Residential Storage Initiative Expected to Expand to Several Hundred More Residential Customers in 2023
OAKLAND, Calif.,Dec. 20, 2022太平洋从气体and Electric Company (PG&E) and Enphase Energy are launching a home battery energy storage program to support vulnerable, low-income customers during power outages. Through the Residential Storage Initiative, PG&E is providing battery systems at no cost to approximately 100 residential customers who have been frequently impacted by outages as a result of PG&E'sEnhanced Powerline Safety Settings(EPSS).
These enhanced safety settings protect millions of Californians who live in high fire-risk areas within PG&E's service area. To help prevent wildfire ignitions, the safety settings turn off power within one-tenth of a second when a fault, such as a tree limb contacting a powerline, is detected.
PG&E嗨使用这些增强的安全设置gh fire-risk and select adjacent areas in 2022 has led to a 65% reduction in ignitions in those areas.
PG&E is taking actions to reduce the burden of these safety-related outages on customers and communities, including partnering with Enphase to develop the Residential Storage Initiative.
"We know power outages can be hard on our customers and even more challenging for vulnerable populations. We expect this initiative in collaboration with Enphase will help build resilience, enhance reliability, and make life a little easier for our customers when the power is turned off for safety," saidAaron August, Vice President, Utility Partnerships & Innovation, PG&E.
Eligible customers live inEl Dorado,Napa, andNevadacounties; are enrolled in theCalifornia Alternate Rates for Energyprogram; do not already have a fixed power solution (such as a battery or permanently installed generator); and have experienced the most frequent safety-related outages.
While battery availability is limited to the first 100 enrollments on a first-come, first-served basis during the launch phase of the initiative, PG&E and Enphase anticipate expanding installations to several hundred new systems in 2023.
"PG&E is taking bold action with this home battery initiative to provide its customers with innovative resiliency options in communities that need it most. The Enphase IQ Battery offers customers reliable home energy technology, and we look forward to our continued partnership with PG&E to provide additional support for enhanced grid security solutions," saidDave Ranhoff, Chief Commercial Officer at Enphase Energy.
Progress to Date and Next Steps
Since October, working with Enphase as the battery provider andRichard Heath& Associates Inc. (RHA) as the contracted installer, PG&E has reached out to approximately 1,000 pre-qualified customers. The companies have completed approximately 100 site assessments and installed approximately 20 new home battery systems.
Participating customers will be auto enrolled in the PG&E Power Saver Rewards program, which provides customers with a bill credit during times of high electricity demand when they voluntarily reduce energy consumption and use energy stored in their battery systems. Learn more atpowersaver.pge.com.
Additional Customer Resiliency Resources
For customers served by EPSS-enabled circuits that are not eligible for a no-cost battery system through the Residential Storage Initiative, PG&E has resources available to help prepare for outages and stay safe, including the:
- Generator Rebate Programfor customers who rely on well water, customers in PG&E's Medical Baseline Program and certain small businesses.
- Portable Battery Programfor eligible customers in the Medical Baseline Program who live in high fire-threat areas or have experienced two or more Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) outages since 2020.
- Expansion of theBackup Power Transfer Meteroffering to all customers on EPSS-capable circuits, making it easier and safer for them to connect a generator.
- Self-Generation Incentive Program(SGIP) that PG&E administers statewide. Eligible customers have been installing permanent battery storage systems that if paired with solar can keep them powered through an outage at no or low cost to them. Customers can learn about the programhereand find a contractorhere.
Visitwww.pge.com/backuppowerto explore backup power options, fixed power solutions, and rebates.
About PG&E
PG&E, a subsidiary ofPG&E Corporation(NYSE:PCG),是一个结合天然气和电力serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern andCentral California. For more information, visitpge.comandpge.com/news
About Enphase Energy, Inc.
Enphase Energy, a global energy technology company based in Fremont, CA, is the world's leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems that enable people to harness the sun to make, use, save, and sell their own power—and control it all with a smart mobile app. The company revolutionized the solar industry with its microinverter-based technology and builds all-in-one solar, battery, and software solutions. Enphase has shipped more than 52 million microinverters, and over 2.7 million Enphase-based systems have been deployed in more than 145 countries. For more information, visit theEnphase websiteand follow the company onFacebook,LinkedInandTwitter.
SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company
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