Sonoma Clean Power Rate Selection Guide
Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) is the Community Choice Aggregator serving roughly 230,000 electric accounts in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, California. As a CCA, SCP supplies electricity generation only (default CleanStart, 51% renewable, plus a 100% renewable EverGreen option) while PG&E delivers power, issues the consolidated bill, and owns the smart meters. All customer interval and billing data for SCP accounts flows through PG&E systems such as Green Button and Share My Data.
Sonoma Clean Power Rate Schedule Comparison
| Schedule | Type | Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 - Small General Service | Commercial (flat) | $0.06774 (winter) - $0.10958 (summer) /kWh generation | Small non-demand businesses wanting simple pricing |
| A6 - Small General Service TOU | Commercial (TOU) | $0.08043 - $0.12739 /kWh generation | Small businesses that can shift load off the 12-6 PM peak |
| A10 - Medium General Service | Commercial (demand) | $0.06622 - $0.10213 /kWh generation | Medium accounts with steady load |
| E19 - Medium General Service TOU | Commercial/Industrial | $0.02478 - $0.05382 /kWh + ~$12-13/kW demand | Medium loads able to manage peak demand |
| E20 - Large General Service | Industrial | $0.03299 - $0.05244 /kWh + ~$13-17/kW demand | Large 1,000+ kW loads at primary/transmission voltage |
| BEV - Business EV | EV (commercial) | $0.01984 - $0.25764 /kWh generation, no demand charge | EV charging that can target super-off-peak windows |
Market Overview
Under California's Community Choice Aggregation framework, SCP procures and sells electricity generation to customers in its territory while PG&E continues to own the wires, read the meters, and bill customers. Enrollment in SCP is automatic with an opt-out to PG&E generation; there is no competitive retail supplier market for these accounts beyond the SCP/PG&E choice and the CleanStart/EverGreen tiers.
Need to pull your actual usage data to compare rates? See the Sonoma Clean Power Data Access Guide →
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Options
Default CCA for Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. CleanStart (standard, 51% renewable, 91% carbon-free, priced competitively with PG&E generation) and EverGreen (premium, 100% local renewable, CleanStart + $0.025/kWh).
Current Rate Schedules
SCP commercial rates shown are generation-only charges effective February 1, 2026; PG&E delivery and transmission charges (and the PCIA/franchise fees, effective January 1, 2026) are billed separately and added on the same PG&E bill. SCP commercial schedules mirror the PG&E schedule names customers are assigned to (A1, A6, A10, E19, E20, plus the newer B-series 4-9 PM peak schedules and BEV). EverGreen adds $0.025/kWh to any CleanStart rate. All figures below are verified from SCP's published CleanStart commercial rate sheet.
Effective: February 1, 2026 · Full Tariff Book →
| Schedule | Type | Applicability | Structure | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 - Small General Service | commercial | Small non-demand commercial accounts; flat (non-TOU) energy pricing. | CleanStart generation, all usage: Summer (May-Oct) $0.10958/kWh; Winter (Nov-Apr) $0.06774/kWh. Generation only; PG&E delivery added separately. | $0.06774-$0.10958/kWh (generation only) |
| A6 - Small General Service (TOU) | commercial | Small commercial accounts electing time-of-use pricing. | CleanStart generation: Summer Peak $0.12739, Part-Peak $0.12614, Off-Peak $0.09082/kWh; Winter Part-Peak $0.08117, Off-Peak $0.08043/kWh. Peak 12-6 PM weekdays. | $0.08043-$0.12739/kWh (generation only) |
| A10 - Medium General Service | commercial | Medium demand-metered commercial accounts (secondary or primary voltage). | CleanStart generation, all usage: Summer Secondary $0.10213 / Primary $0.08611; Winter Secondary $0.07924 / Primary $0.06622 per kWh. No SCP generation demand charge (PG&E delivery demand charges apply). | $0.06622-$0.10213/kWh (generation only) |
| E19 - Medium General Service (TOU, demand) | commercial | Medium commercial/industrial accounts with TOU energy and demand charges; secondary, primary, or transmission voltage. | CleanStart generation (Secondary): Summer Peak/Part-Peak $0.05382, Off-Peak $0.04817/kWh; Winter Part-Peak $0.04572, Off-Peak $0.04505/kWh. SCP generation demand: ~$13.19-$13.35/kW summer (Secondary). | $0.02478-$0.05382/kWh + ~$12-13/kW demand (generation only) |
| E20 - Large General Service (TOU, demand) | industrial | Large commercial/industrial accounts (typically 1,000+ kW); secondary, primary, or transmission voltage. | CleanStart generation (Secondary): Summer Peak/Part-Peak $0.05244, Off-Peak $0.04683/kWh; Winter Part-Peak $0.04437, Off-Peak $0.04370/kWh. SCP generation demand: ~$12.71-$17.04/kW summer by voltage. | $0.03299-$0.05244/kWh + ~$13-17/kW demand (generation only) |
| B19 - Medium General Service (4-9 PM peak, TOU) | commercial | Medium commercial accounts on PG&E's newer 4-9 PM peak TOU structure. | CleanStart generation (Secondary): Summer Peak $0.11408, Part-Peak $0.07419, Off-Peak $0.04599/kWh; Winter Peak $0.08874, Off-Peak $0.04588/kWh. Summer Peak demand ~$20.88/kW (Secondary). | $0.04588-$0.11408/kWh + demand (generation only) |
| BEV - Business Electric Vehicle | ev | Commercial EV charging accounts (BEV1, BEV2S secondary, BEV2P primary/transmission). | CleanStart generation, no seasonal variation: Peak $0.24213-$0.25764, Off-Peak ~$0.04472-$0.05381, Super Off-Peak ~$0.01984-$0.02762/kWh. Peak 4-9 PM daily. | $0.01984-$0.25764/kWh (generation only) |
Rate Recommendations by Use Case
Small business / office (non-demand)
Small commercial accounts under ~75 kW on a flat or simple TOU generation schedule.
