San Diego Community Power Rate Selection Guide
San Diego Community Power (SDCP) is a not-for-profit Community Choice Aggregator (a Joint Powers Authority) that supplies electric generation to roughly 942,000 customer accounts across San Diego County. SDCP provides the generation supply while SDG&E continues to deliver power, read meters, issue the single monthly bill, and act as data custodian — so all programmatic billing and interval data access flows through SDG&E's Green Button and Share My Data systems.
San Diego Community Power Rate Schedule Comparison
| Schedule | Type | Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOU-A (Secondary) PowerOn | Small Commercial | $0.13449/kWh generation | Small businesses on secondary voltage under ~1,200 kWh/mo |
| TOU-M PowerOn | Medium Commercial | $0.13057/kWh generation | Mid-size facilities ~8,000 kWh/mo with moderate demand |
| AL-TOU (Secondary) PowerOn | Medium/Large Commercial | $0.17708/kWh generation | Larger commercial loads with significant demand (60+ kW) |
| AL-TOU2 (Secondary) PowerOn | Industrial | $0.17260/kWh generation | High-usage industrial sites (50,000+ kWh/mo) |
| Power100 (any schedule) | Premium renewable | PowerOn + $0.01/kWh | Customers with 100% renewable / RECs procurement goals |
| PowerBase (any schedule) | Lowest cost | ~10% below SDG&E generation | Cost-focused customers wanting the cheapest generation option |
Market Overview
Under California Community Choice Aggregation, SDCP automatically enrolls customers in its default PowerOn plan for electric generation, while SDG&E provides delivery, metering, and billing. Customers choose among SDCP plans (PowerBase, PowerOn, Power100, Power100 Green+) or can opt out back to SDG&E generation. This is partial choice between the CCA and the incumbent utility, not open retail competition among many suppliers.
Need to pull your actual usage data to compare rates? See the San Diego Community Power Data Access Guide →
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Options
The default CCA generation provider for member communities; offers PowerBase (lowest cost), PowerOn (standard, default), Power100 (100% renewable, +$0.01/kWh), and Power100 Green+ (Green-e certified) plans.
Current Rate Schedules
SDCP sets only the generation portion of the bill; SDG&E delivery, PCIA, and franchise fees apply on top regardless of provider. The representative C&I generation rates below are from the SDG&E-SDCP Joint Rate Comparison (SDCP generation rates effective February 1, 2025; SDG&E delivery effective June 1, 2025). PowerOn is the standard/default plan; Power100 adds a flat $0.01/kWh premium; PowerBase is the lowest-cost option (~10% below SDG&E generation).
Effective: February 1, 2025 · Full Tariff Book →
| Schedule | Type | Applicability | Structure | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOU-A (Secondary) — Small Commercial PowerOn | commercial | Small commercial customers on secondary voltage; default PowerOn plan. Representative average usage 1,167 kWh/mo, 5.4 kW demand. | Time-of-use generation rate; SDCP PowerOn generation $0.13449/kWh (PowerBase $0.13185, Power100 $0.14449). SDG&E delivery $0.27019/kWh and franchise fees apply on top. | $0.13449/kWh generation (PowerOn); ~$0.40118/kWh all-in+ Per SDG&E TOU-A delivery schedule (demand-based components billed by SDG&E) |
| TOU-A2 (Secondary) — Small Commercial PowerOn | commercial | Small commercial secondary-voltage accounts with higher usage (rep. 2,955 kWh/mo, 8.3 kW). | TOU generation; SDCP PowerOn $0.13260/kWh (Power100 $0.14260). SDG&E delivery $0.20796/kWh plus franchise fees. | $0.13260/kWh generation (PowerOn); ~$0.33635/kWh all-in+ Billed via SDG&E TOU-A2 delivery schedule |
| TOU-M — Commercial PowerOn | commercial | Medium commercial accounts (rep. 8,259 kWh/mo, 27.8 kW demand). | TOU generation; SDCP PowerOn $0.13057/kWh (Power100 $0.14057). SDG&E delivery $0.17268/kWh plus franchise fees. | $0.13057/kWh generation (PowerOn); ~$0.29863/kWh all-in+ Billed via SDG&E TOU-M delivery schedule |
| AL-TOU (Secondary) — Medium/Large Commercial PowerOn | commercial | Medium/large commercial accounts on secondary voltage (rep. 24,692 kWh/mo, 67.6 kW demand). | TOU generation; SDCP PowerOn $0.17708/kWh (PowerBase $0.17365, Power100 $0.18708). SDG&E delivery $0.21364/kWh plus franchise fees. | $0.17708/kWh generation (PowerOn); ~$0.38244/kWh all-in+ Billed via SDG&E AL-TOU delivery schedule |
