A group of residents and businesses in our region are helping to green the local power grid – to the tune of purchasing approximately 45 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy collectively – enough to power 26,500 homes.
They are doing so by enrolling in our EcoChoice program, which allows customers to subscribe to up to 100% of their electricity from renewable sources, such as solar energy.
In 2018, 1,862 residential customers and 838 commercial customers participated in the EcoChoice program, contributing to the purchase of 45 MW of clean electricity. Today, the number of residential EcoChoice subscribers stands at more than 2,100. The commercial component of EcoChoice, which currently serves about 830 businesses and government agencies, is fully subscribed.
Overall, around 45% of the electricity SDG&E delivers to homes and business today comes from renewable sources. That percentage will continue to grow in the coming years.
How Does EcoChoice Work?
You sign up to have from 50% to 100% of your electricity come from renewable sources. What you pay depends on the amount you select.
Energy for EcoChoice customers is generated at renewable energy facilities in Southern California, including one in Imperial Valley called Midway Solar III project.
Your participation helps support additional renewable energy facilities: The more renewable energy you buy, the more renewable generation we can build. Renewable energy facilities take time to build, so a temporary pool of solar facilities is used until more homegrown renewable energy generating facilities come online.
EcoChoice has an enrollment cap established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). If you’re a commercial customer interested in enrolling, complete an application and you’ll be added to our wait list. We'll contact you once space is available. The program is still available for residential customers.
The EcoChoice program is certified by Green-e Energy, North America’s voluntary certification program for renewable energy.
More Information
There is now no additional cost for most San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) customers who choose to purchase up to 100 percent of their energy from renewable resources through EcoChoice. In fact, you may see some savings.
Customers can estimate their monthly cost to participate in the program through the EcoChoice Cost Calculator.
More information on EcoChoice can be found at sdge.com/EcoChoice.