Have questions about San Diego Community Power? Check out our frequently asked questions below.
Have questions about San Diego Community Power? Check out our frequently asked questions below.
Can’t find the answer on our website? Call our Contact Center at 888-382-0169, open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or email us at CustomerService@SDCommunityPower.org.
San Diego Community Power is a community-driven, not-for-profit public agency known as a Community Choice Aggregator, or CCA. We provide clean energy to the San Diego region. We serve nearly a million customers across the cities of San Diego, Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa and National City, as well as the unincorporated communities of San Diego County.
We purchase energy from renewable sources, like solar or wind, which SDG&E then delivers to your home or business over their poles and wires. SDG&E continues to provide services such as meter readings and billing to Community Power customers. You can learn more about how it works 這裡.
As a public agency, we don’t have shareholders. Instead, we reinvest revenues back into our local communities through lower electricity rates, education and customer programs that contribute to our goal of powering the San Diego region with 100% renewable energy by 2035 or sooner.
San Diego Community Power purchases electricity from renewable sources on the open market. Companies that generate electricity are required by state law to identify their resources and file a detailed report on the content of their generated power. San Diego Community Power is also required to submit this information to state regulators to ensure compliance with California law.
San Diego Community Power strives to purchase electricity from within or near our service territory in support of our local renewable goals.
For specifics on San Diego Community Power’s energy procurement, view our Energy Sources page.
“Clean” energy from a technical perspective is carbon-free energy that creates little to no greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and comes from sources such as hydroelectric power.
Renewable energy comes from resources that are naturally replenished such as solar, wind, and geothermal, and produce no waste. This is unlike fossil fuels, such as oil, natural gas and coal, which cannot be replaced and produce GHG emissions.
California defines hydroelectric power and nuclear power and carbon-free energy that is not renewable.
To learn more about the renewable content of our power mix, view our Energy Sources page.
San Diego Community Power offers four service plans, which include different renewable content. For current information on San Diego Community Power’s service plans, visit our 您的服務選項頁面.
And to learn more about the renewable content of our power mix, view our Energy Sources page.
Yes. San Diego Community Power provides rebates, incentives and offers that support our goal of clean and affordable energy for the San Diego region. Learn more about available offerings on our Rebates, Incentives and Offers page.
San Diego Community Power is overseen by a Board of Directors consisting of one elected official from each of the seven communities that we serve. The Board’s responsibilities include adopting a budget, approving power procurement agreements and other contracts and setting Community Power’s electric generation rates. The Board meets monthly, and all meetings are open to the public in-person or virtually. For more information on upcoming Board meetings or details of previous meetings, visit our Meetings & Agenda page.
San Diego Community Power’s Board of Directors is also advised by community representatives by each of the seven communities that we serve through our Community Advisory Committee, or CAC. To learn more, visit our Community Advisory Committee page.
Day-to-day operations are managed by San Diego Community Power staff, led by Chief Executive Officer, Karin Burns.
San Diego Community Power is financed exclusively by the payments received from our customers. We do not receive tax dollars. We are a not-for-profit, meaning we don’t have shareholders. Instead, we reinvest revenues back into our local communities through lower electricity rates, education and customer programs that contribute to our goal of powering the San Diego region with 100% renewable energy by 2035 or sooner.
No. San Diego Community Power does not engage in telemarketing or door-to-door solicitations, and we will not approach our customers at their home.
Do not give any personal information (for example, SDG&E account number, credit card information, social security number, etc.) to individuals who come to your door falsely representing San Diego Community Power.
If someone calls or reaches out to you claiming to be San Diego Community Power and requests payment for current electricity service or threatens to disconnect your power as a result of nonpayment, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission.
Yes. SDG&E is responsible for maintaining transmission and delivery of the energy San Diego Community Power purchases on behalf of our customers. If you are experiencing a power outage, please contact SDG&E at 800-411-7343 for additional information.
San Diego Community Power purchases energy from renewable sources on behalf of our customers. That electricity is fed onto the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) power grid.
