Clean Power Alliance (CPA) has launched the Solar and Battery Access program for income qualified customers in Los Angeles and Ventura counties to make sustainable, renewable energy accessible with no out-of-pocket expenses for equipment and installation.
Solar and battery systems work together to collect energy from sunlight and store the electricity produced for later use, which enhances a home’s resilience and readiness for power outages. Customers enrolled in the access program can start saving on electricity bills right away — no initial payment is required for equipment or installation. Average savings are estimated to be up to approximately 70% of monthly electricity bills.
The program is available to CPA residential customers who own their home and who are at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and there are 300 solar and battery systems available.
The batteries used for energy storage in this program are made of lithium-ion technology, similar to what is used in smartphones and electric vehicles. These batteries are popular because they are efficient, have a long lifespan, and can store a large amount of energy in a relatively small space. When solar panels generate more electricity than is immediately needed, the excess energy can be stored in batteries for later use — including during peak hours of demand when time-of-use rates are higher.
If the electric grid goes offline, the home battery system will automatically isolate customers’ homes from the grid and begin providing power with the stored energy. This allows customers to continue using select appliances and devices until the power comes back on. The house will reconnect to the grid when the battery system recognizes that power has been restored.
Battery storage systems in the program will be networked to form a virtual power plant (VPP), the first such plant managed by CPA. This virtual power plant will help reduce electricity use during times of high energy demand when the grid is under stress. With the coordination of battery storage systems through a VPP, the network can deliver stored energy to help stabilize the grid and lower energy costs for local communities. A dedicated minimum of 20% of a battery’s capacity will always be intact for backup power operations.
The system’s installation cost will be entirely covered through a combination of federal tax credits, California SGIP (Self Generation Incentive Program) rebates, and funding from CPA and program implementor Haven Energy. After 10 years, homeowners can purchase the system at fair market value, or the system can be removed at no cost.
To learn more about the Solar and Battery Access program or to apply, visit cleanpoweralliance.org/solar-and-battery-access/.