| AL-TOU2 (Secondary) — Large Commercial/Industrial PowerOn | industrial | Large commercial/industrial secondary-voltage accounts (rep. 60,902 kWh/mo, 146.6 kW demand). | TOU generation; SDCP PowerOn $0.17260/kWh (Power100 $0.18260). SDG&E delivery $0.17381/kWh plus franchise fees. | $0.17260/kWh generation (PowerOn); ~$0.33763/kWh all-in+ Billed via SDG&E AL-TOU2 delivery schedule |
| TOU-PA — Agricultural PowerOn | agricultural | Agricultural accounts (rep. 767 kWh/mo, 6.0 kW demand). | TOU generation; SDCP PowerOn $0.12364/kWh (Power100 $0.13364). SDG&E delivery $0.16172/kWh plus franchise fees. | $0.12364/kWh generation (PowerOn); ~$0.27961/kWh all-in+ Billed via SDG&E TOU-PA delivery schedule |
| EV-HP (Secondary) — Commercial EV Fast Charging PowerOn | ev | Commercial high-power EV charging accounts (rep. 74,430 kWh/mo). | TOU generation; SDCP PowerOn $0.09458/kWh (Power100 $0.10458). SDG&E delivery $0.12267/kWh plus franchise fees. | $0.09458/kWh generation (PowerOn); ~$0.20703/kWh all-in+ EV-HP uses a subscription/grace-period structure billed by SDG&E in lieu of standard demand charges |
Rate Recommendations by Use Case
Small commercial office or retail
Small secondary-voltage businesses default to TOU-A on the PowerOn plan. Evaluate PowerBase for the lowest generation cost.
PowerOn is the auto-enrolled default; PowerBase shaves ~10% off generation with similar renewable content to SDG&E.
- Pull 13 months of Green Button data to confirm load shape
- Compare PowerBase vs PowerOn using SDCP's bill comparison calculator
- Confirm the SDG&E delivery schedule matches your usage pattern
Medium commercial facility
Mid-size facilities on TOU-M or AL-TOU should optimize both the SDCP plan and the SDG&E demand schedule.
At these loads, demand charges in the SDG&E delivery component become material, so schedule selection matters as much as the generation plan.
- Analyze interval data for peak-demand drivers
- Consider load shifting or battery storage to cut demand charges
- Stay on PowerOn unless renewable goals justify Power100's +$0.01/kWh
Large industrial / high-usage site
Large AL-TOU2 industrial accounts should combine PowerOn (or PowerBase) with rigorous demand management and consider Green Button Connect for continuous monitoring.
At 50,000+ kWh/mo, small per-kWh and demand differences compound into large dollar impacts; data-driven optimization is essential.
- Set up Green Button Connect My Data for automated interval feeds
- Target summer on-peak demand reduction
- Model PowerBase vs PowerOn savings against any renewable commitments
Sustainability-driven enterprise
Organizations with 100% renewable or RECs commitments should opt up to Power100 or Power100 Green+ (Green-e certified) across their accounts.
Power100 delivers 100% renewable generation for a flat $0.01/kWh premium; Green+ adds Green-e certification for verifiable claims.
- Quantify the +$0.01/kWh premium against your total kWh
- Use Green+ where third-party-certified claims are required
- Document RECs retirement for ESG/CSR reporting
Commercial EV fleet / charging operator
EV charging sites should use the EV-HP schedule and authorize automated interval data feeds to manage charging cost.
EV-HP's subscription-based delivery structure plus low PowerOn generation ($0.09458/kWh) keeps all-in cost near $0.21/kWh.
- Schedule charging away from on-peak windows
- Use Green Button Connect for fleet-level monitoring
- Right-size the EV-HP subscription level to actual peak demand
Historical Rate Trends
SDCP, as a not-for-profit CCA, has positioned its rates to beat SDG&E generation and has reduced charges in consecutive years. SDCP updated generation rates effective February 1, 2025; SDG&E adjusted delivery rates effective June 1, 2025.
February 1, 2025
SDCP updated its generation rates effective February 1, 2025, maintaining its discount to SDG&E generation across residential and C&I schedules.
n/aJanuary 1, 2026
SDCP nonresidential rates (2022v) approved by the Board of Directors and made effective January 1, 2026.
n/aOverall trend: SDCP has decreased its electricity generation charges in consecutive years while maintaining a discount to SDG&E generation; SDG&E delivery rates have continued to rise.