For specifics on San Diego Community Power’s energy procurement, view our Energy Sources page.
All San Diego Community Power customers remain SDG&E customers and receive one bill from SDG&E. San Diego Community Power’s electric generation service appears as a line item on your SDG&E bill, but we are not an extra charge; we are merely replacing the electric generation charge that you would otherwise pay to SDG&E. SDG&E continues to charge for the transmission and delivery of electricity, as well as various regulatory charges, taxes and fees.
No, there is no additional charge. San Diego Community Power’s electric generation charges simply replace SDG&E’s electric generation charges.
San Diego Community Power charges will be included on your SDG&E bill as CCA Electric Generation Charges.
San Diego Community Power is committed to providing clean and competitively priced energy. For current information on San Diego Community Power’s rates, please view our Residential Rates page or Business Rates page.
You can also view an average cost comparison between San Diego Community Power’s service options and SDG&E’s service with our Joint Rate Comparisons, also on our Residential Rates page and Business Rates page.
Due to increased demand for electricity, summer rates (effective from June 1 to October 31 each year) are higher than winter rates, regardless of whether San Diego Community Power or SDG&E provides your electric generation service. Your electricity bills during the summer will likely be higher than the winter as a result.
Visit our Energy Saving Tips page for helpful tips to reduce your energy bill during the summer.
All San Diego Community Power customers remain SDG&E customers and receive one bill from SDG&E. San Diego Community Power’s electric generation service appears as a line item on your SDG&E bill, but we are not an extra charge; we are merely replacing the electric generation charge that you would otherwise pay to SDG&E.
To pay your SDG&E bill or set up a payment arrangement, visit 我的能量中心.
Yes. You will receive the California Climate Credit, regardless of who provides your electric generation service. The California Climate Credit is part of California’s efforts to fight climate change. The credit on your electricity bill is your share of the payments from the State’s program.
No. SDG&E must provide the same transmission and delivery rates for all customers in their services territory, regardless of whether they are enrolled in San Diego Community Power’s service.
The Power Charge Indifferent Adjustment, or PCIA, is a fee assessed by SDG&E intended to ensure that customers pay for the electricity contracted by SDG&E to serve them. The PCIA is not a new charge and is assessed for all customers, regardless of whether they are enrolled in San Diego Community Power’s service.
For customers who receive electric generation service from SDG&E, the PCIA is embedded in SDG&E’s electric generation rates and broken out under the “Breakdown of Current Charges” section of the bill. For customers who receive electric generation service from San Diego Community Power, the PCIA is outlined as a separate line item in the “SDG&E Electric Delivery Charges” section of the bill.
Please note that even with the PCIA charge included, San Diego Community Power’s rates remain competitive with SDG&E’s.
The Competition Transition Charge, or CTC, is a fee assessed by SDG&E for recovery of SDG&E’s uneconomic or “stranded” costs and to fund various public purpose programs administered by the state. The CTC is not a new charge and is assessed for all customers, regardless of whether they are enrolled in San Diego Community Power’s service.
If you are struggling to pay your energy bill, select federal, state and local bill discounts or payment assistance programs may be able to help. Explore the resources available to you on our Bill & Payment Assistance page.
San Diego Community Power’s PowerBase service plan also offers an additional 5% discount compared to SDG&E’s electric generation rates. Learn more or change your service level 這裡.
Yes. Customers who receive electricity generation services from San Diego Community Power are eligible for the same financial assistance programs as those who receive electricity generation services from SDG&E, including California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE), Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) and Medical Baseline.
Customers who were enrolled in financial assistance programs with SDG&E before starting service with San Diego Community Power will remain enrolled in any active programs. You do not need to reapply after starting service with San Diego Community Power.
To learn more about financial assistance programs available to you, visit our Bill & Payment Assistance page.
Yes. You can set up a payment plan or payment extension through 我的能量中心.
Payment plans allow you to split your bill payments into monthly installments. Payment extensions allow you to extend your energy bill’s due date.
