Community Power launches 2026 clean energy grants cycle, grantees report local impacts

San Diego Community Power staff on Feb. 26 outlined the fourth cycle of the Community Clean Energy Grants, describing a two‑track approach that separates infrastructure projects from programming to better evaluate technical feasibility and community impact.

Senior community engagement manager Cielmalis Crespo said the 2026 cycle will award more than $750,000 in grants, with Track 1 (infrastructure) ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 and Track 2 (programming) ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. Applications are due March 6, 2026 at 5 p.m. via Foundant, and proposals will be reviewed by a joint evaluation committee from the funding partners using conflict‑of‑interest and scoring guidelines that include funding alignment, regional environmental impact, feasibility, and community served.

Two prior grantees described how the program worked in practice. Kim Frink, board president of the Suncoast Market Co‑op in Imperial Beach, said a 2024 clean energy grant and participation in the healthy refrigeration program enabled energy‑efficient coolers and all‑electric commercial kitchen equipment for the new store, supporting operations and educational programming. “We are a community owned and governed grocery store...through our grant, we were able to purchase electric convection oven, electric range, electric water heater,” Frink said, describing tours and training to promote electrification in regional commercial kitchens.

Frida Vergara, a senior and paid intern with San Diego 350, described a youth‑led South Bay clean energy education program that pilots curriculum with nine interdisciplinary teachers and aims in year two to educate roughly 1,800 students across three high schools while hiring three interns and engaging about 2,000 community members.

Board members thanked staff and grantees and received the item; there were no public comments opposing the program.