Green Saver Program

The state has defined disadvantaged communities as those areas throughout California which suffer most from a combination of economic, health and environmental burdens. These burdens include poverty, high unemployment, air and water pollution, presence of hazardous wastes, plus a high incidence of asthma and heart disease. For purposes of this program, disadvantaged communities are those census tracts identified by CalEnviroScreen as among the top 25% most burdened census tracts statewide. Also eligible are 22 census tracts in the highest 5 percent of CalEnviroScreen’s Pollution Burden that do not have an overall CalEnviroScreen score because of unreliable socioeconomic or health data. (In PG&E’s service territory, this includes census tract 6029003900 in the city of Shafter.) Find out more about disadvantaged communities.

PG&E expects the Green Saver program to be open for enrollment in March 2020.

Yes. The CPUC has allocated 54.82 MW of solar capacity to PG&E under this program. When enrollment under the program reaches full capacity, enrollment in the program will be closed. Eligible customers will be able to join the program’s waitlist.

PG&E regularly monitors the eligibility status of enrolled customers under the program. If a customer becomes ineligible for any reason (other than a change in the status of their census tract under CalEnviroScreen) they will be removed from the program and informed of the change.

Note that if an enrolled customer’s census tract becomes ineligible for “disadvantaged community” status in a subsequent version of CalEnviroScreen, that change will not disqualify a participant from remaining on the program. However, all other eligibility criteria must continue to be met.

When you enroll in the Green Saver program, you remain on your existing electric rate schedule and will receive a 20% discount on the electric portion of your bill. The 20% discount is applied on top of the applicable CARE or FERA program discount, if you are also enrolled in one of those assistance programs.

During the Green Saver enrollment process, if you are not already enrolled in CARE or FERA, we will provide you the opportunity to demonstrate eligibility for these programs. If we determine that you are eligible, you will be given the opportunity to request enrollment in the appropriate assistance program, in addition to your Green Saver enrollment. Customers who fail a post-enrollment verification for the CARE or FERA program will be removed from the Green Saver program.

For many customers, rooftop solar can be a good option. For example, if you reside in a disadvantaged community and own your home, the DAC-SASH program offered by Grid Alternatives may be a good option. If you live in multifamily affordable housing, the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program may be for you. However, if you are a renter, unable to install solar, or otherwise unable to participate in these other programs, the Green Saver’s community solar program may be appropriate.

Green Saver’s community solar resources allow you to access solar power from projects built in disadvantaged communities throughout PG&E’s service territory. The program provides a great way to participate in solar projects without installing panels on your home.

PG&E requires no contract or long-term commitment to enroll in the Green Saver program, nor termination fee to leave the program. Enrolled customers may leave the program at any time, but will not be eligible to re-enroll for one year from the date of unenrollment.

If you remain eligible for the program, and begin service at your new location within 90 days of your final billing date at your original location, you may retain participation on the Green Saver program at your new location. To remain eligible for the program, however, your new location must also be in a qualifying disadvantaged community.

Yes, enrolled customers may remain in the program for up to 20 years from the date of enrollment, as long as they continue to meet eligibility criteria. Eligible customers may remain enrolled even after the enrollment window has closed.

No, the Green Saver program is only available to qualifying PG&E residential customers.