Both residential and commercial customers are eligible for payment arrangements, unless the customer has exceeded the maximum allowed, broken or canceled payment arrangements, enrolled in a different payment arrangement or closed the account that the charges are tied to.
CARE is a California state program that provides qualifying low-income households with a 30% discount on monthly electric bills. SDG&E runs this program for both Community Power and SDG&E customers. Learn how to apply 這裡.
To be eligible for CARE, you must already participate in public assistance programs, such as CalFresh or Medicaid, or meet the program’s income guidelines. The full list of eligible public assistance programs and income guidelines can be found on SDG&E’s website.
If you apply to CARE but do not qualify, SDG&E will automatically check to see if you qualify for Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA).
FERA is a federal program that provides qualifying low-income households with a 18% discount on monthly electric bills. SDG&E runs this program for both Community Power and SDG&E customers. Learn how to apply 這裡.
To participate in FERA, you must meet the program’s income guidelines, which can be found on SDG&E’s website.
Medical Baseline Allowance provides households with qualifying medical devices or climate control needs with additional gas and electricity at the lowest available rate, plus notification in the event of a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). Learn how to apply 這裡.
To be eligible for Medical Baseline Allowance, you must have a qualifying medical condition or use qualifying medical equipment, which must be for home-use only. The full list of qualifying medical conditions and equipment can be found on SDG&E’s website.
AMP provides qualifying households with past-due electric bills with a 12-month payment and debt forgiveness plan. Learn how to apply 這裡.
AMP is available to residential customers only; commercial customers are not eligible. AMP is also not available to Net Energy Metering（新電子製造） customers.
To be eligible for AMP, you must be enrolled in CARE or FERA. You must have been an SDG&E customer for at least six months and have had at least one on-time payment in the last two years.
LIHEAP is a federal program that provides households who are struggling financially or in a crisis situation with financial assistance toward past-due energy bills. Learn how to apply 這裡.
To be eligible for LIHEAP, you must be a United States resident who is responsible for the energy costs of a household and has not received LIHEAP funding in the past 12 months. You must also meet the program’s income guidelines, which can be found on SDG&E’s website.
Level Pay is an SDG&E budgeting tool which automatically averages your energy bill every three months.
San Diego Community Power customers can receive their gas and electric delivery charges from SDG&E under Level Pay. However, generation charges from San Diego Community Power will not be included as a part of Level Pay and will vary from month to month depending on your usage. Therefore, you may see some variance in your monthly bills.
Per California state law, customers within San Diego Community Power service territory are automatically enrolled in our service. Residential service began in 2022: Residents in Imperial Beach were enrolled in February, La Mesa in March, Encinitas in April and San Diego and Chula Vista in May. Residents in National City and the unincorporated communities of San Diego County were enrolled in April 2023.
Any residents with solar panels or other self-generation systems were automatically transitioned into San Diego Community Power’s Net Energy Metering program at the time of their annual true up with SDG&E in order to ensure that all true up credits and relevant true up period details were not impacted by the transition.
Yes. San Diego Community Power is committed to empowering customers to make choices about their electricity. You can opt out of our service at any time on our Opt Out page.
Instead of opting out, you may want to consider opting down to PowerBase. This is San Diego Community Power’s most affordable service plan for those who want a lower cost option while continuing to support their community-driven, not-for-profit clean energy provider. Learn more on our 您的服務選項頁面.
If you are a Net Energy Metering (NEM) customer, please note that an opt out will result in a premature true up, and SDG&E will set your renewed annual true up date to align with your return to SDG&E service.
Please note that if you choose to opt out of San Diego Community Power after the first 60 days of service, SDG&E requires that you choose one of the following return options.
Option 1: Immediate Return
Return to SDG&E service on the next meter read to occur at least five business days after opting out. During the first six months of service with SDG&E, you will be subject to SDG&E’s transitional bundled rates, which are the market rate for electricity. This rate can be lower or higher than the standard rates and is subject to change throughout the six-month period. At the end of the six-month period, you will be returned to SDG&E’s standard bundled rates.
