San Diego Community Power’s Solar Advantage program brings new solar energy projects to communities that historically have experienced higher pollution and fewer investments in local clean energy.
Community Power’s Solar Advantage program, also known as the Disadvantaged Communities Green Tariff (DAC-GT) program, supports the development of local small-scale solar projects in disadvantaged communities (DACs) as defined by CalEnviroScreen 4.01.
Community Power invites qualified developers to propose local small-scale solar projects through an annual public bidding process. Approved solar projects are expected to add up to 20.16 megawatts (MW) of clean local energy allocated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Once projects are online, eligible customers will receive a 20% discount on their electricity bill for up to 20 years without needing to invest in rooftop solar systems.
This program is part of a larger effort to reduce emissions, lower energy costs and build a more equitable energy future for the San Diego region.
Be physically located in or within five miles of any Solar Advantage-eligible community.
Connect electrically to a circuit, load or substation in SDG&E’s service territory.
Be a new, in-front-of-the-meter solar project eligible under California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).
Behind-the-meter projects, nonrenewable technologies and other complementary technologies are not eligible.
Have a commercial operation date no later than Dec. 31, 2028
Be sized between 500 kilowatts (kW) and 15 megawatts (MW)
Have a completed Phase I Interconnection Study or equivalent.
Comply with the California Air Resources Board’s Voluntary Renewable Electricity Program.
Submit annual validation and reporting after the retirement of the applicable Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).
Qualify as a Solar Advantage project pursuant to D.18-06-027, D.18-10-007 and Resolution E-4999.
Battery storage may be included with the project, but it is optional.
Here are the key dates for the 2025 Solar Advantage RFO.
Solar Advantage RFO Milestone | Anticipated Date of Completion |
|---|---|
RFO launches
| April 7, 2025 |
RFO informational webinar | 3 p.m. PDT, April 15, 2025 |
Deadline to submit questions | 5 p.m. PDT, May 6, 2025
|
Final Q&A addendum posted
| May 19, 2025
|
RFO submission deadline | 5 p.m. PDT, Oct. 20, 2025 |
Follow-up with bidders | Oct. 21 through Dec. 10, 2025 |
Bidder short-list selection notifications sent
| Dec 11, 2025 |
Evaluations, negotiations with short-listed bidders; awards and Community Power Board approval to occur at duly noticed Community Power Board meeting(s) | Dec. 12, 2025 through April 23, 2026 |
Community Power submits executed PPA(s) to CPUC for approval after Community Power’s Board approves the final contract(s) | June 09, 2026 |
Small-scale renewable energy generators can sell excess power back to the energy grid.
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