Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) launched PG&E’s Solar Choice program, extending the option for 100% solar power to customers who are not planning to install rooftop solar panels. Customers can purchase half or all of their electric power from solar energy locally sourced in Northern and Central California, reducing their carbon footprint and driving the development of new solar resources within the state.
Approximately half of U.S. households and businesses are unable to install rooftop solar due to space, lack of sun exposure or ownership limitations. For a modest charge, PG&E’s Solar Choice program extends solar access and benefits to residential and business customers regardless of their location or ability to physically install rooftop solar. As the program develops, the solar energy purchased by customers will be sourced from new solar projects built by developers across PG&E’s service area, bringing new green jobs to Northern and Central California.
“PG&E’s Solar Choice program is all about giving customers more choice and control over their energy, and bringing the benefits of solar to our communities. Our customers already enjoy some of the cleanest power in the country. Now, they can directly contribute to bringing more renewable energy onto the electric grid – a win for our customers and for California,” said PG&E Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Laurie Giammona.
PG&E’s Solar Choice can help renters, homeowners, businesses and cities meet their own sustainability, clean energy or climate goals. Additionally, participating organizations could qualify for LEED points for green building leadership as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Partnership for electricity generated from renewable resources.
Kelly Slater Wave Company is one of the first California businesses to partner with PG&E’s Solar Choice to go 100 percent solar, purchasing renewable energy with zero greenhouse gas emissions and lowering their carbon footprint. The company is powering their new wave technology and high-performance training center in California’s Central Valley.
“We are committed to encouraging sustainable development at any site using our technology. As part of this commitment, we are pleased that our first site in Central California is 100% powered by solar energy through PG&E’s Solar Choice. This program allows Kelly Slater Wave Company to not only be a pioneer in wave technology, but also in supporting sustainable power initiatives as we act environmentally through an alternative to installing solar panels and fulfill our vision of building the best man-made wave,” said Noah Grimmett, General Manager of Kelly Slater Wave Company.
PG&E recently announced that all of its operations service centers – nearly 100 facilities in Northern and Central California – will be 100% powered by solar energy through PG&E’s Solar Choice program.