Option 2: Six-Month Return
Provide SDG&E a six-month advance notice that you will be returning to their service and will remain on San Diego Community Power’s standard rates for six months. After six months of San Diego Community Power service following your processed opt out, you will be transferred to SDG&E’s standard bundled rates. You will not be subject to SDG&E’s transitional bundled rates.
If you opted out of San Diego Community Power within the first 60 days of service, you can return at any time.
If you opted out after the first 60 days of service, SDG&E will require you to stay within their bundled service for one year. Once that year is up, you may re-enroll in San Diego Community Power.
You can re-enroll or learn whether you are eligible to re-enroll on our Re-enroll page or by calling our Contact Center at (888) 382-0169.
If you are a landlord, SDG&E should have provided you with a landlord account number or landlord agreement, which covers a set group of service addresses under your name as the landlord. If you are the account holder at the unit, you may opt out using the landlord account number.
Please note that if a new tenant moves into one of your units and takes service under their name, they will be automatically enrolled in San Diego Community Power service and will need to opt out on their own if they wish to do so. However, if a tenant moves out and the account reverts to your name, you would not need to process an additional opt out. The opt out would carry over, and you would not receive electric generation service from San Diego Community Power.
Yes. If you are an existing customer who installed an eligible renewable energy self-generation system before April 15, 2023, learn more about our Net Energy Metering (NEM) program on our Net Energy Metering page.
If you applied for interconnection of an eligible renewable energy self-generation system on or after April 15, 2023, or if you have reached the end of your 20-year legacy period on NEM 1.0, learn more about our Solar Billing Plan (SBP) on our Solar Billing Plan page.
According to SDG&E, changing service providers has no effect on rate schedules or Net Energy Metering (NEM) interconnection. This includes customers automatically enrolled into San Diego Community Power service and those who opt out of San Diego Community Power service. Customers will not need to reapply for interconnection when they change service providers as they are still under the same interconnection agreement regardless of their electricity service provider.
NEM customers can opt out of San Diego Community Power service and return to SDG&E at any time. Please note, however, that an opt out will result in a premature true up, and SDG&E will set your renewed annual true up date to align with your return to SDG&E service.
SDG&E may make changes to NEM 1.0 and 2.0 parameters in the future. Visit SDG&E’s website for more information.net
No, your lease or PPA provider arrangement will continue as is.
Because most Net Energy Metering (NEM) customers are net consumers (consuming more energy than they generate), San Diego Community Power defaults NEM customers to monthly billing, which allows you to receive smaller bills each month rather than one large bill at the end of the relevant period.
Annual billing may be preferable if you are a net generator (generating more energy than you consume) in at least one month during your true up period since it applies all charges and credits at the end of your true up period. This can allow a month of net consumption earlier in the year to be offset by later months of net generation.
For both monthly and annual billing, annual true up Net Surplus Compensation (NSC) is based on the total cumulative usage (kWh) of your account over the course of your 12-month relevant true up period.
To update your billing preference to annual billing, fill out this form. However, please note that:
You must be a NEM 1.0 or NEM 2.0 customer with an interconnection date prior to April 15, 2023;
You must update your billing preferences at the time of your true up, before you have been billed by San Diego Community Power;
And you will not be able to return to monthly billing for a full 12 months.
At the time of your annual NEM true-up, we will issue you compensation up to the value of your NEM balance for any Community Power charges that were applied over the course of the relevant true-up period.
This means that if you have NEM credits remaining at the time of your true-up, we will apply those back to your account, either as a rollover or a cash out, for Community Power charges that were applied over the past year.
If you were a net generator (produced more electricity than you used) over the true-up period, we will add your NEM Balance Credit Refund to your Net Surplus Compensation (NSC) and any potential rollover credits from the last true-up period. If that cumulative value is more than $100, we will issue you a check. If it is under $100, we will roll it over to your NEM balance to offset future Community Power charges in subsequent relevant periods.
If you were a net consumer (used more electricity than you produced) over the true-up period, we will add your NEM Balance Credit Refund back to your NEM balance to offset future Community Power charges in months where you use more electricity than you produce.
