2026 Clean Energy Innovation Solicitation for
Emerging Technologies

The 2026 Clean Energy Innovation Solicitation for Emerging Technologies (Innovation Solicitation) focuses on evaluating and advancing a diverse range of innovative clean energy technologies in early stages of development. This process enables CPA to evaluate proposals for emerging technologies and, for selected projects, facilitate advancement toward commercial readiness. Projects that demonstrate novel approaches, emerging pathways, or first-of-a-kind applications are encouraged to submit proposals.

If you have a proposal for a resource that is otherwise eligible for CPA’s other Request for Offers (RFO) such as the Clean Energy and Reliability RFO, please submit your proposal through those RFOs.

Emerging Technologies Eligibility

Emerging clean renewable or carbon-free power technologies or resources providing generation and/or energy storage capabilities. The resource must be located (or intended to be) within the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) or able to deliver energy to CAISO. Projects must meet the minimum size requirement of 1 MW with a maximum size requirement of 50 MW and a commercial readiness date no later than 2037. Fossil fuel-based generation with carbon capture is not eligible currently.

Proposers may choose from multiple Award Options. Proposers may elect to receive a formal letter of support from CPA for the project or enter into an agreement with CPA that would, upon successful completion of defined development milestones, allow the project to be shortlisted for negotiations of a power purchase agreement. CPA expects that these Award Options will support the project’s development and eventual success.

Schedule

June 29, 2026

Innovation Solicitation opens

August 3, 2026

First deadline to submit questions at 11:59pm Pacific Time

August 17, 2026

First Question & Answer (Q&A) document posted to the CPA Innovation Solicitation website

October 23, 2026

Second deadline to submit questions at 11:59pm Pacific Time

November 6, 2026

Second Q&A document posted to the CPA Innovation Solicitation website

December 14, 2026

Deadline to submit proposals at 5:00pm Pacific Time

April – May 2027

Proposers are notified of award selection or non-selection

Proposals may be submitted at any time up to December 14, 2026. CPA will review proposals according to the schedule.

Participate in CPA’s 2026 Innovation Solicitation

Register to receive all notifications from this solicitation.

Submit questions regarding the solicitation.

Upload your completed proposal package.

The solicitation release package is available for download on the Solicitation Website, and includes the following documents:

SOLICITATION MATERIALS