Next expected change: SDCP generation rates are reviewed annually by its Board of Directors (typically effective at the start of the year); SDG&E delivery adjustments occur periodically through CPUC proceedings.
Cost Optimization Strategies
Because SDG&E delivery is fixed across providers, C&I cost optimization for SDCP customers centers on selecting the right generation plan, optimizing the SDG&E TOU/demand delivery schedule, and shifting load — all informed by Green Button interval data.
Choose the right SDCP plan
For: All C&I accounts
Default PowerOn customers seeking lower cost can opt to PowerBase (~10% below SDG&E generation); those with renewable mandates can opt to Power100 (+$0.01/kWh) or Power100 Green+.
Optimize the SDG&E delivery schedule
For: Commercial & industrial
Generation is only part of the bill; ensure the account is on the most favorable SDG&E TOU/demand delivery schedule for its load shape, since delivery often exceeds generation cost.
Shift load off summer on-peak
For: TOU commercial/industrial
Use 15-minute Green Button data to identify and shift consumption away from summer on-peak periods where TOU generation and delivery rates spike.
Manage peak demand
For: Demand-metered C&I
Use interval data and demand management (batteries, controls) to reduce the monthly peak kW that drives SDG&E demand charges.
To implement these strategies, you need your 15-minute interval data. Learn how to download San Diego Community Power interval data →
Deregulated Market Shopping
San Diego County is not an open retail-choice market. Under California's CCA framework, customers in SDCP's member communities are automatically enrolled with SDCP for generation and choose between SDCP's plans or opting out back to SDG&E (bundled) generation. There is no broad field of competing retail electric suppliers as in deregulated states.
How to Compare San Diego Community Power Suppliers
- 01Review the SDG&E-SDCP Joint Rate Comparison for your rate schedule
- 02Choose among SDCP plans: PowerBase (lowest cost), PowerOn (default), Power100, or Power100 Green+
- 03Use SDCP's bill comparison calculator to estimate each plan
- 04Opt up, opt down, or opt out (back to SDG&E generation) at any time via SDCP or SDG&E
Contract Terms for San Diego Community Power Supply Agreements
- No fixed-term contracts — customers may change plans or opt out at any time
- SDCP rates set annually by its Board of Directors
- Opting out to SDG&E may involve a transition/return timeline per CCA rules
Common Pitfalls When Shopping San Diego Community Power Rates
- Opting out only changes the generation provider — SDG&E delivery, PCIA, and franchise fees still apply
- PCIA differs between SDCP and SDG&E and affects the true all-in comparison
- 'Cheapest generation rate' does not always mean cheapest total bill; compare all-in costs
Frequently Asked Questions
As a commercial SDCP customer, where do I get my interval data?▾
Through SDG&E, not SDCP. Log into My Energy Center, open the Usage tab, and use Green Button Download for 15-minute or hourly CSV/XML data (up to 13 months), or authorize a third-party platform via Green Button Connect My Data (Share My Data) for recurring OAuth-based access.
Does SDCP offer its own API for energy or billing data?▾
No. SDCP does not provide a customer-facing API. All programmatic data access runs through SDG&E's Green Button Connect My Data (NAESB ESPI / OAuth 2.0) for interval data and SDG&E EDI 810 for billing. SDCP appears only as a generation line item on the SDG&E bill.
How does a consultant or energy manager get authorized to access our data?▾
Use SDG&E's Consent to Share hub to file a Letter of Authorization, or have the customer add the firm as a delegate in My Energy Center. For recurring interval data, the easiest path is the customer authorizing a pre-approved third-party app through Green Button Connect My Data.
Can we get automated billing data feeds for our C&I accounts?▾
Yes. Enroll as an EDI trading partner with SDG&E to receive 810 invoice transactions (and 820 remittance). This requires a Trading Partner Agreement and a VAN or direct SFTP connection; VAN service typically runs around $200-500/month plus per-transaction fees.
Which SDCP service plan are commercial customers placed on by default?▾
Most commercial customers are automatically enrolled in PowerOn, SDCP's standard plan (51.1% renewable + 4.3% carbon-free as of the Feb 2025 rate set). Customers can opt up to Power100 (100% renewable, +$0.01/kWh) or Power100 Green+ (Green-e certified), opt down to PowerBase (lowest cost, ~10% below SDG&E generation), or opt out entirely back to SDG&E generation. Customers in Encinitas are default-enrolled in Power100.
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