If you have solar, the Solar Billing Plan (SBP), also known as Net Billing Tariff or NEM 3.0, is a new method of compensation for the energy that your solar system produces. The Solar Billing Plan is intended to promote grid reliability and incentivize battery storage. If you recently installed solar, you are likely on the Solar Billing Plan.
For more information, visit our Solar Billing Plan page.
With SBP, your electricity meter tracks both your imports, or how much energy you use, and your exports, or how much energy your solar system sends to the electric grid. The electricity that is imported and exported is measured individually and valued differently from one another.
Batteries can store the renewable energy your system produces to use during peak demand hours, usually in the evenings when the sun is down and energy use is high.
SBP customers with solar and battery storage systems can reduce their energy bills by storing energy in their battery during the day to draw on during peak demand hours. This increases the amount of renewable energy available during peak demand hours, thereby decreasing the need for energy from fossil fuels.
For more information, visit our Solar Billing Plan page.
Existing NEM 1.0 and NEM 2.0 customers will remain on NEM until the completion of their legacy period, or 20 years from the time their system was connected to the electric grid, after which they will be transitioned to SBP. NEM customers will also be transitioned to SBP if they increase the capacity of their generation system by more than 10% or 1 kW, or if they choose to switch to SBP. For more information, reach out to your solar installer.
The several differences between Net Energy Metering (NEM) and Solar Billing Plan, including:
NEM customers have a legacy period of 20 years from their Permission to Operate date. Solar Billing Plan customers will have a legacy period of 9 years from their Permission to Operate date.
NEM customers are required to be on a time of use rate. Solar Billing Plan customers are required to be on a “highly differentiated” time of use rate, EV-TOU-5 for residential customers. On EV-TOU-5, electricity is more expensive during the time of the highest demand and less expensive at other times. Non-residential Solar Billing Plan customers will remain on their existing rate schedule.
NEM’s export rate is based on retail rates. Solar Billing Plan’s export rate is based on the Avoided Cost Calculator (ACC), which varies by hour and month and is closely aligned with wholesale rates.
NEM customers have the option to enroll in annual billing so that their billing is applied once at the time of their annual true up. Solar Billing Plan customers are billed monthly and will not be eligible for annual billing.
For more information, view our Rooftop Solar page.
There are several key differences between San Diego Community Power and SDG&E’s Solar Billing Plan:
San Diego Community Power will apply an additional $0.0075 per kWh adder to SDG&E’s Export Compensation Rate hourly prices for customers with new generating systems. Customers enrolled in California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) will receive a $0.11 per kWh adder. (Please note that NEM 1.0 and 2.0 customers that have either completed or terminated their 20-year legacy period will not be eligible for San Diego Community Power adders.)
San Diego Community Power’s Solar Billing Plan offers an Electricity Export Credit Refund. At the time of your annual true up, San Diego Community Power will apply any export credits you accumulated to San Diego Community Power charges that were applied over the relevant period.
San Diego Community Power’s Net Surplus Compensation (NSC) will be applied exactly the same for Solar Billing Plan customers as it is for Net Energy Metering (NEM) customers: Payment will be based on total net generation and the current NSC rate, plus our adder of $0.0075. SDG&E Solar Billing Plan customers eligible for NSC will have an “Annual True Up Adjustment” applied. Through the Annual True Up Adjustment, SDG&E reclaims credits already compensated to the customer during their annual true up and Net Surplus Compensation process.
For commercial customers enrolled in San Diego Community Power’s Solar Billing Plan program, export credits will be used to offset all aspects of your San Diego Community Power import charges, including demand charges. SDG&E’s Solar Billing Plan mechanics only allow for charges based on usage in kWh to be offset by export credits (excluding demand in kW).
For more information, view our Rooftop Solar page.
The export credits for Solar Billing Plan customers vary based on the hour of the day and month of the year. You can review SDG&E’s Solar Billing Plan export pricing 這裡. Please note that San Diego Community Power provides a $0.0075 adder onto export credits, and CARE/FERA customers receive an additional $0.11 adder on top of the export credits.
