar and storage growth: SDCP's NBT program offers generation payment adders to support all customers who select to install on-site generation energy. This $.0075 “adder” above base rates for every kilowatt-hour sent to the grid by a customer and the $0.11 adder for low-income customers enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and/or Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA) programs reduces the standard payback period and creates equal payback period for all residential customers.
We applaud SDCP's commitment to go above and beyond in its support of the local generation industry and encourage this policy change with its focus on grid reliability and a clear commitment to equity for all customers.
Sincerely,
Andrea Leon-Grossmann
Deputy Program Director, West
Vote Solar
360 22nd St, Suite 730
Oakland, CA 94612
October 20th, 2023
Board of Directors, San Diego Community Power
PO BOX 12716
San Diego, CA 92112-3716
Subject: Letter of Support for the Adoption of the Net Billing Tariff (NBT) Dear San Diego Community Power Board of Directors,
I am writing on behalf of Climate Action Campaign to express our support for San Diego Community Power's (SDCP) adoption of the Net Billing Tariff (NBT) as the next evolution in incentives for customers who generate their own clean power for the following reasons:
NBT incentivizes battery storage adoption and enhances grid reliability: NBT encourages the use of battery storage alongside clean power generation, thereby boosting grid reliability during peak demand and allowing customers to reduce their bills by storing excess energy for later use.
NBT benefits all SDCP customers: The transition from the Net Energy Metering (NEM) program to NBT is equitable and beneficial for all customers regardless of whether a customer produces renewable energy. Customers who contribute to the grid receive credits similar to wholesale electricity prices. This transition is expected to result in millions of dollars of savings, which will be passed on to all customers through rate reductions and clean energy initiatives.
NBT promotes residential solar and storage growth: SDCP's NBT program offers generation payment adders to support all customers who select to install on-site generation energy. This $.0075 “adder” above base rates for every kilowatt-hour sent to the grid by a customer and the $0.11 adder for low-income customers enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and/or Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA) programs reduces the standard payback period and creates equal payback period for all residential customers.
We applaud SDCP's commitment to go above and beyond in its support of the local generation industry and encourage this policy change with its focus on grid reliability and a clear commitment to equity for all customers.
Sincerely,
Nicole Capretz
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Climate Action Campaign
(619) 419-1222 ext. 700
Baker Home Energy | 1.877.578.8080
2120 Harmony Grove Road | Escondido, CA 92029
BakerHomeEnergy.com
Baker Home Energy is a trademark of Baker Electric, Inc. and NB Baker Electric, Inc. DBA Baker Home Energy.
CA License #858088 C10, C46, C39, C20
10/19/2023
Board of Directors, San Diego Community Power
PO BOX 12716
San Diego, CA 92112-3716
Subject: Letter of Support for the Adoption of the Net Billing Tariff (NBT) Dear San Diego Community Power Board of Directors,
I am writing on behalf of Baker Home Energy to express our support for San Diego Community Power's (SDCP) adoption of the Net Billing Tariff (NBT) as the next evolution in incentives for customers who generate their own clean power for the following reasons:
NBT incentivizes battery storage adoption and enhances grid reliability: NBT encourages the use of battery storage alongside clean power generation, thereby boosting grid reliability during peak demand and allowing customers to reduce their bills by storing excess energy for later use.
NBT benefits all SDCP customers: The transition from the Net Energy Metering (NEM) program to NBT is equitable and beneficial for all customers regardless of whether a customer produces renewable energy.
Customers who contribute to the grid receive credits similar to wholesale electricity prices. This transition is expected to result in millions of dollars of savings, which will be passed on to all customers through rate reductions and clean energy initiatives.
NBT promotes residential solar and storage growth: SDCP's NBT program offers generation payment adders to support all customers who select to install on-site generation energy. This $.0075 “adder” above base rates for every kilowatt-hour sent to the grid by a customer and the $0.11 adder for low-income customers enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and/or Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA) programs reduces the standard payback period and creates equal payback period for all residential customers.
We applaud SDCP's commitment to go above and beyond in its support of the local generation industry and encourage this policy change with its focus on grid reliability and a clear commitment to equity for all customers.
Sincerely,
Mike Teresso
President
Baker Home Energy