ZeroCity's Community Solar Initiative
Introduction
ZeroCity LLC is working with Pacific Gas and Electric to have ZeroCity's "Community Solar Initiative" included in their PG&E's Regional Solar Choice Program. Regional Solar Choice is Green-e Energy certified, and meets the environmental and consumer-protection standards set forth by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. Under the California Enhanced Community Renewables program, renewable energy project developers take on the responsibility for marketing electricity product(s) directly to customers, who would normally receive this type of information from their utility. Green-e Energy provides third-party verification that the end customer receives accurate and sufficient disclosures.
Green-e Energy is North America’s leading voluntary certification program for renewable energy. Since 1997, Green-e Energy has certified renewable energy that meets environmental and consumer protection standards that it developed in conjunction with leading environmental, energy and policy organizations. Green-e Energy requires that sellers of certified renewable energy disclose clear and useful information to potential customers, allowing consumers to make informed choices.
Green-e Energy Certification Process
The ZeroCity Community Solar Initiative program is required to be Green-e Energy-certified, as administered by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. Since 1997, Green-e Energy has certified renewable energy that meets environmental and consumer protection standards that it developed in conjunction with leading environmental, energy and policy organizations. Green-e Energy requires that sellers of certified renewable energy disclose clear and useful information to potential customers, allowing consumers to make informed choices. Green-e Energy certification provides consumers with assurance that the product sold under ZeroCity Community Solar Initiative meets the Green-e Energy national standard, is not double counted and is marketed in a clear and accurate way for customers. The ZeroCity Community Solar initiative program has achieved Green-e Energy certification.
The Green-e Energy Certification process includes the following elements of certification:
- All marketing materials are pre-screened by the utility. The developer must provide documentation to the utility that certain materials were distributed to prospects and purchasers.
- Both the utility and the developer abide by applicable sections of the Green-e Code of Conduct (www.green-e.org/coc).
- An auditor, paid for by the utility, reviews all supply and sales associated with the utility’s certified product to ensure that the product complies with the Green-e Energy National Standard (www.greene.org/standard). During this audit, the auditor also reviews all of the developer’s marketing materials. The auditor provides all audited materials to Green-e Energy for further review
- The auditor’s report includes confirmation that required language was sent to customers, providing verification that consumers are fully informed about the nature of the product they are purchasing.
- Green-e checks the audit as well as the marketing materials provided for accuracy based on the Green-e Energy Code of Conduct requirements and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules.
Contact Green-e Energy for more information: energy@green-e.org, or call 415.561.2100
Green-e for Businesses and Products
By engaging in this program you may be eligible to enroll in Green-e for Businesses and Products. Green-e for Businesses and Products is committed to helping Green-e Energy customers tell their sustainability stories. For over a decade, Green-e has been working with leading companies and products that use renewable energy and equipping them with recognition, promotional, and communication tools to market their sustainability efforts to customers and stakeholders. Green-e currently certifies companies, facilities, products, electric vehicles, printing and paper supply, and events. For more information on Greene’s business and marketing solutions, email: marketplace@green-e.org or call 415.561.2100.
How the ZeroCity Community Solar Initiative Program Works
Under PG&E's Regional Solar Choice program, the customer will sign up for a block of kilowatts through ZeroCity LLC. In turn, PG&E will sign a contract with ZeroCity LLC to purchase the output from the facility. In exchange the customer will receive a bill from ZeroCity LLC for their portion of the facility output, and a bill from PG&E that includes a credit associated with the solar energy they are purchasing from ZeroCity LLC.
Contact ZeroCity LLC
For more information about ZeroCity LLC and the ZeroCity Community Solar Initiative, please call 831.426.4557 or email the program manager at mcarver@zero.city.