The mission of the California Energy Commission (CEC) focuses on leading the state to a 100% clean energy future. As the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, the CEC is committed to reducing energy costs and environmental impacts of energy use while ensuring a safe, resilient, and reliable supply of energy.
This grant program is centered on making zero-emission behind-the-meter (BTM) backup power systems for existing residential buildings more affordable and faster to install. The focus is on reducing both the up-front costs associated with the power generation or storage sources and the balance-of-system (BOS) costs. BOS costs cover elements necessary for supporting and integrating the backup power system into existing buildings, such as wiring, control systems, equipment, installation labor, permits, and engineering design. The initiative acknowledges the challenges in customizing backup power solutions for homes due to their diverse sizes and designs, aiming to simplify and expedite the process for selecting and installing these systems. The grant is open to public and private entities, excluding local publicly owned electric utilities, in aligning with CPUC Decision 12-05-037.