Choose cleaner energy sources

Why?

There are many benefits to choosing and conserving your use of cleaner energy sources. The obvious ones? You may save money, help reduce your climate impact, and achieve greater reliability and security -- especially in an area of potential shutoffs due to wildfires and storms.

Pick Sonoma Clean Power's "Evergreen"

Even if you aren’t able to install solar, you can still use renewable electricity. Here’s how: Upgrade to Evergreen with Sonoma Clean Power (SCP), our community choice energy provider. You’ll pay a little extra, but you’ll be using 100 percent local, renewable energy day and night. SCP is the only utility in California to provide such a comprehensive option – so take advantage of it! Sign up here.

Sonoma Clean Power: Residents

The Climate Center: Community Choice Energy

Use power during non-peak times

You may be asked to voluntarily lower your energy use during a FlexAlert, which typically occurs during summer nights when energy use goes up, solar generation is offline, and residents are home turning on air conditioners, lights, and appliances. Register today to receive alerts.

And enroll in Sonoma Clean Power's GridSavvy Rewards to make money when you save energy! Receive text or email alerts when there is a need to save energy. Simply reduce electricity use when SCP notifies you and you’ll earn rewards. There are no penalties if you don't reduce your usage, only rewards when you do.

Flexalert: What should consumers do when a Flex Alert is issued?

Flexaltert: Register today to receive alerts.

Sonoma Clean Power: GridSavvy Rewards Alerts

Install solar PV (building owner)

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight into electrical energy to power your home. Solar is the fastest growing and most affordable source of new electricity in the US. Installing solar is not only a way to use clean, renewable energy, it will also make electrification more affordable.

However, solar is a big investment, so be sure to do your homework before signing a contract. Talk with local companies, compare pre-screened installers at sites such as EnergySage, get referrals from friends and neighbors, and evaluate what you will need in the future based on your electrification plans. If funds are a barrier, see if you qualify for no-cost solar.

City of Petaluma: A Guide to Going Solar

Energy.gov: Solar

GridSolar: Get Solar

EnergySage: Compare and save on clean home energy solutions

CNET: How Solar Panels Help You Fight Rising Electricity Prices

Install battery system (building owner)

To provide lower-cost power at night or backup power during an outage, you might want to consider investing in a battery system. Batteries are more economical when paired with a solar array. If you can’t afford a full set of solar panels and a large battery backup system, a portable battery with a solar charger may work better for you; this worksheet can help you decide how much power you will need. Don’t forget to explore rebates and tax incentives.

This worksheet can help you decide how much battery power to buy. Don’t forget to explore rebates and tax incentives. Be aware that batteries increase energy use overall; they are not an energy-saving measure.

CNET: Solar Battery Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know

ZDNet: The best home battery and backup systems (plus how they work)

CPUC: Participating in Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)

EnergySage: Solar battery incentives and rebates

GreenChange.net: Use home batteries