SB 851: Self-generation incentive program.

Existing law requires the Public Utilities Commission to require the administration, until January 1, 2026, of a self-generation incentive program to increase the deployment of distributed generation resources and energy storage systems. Existing law requires the commission, in administering the program, to use funds that are appropriated by the Legislature, as provided, for the purpose of providing incentives to eligible residential customers who install behind-the-meter energy storage systems or solar photovoltaic systems paired with energy storage systems. Existing law requires the commission to allocate 70% of that funding for incentives to eligible-low income residential customers who install either new behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic systems paired with energy storage systems or new energy storage systems.

This bill instead would require, among other things, that the incentives described above for eligible residential households be used in addition to the self-generation incentive program. The bill would require the commission to establish a system to equitably award incentives and set incentive levels, as specified. To ensure equitable access to those incentives for eligible residential customers, the bill would require the commission to establish new technology guidelines, as specified. to support adoption of commercially available behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic systems and energy storage systems by eligible residential customers. The bill would also require the commission to establish a block grant structure and associated guidelines for California Indian tribes, community-based service providers, local publicly owned electric utilities, and community choice aggregators to apply on behalf of eligible low-income residential households. entities with demonstrated success in providing service to low-income populations in the state.

Under existing law, a violation of an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime.

Because a violation of an order or decision of the commission implementing the above-described requirements would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.