Introduction to Programs, Rebates, and Incentives

Where Does the Money Come From?

The SCE incentive and rebate programs are paid for by California ratepayers and administered by SCE under the auspices of the CPUC.

The CPUC sets goals for the utility companies, and pays the utility companies money to create and implement various programs. The utility companies then identify ways to apply the money to meet these goals.
In 2007, according to the CPUC, they "created the most ambitious energy efficiency and conservation campaign in the history of the utility industry in the U.S."

How Can You Receive Your Rebates?

The specifics of how you participate in SCE's programs vary with the program. The following topic includes an overview of some programs of interest, including the process for receiving rebates through the Express Efficiency and Standard Performance Contract programs.

Express Solutions Program: Is designed for small to medium sized nonresidential customers who maintain a monthly demand of less than 500 kW.
It offers SCE business customers generous cash rebates toward the purchase and installation of qualified equipment that improves their facility's energy efficiency.

The ES program has earned several national energy efficiency awards as a result of its successful track record-achieving energy savings at an extraordinarily low cost per kWh and kW and encouraging customers who might otherwise not implement the energy saving equipment.

Customized Solution Program: Is designed for all industrial, commercial, and agricultural customers including but not limited to government institutions, schools, manufacturing facilities, office buildings, restaurants, and retail facilities.

Incentives are based on the type of measure installed and the kWh saved over a 12-month period. Applicants are eligible to receive up to 50% of the cost for each measure type.

The CS incentives accommodate "customized projects." Projects are open to a wide range of measures that save energy, and may include common retrofits like lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration upgrades, or more specialized process improvements and customized equipment replacements. Retrofit or new equipment installations are eligible.

Direct Install Program: Is a proven method of delivering retrofit hardware to very small and small customers. This program can help these customers overcome barriers such as higher startup costs and split incentives for leased spaces.

CA Solar Incentives: Is designed for a wide range of customers, including residential homeowners, businesses large and small, government facilities, nonprofit organizations, and more.

SCE offers qualifying customers and system owners cash incentives for buying and installing tracking and fixed photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Incentives are based upon the size and characteristics of the installation and the customer classification.

Demand Response Program: Which are designed to encourage a reduction in energy use during designated high demand periods when overall electricity use is at its highest, or when power grid integrity may be at risk.

SCE's Automated Demand Response (AUTO DR) program that enable eligible customers to participate in DR by reducing electricity usage during periods of peak demand without manual intervention. AUTO DR uses an energy management system (EMS) to automatically achieve specified energy demand reductions (kW and duration) during periods of peak demand.