No. If you joined during the 2024 pilot, your program details, eligibility requirements and materials may differ. Please review 2024 pilot resources 這裡.
Program enrollment opened on September 30, 2025. To get started, choose a San Diego Community Power approved contractor and review your solar system and approved battery options. Your contractor will guide you through the process and submit your application for you.
Your battery is required to dispatch 50% of its usable capacity between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays. The battery dispatches first to power your home and any remaining energy will automatically be exported to the grid. The performance incentive applies to all energy discharged during this window, whether it’s powering your home or exported to the grid.
Outside of the weekday dispatch window, your battery will operate based on the settings you and your contractor have selected. Please note that some battery manufacturers recommend maintaining a backup reserve (typically 0–20%), which may further limit the amount of battery capacity available to you for everyday use.
A solar and storage system may help you offset or lower the generation portion of your energy bill, but whether it does is dependent on several factors, including your consumption habits, system sizing, location and more.
Yes. 50% of your battery is reserved for the program, and the other half is yours to use as you choose. In the case of an outage, you can override the dispatch window so your battery powers your home when needed.
Yes. If you’re a Net Energy Metering (NEM) or Solar Billing Plan (SBP) customer, you can add a new battery and qualify for both the upfront rebate and performance incentives.
Not at this time. Currently, performance incentives are only available for new batteries. Continue to check the webpage as this may change in the future.
You must stay enrolled with San Diego Community Power for at least five years to keep your upfront rebate.
If you leave before five years, you will need to repay a prorated portion of your rebate and you will forfeit all future performance incentives.
If you leave after five years, you can keep the full rebate but will no longer receive performance incentives.
Claw-back schedule for upfront rebate:
Year of Unenrollment Rebate Repayment Required
Year 1 100%
Year 2 80%
Year 3 60%
Year 4 40%
Year 5 20%
Please reach out to your contractor or your battery manufacturer’s support team:
Tesla: vppsupport@tesla.com
Enphase: GridServicesSupport@EnphaseEnergy.com
FranklinWH: Service@FranklinWH.com
If you don’t hear back within two weeks, please contact Community Power at SolarBatterySavings@SDCommunityPower.org.
The annual Power Content Label resembles a nutrition label, providing a breakdown of energy sources that make up San Diego Community Power’s power mix, such as solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear, large hydroelectric and natural gas. The Power Content Label allows customers to compare the content of San Diego Community Power’s service plans and provides a summary of California’s energy mix.
The California Energy Commission’s Power Source Disclosure program works with retail energy suppliers like San Diego Community Power and SDG&E each year to ensure consumers receive energy source and greenhouse gas information on the energy they used over the previous calendar year.
To view the most recent Power Content Label, click 這裡.
Customers receive each annual Power Content Label in the following calendar year to ensure that its information is reviewed and accepted by the California Energy Commission (CEC) for validity.
Per California state law, San Diego Community Power and other electricity providers are required to provide their customers with a power source disclosure in the form of the Power Content Label, which is created by the California Energy Commission each year.
Each year, San Diego Community Power sends the Power Content Label via email to all customers who have an email address associated with their SDG&E account. Customers who do not have an email address associated with their SDG&E account receive a physical mailer at their SDG&E service address. It is a regulatorily required communication that San Diego Community Power must send to all customers.
Unspecified power refers to electricity that is not traceable to a specific generating facility. This energy is sourced from the generation mix of the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) power grid.
San Diego Community Power provided a power mix with a higher renewable percentage than the California Utility Average. However, San Diego Community Power chose not to procure nuclear, carbon-free, energy in 2024. Due to pricing concerns with other carbon-free resources, which could reflect higher costs to ratepayers, San Diego Community Power procured less large hydroelectric power in 2024 versus 2023. The lower carbon-free percentage results in a higher Green House Gas Emissions Intensity compared to the California Utility Average in 2024.