Clean Power SF reports steady enrollment, previews Super Green Saver and storage procurements

Clean Power SF officials reported steady enrollment and outlined new customer and procurement plans at the January 2022 Local Agency Formation Commission meeting.

Mike Himes, director of Clean Power SF for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s power enterprise, said the program serves roughly 385,000 customer accounts and maintains a 4.2% opt‑out rate. "There are about 9,000 customer accounts that are enrolled in net metering within the city," Himes said, describing the role of net‑metering credits in balancing customer generation and usage.

Marketing and communications manager Peter Galata summarized a late‑2021 campaign called "Be Powerful," which ran Nov. 15 through Jan. 14 and targeted renters, low‑income households and communities of color. "We saw over 1,000,000 ad impressions or views of those ads, as well as over a 100,000 video impressions of the video," Galata said, and added that a consultant will provide more detailed analysis.

Himes reviewed customer programs and pilots: the GoSolar SF incentives, a new low‑income inverter replacement program for previously installed systems, and the voluntary peak day pricing (PDP) pilot for large commercial accounts. He said PDP enrollment increased to 31 accounts in 2021 (a 55% increase from 2020) and that Clean Power SF distributed about $47,123 in end‑of‑season incentives to participants.

On programs meant to serve disadvantaged communities, Himes said Clean Power SF will administer CPUC‑authorized DAC programs under a branded "Super Green Saver" product; the program aims to enroll about 400–500 low‑income customers in eligible census tracts and offer a 20% discount funded by state ratepayer monies. He noted an October 2021 CalEnviroScreen update changed the identity of some qualifying tracts but did not alter the total number of eligible customers.

On power procurement and storage, Himes said the SFPUC shortlisted bidders (notified Jan. 14) for long‑term renewable supplies, expects to move into contract negotiations in spring and seek approvals to execute contracts in late spring or early summer, and plans a short‑term contract to support the Super Green Saver launch. He also described a new long‑duration energy storage procurement (the Tumbleweed Project) and said the joint powers agency is targeting about 15–25 megawatts of new long‑duration storage capacity.

Commissioners asked how the California Public Utilities Commission’s pending NEM3 proposal might affect local solar adoption and Clean Power SF customers. Himes said the CPUC’s NEM3 work has been paused for further discussion and that the SFPUC can design its own net‑metering program; he cautioned, however, that some bill components administered by PG&E could change over time for new solar customers.

During public comment, Eric Brooks of Our City San Francisco and Californians for Energy Choice praised the outreach but sharply criticized the CPUC and investor‑owned utilities, saying the commission has been "completely co‑opted by PG&E" and urging LAFCO to push a more ambitious local build‑out plan. David Pilfeld also commented to thank staff and note a recent PUC resignation.

The Clean Power SF update was informational; the commission took no formal action on the report.