44% Renewable Energy

Energy plan frequently asked questions

• How much clean and renewable energy is available through OCPA?

  OCPA procures both clean and renewable electricity on behalf of our customers. Each electricity product has a different percentage of renewable energy. Basic Choice is at least 44% renewable and we have two higher renewable energy products, Smart Choice with at least 72% and 100% Renewable Choice.

• How do I enroll?

  To make things convenient, commercial customers in member communities are automatically enrolled when you establish new electricity service. You’re all set, there’s no need to do anything. If you previously opted out of OCPA and are interested in re-enrolling, click here.

• What is the difference between OCPA and my previous energy provider?

  You now have the power to choose who provides your energy. Historically, SCE has been the default power provider to most customers. However, in 2002 when state legislators passed California’s Community Choice Aggregation law, this default status was transferred from SCE to local community energy programs like OCPA.

• What type of renewable energy is OCPA purchasing?

  OCPA has entered into 144 power purchase agreements for solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and biomass renewable energy.

• Are Green Rates available through SCE?

  SCE suspended Green Rates for all new customers due to enrollment exceeding the amount of capacity available from the approved Green Rate resources. SCE will maintain a waitlist for customers interested in participating in the Green Rate program, and as capacity becomes available, SCE will enroll customers on the Green Rate on a first-come, first-served basis. All of OCPA’s plans are open to all customers, with nowait list and no restrictions on capacity.

   

  If you are an NEM Solar customer, and you decide to participate in the SCE Green Rate program, you will not receive a credit for the extra electricity you supply to the grid under NEM (called the NSC credit). NEM Solar customers who over-generate benefit from NSC credits and this may help the customers pay off the high cost of their panels. OCPA NEM Solar customers still continue to receive NSC credits, and the OCPA NSC rate is also at 10% more than SCE’s prevailing rate!

• If I have solar panels and produce more energy than I use, will you compensate me for adding clean energy to the grid?

  Yes! When a customer’s solar panel system produces more energy than they use over a 12-month period, OCPA will compensate the customer for adding clean electricity to the local grid with our Net Surplus Compensation (NSC) program. OCPA provides an NSC Rate that is 10% more than SCE’s prevailing NSC rate! It’s our way of saying thank you for being an annual net producer of clean, renewable electricity.