A1 offers simple flat seasonal generation pricing ($0.06774 winter / $0.10958 summer per kWh on CleanStart). A6 can lower bills for businesses that can shift load away from the 12-6 PM peak.
- Pull 12 months of 15-minute data via Green Button to test A1 vs A6 before switching
- Remember SCP rates are generation only — model PG&E delivery on top
- Consider EverGreen (+$0.025/kWh) only if 100% renewable supports a sustainability goal
Medium facility with demand (retail, light industrial)
Demand-metered medium accounts that can benefit from TOU energy and managing peak demand.
A10 suits steadier loads without heavy peak exposure; E19/B19 reward shifting load out of the afternoon/evening peak and can cut SCP generation demand charges (~$13/kW E19 secondary; ~$20.88/kW B19 summer peak).
- Analyze interval data to find your coincident peak before choosing E19 vs B19
- Battery storage or load-shifting can materially reduce demand charges
- Primary-voltage service carries lower generation rates if you own transformation
Large industrial / 1,000+ kW load
Large continuous loads served at primary or transmission voltage.
E20 provides the lowest SCP generation energy rates (Off-Peak as low as $0.03299/kWh at transmission voltage) but the highest demand charges (up to ~$17.04/kW). Total cost is dominated by demand and PG&E delivery, so peak management is critical.
- Take service at the highest available voltage to access lower rates
- Invest in interval-data-driven demand management and on-site generation/storage
- Use Share My Data API feeds to automate ongoing demand monitoring
Commercial EV charging / fleet depot
Sites with significant EV charging load wanting to optimize charging windows.
BEV schedules have no demand charge and a wide Super Off-Peak window (9 AM-2 PM) priced as low as ~$0.01984/kWh generation, but a steep 4-9 PM peak up to ~$0.25764/kWh. Charging behavior drives the bill.
- Schedule charging into the 9 AM-2 PM Super Off-Peak and overnight Off-Peak windows
- Avoid the 4-9 PM peak entirely where operationally possible
- Compare BEV1 vs BEV2S/2P based on connected load and voltage
Historical Rate Trends
SCP sets CleanStart generation rates by board action and updates its commercial rate sheet roughly annually, aligning with PG&E schedule changes. The current commercial rate sheet is effective February 1, 2026, with PG&E's PCIA/franchise fees updated January 1, 2026.
February 1, 2026
SCP published its current CleanStart commercial, agricultural, and lighting rate sheet, effective February 1, 2026.
n/aJanuary 1, 2026
PG&E updated PCIA and franchise fee surcharges applicable to CCA customers (billed alongside SCP generation).
n/aOverall trend: SCP positions CleanStart generation as consistently cost-competitive with PG&E's generation rates while offering higher renewable content. Year-over-year SCP rate movements track PG&E's generation cost trends and CCA procurement costs.
Next expected change: Next scheduled commercial rate sheet update expected around February 2027; PG&E delivery and PCIA charges adjust separately, typically each January.
Cost Optimization Strategies
Because SCP charges only for generation, C&I cost optimization centers on choosing the right PG&E/SCP schedule, shifting load out of peak windows, managing demand, and using PG&E interval data to validate the choice.
Right-size the rate schedule
For: All C&I accounts
Use 12 months of Green Button interval data to compare A1 vs A6, or E19 vs B19, and confirm the schedule matches your load shape and demand profile.
Shift load off peak
For: TOU accounts, EV charging, flexible processes
Move discretionary load out of the 12-6 PM (legacy) or 4-9 PM (B-series) peak into off-peak and super-off-peak windows where generation rates are far lower.
Manage peak demand
For: Demand-metered medium and large accounts
On E19/E20/B19, reduce coincident peak demand with staging, load curtailment, or battery storage to cut SCP generation demand charges (up to ~$17/kW) and PG&E delivery demand.
Participate in DR / efficiency programs
For: C&I with flexible load or efficiency projects
Enroll in GridSavvy Rewards (DR bill credits) and FLEXmarket pay-for-performance efficiency to monetize load flexibility and verified savings.
Evaluate EverGreen vs CleanStart
For: Accounts with clean-energy commitments
EverGreen adds a flat $0.025/kWh for 100% local renewable energy; weigh the premium against sustainability/RPS goals rather than cost savings.
To implement these strategies, you need your 15-minute interval data. Learn how to download Sonoma Clean Power interval data →
Deregulated Market Shopping
SCP's territory is not a fully competitive retail market. The only 'shopping' decisions are between SCP generation (default) and PG&E generation (opt-out), and within SCP between the standard CleanStart and premium EverGreen tiers. There are no independent competitive retail electricity suppliers for these accounts.
How to Compare Sonoma Clean Power Suppliers
- 01Default: accounts are auto-enrolled in SCP CleanStart
- 02Opt up to EverGreen (100% renewable, +$0.025/kWh) at https://sonomacleanpower.org/evergreen
- 03Opt out to PG&E generation at https://sonomacleanpower.org/opt-out
- 04Compare SCP vs PG&E generation costs using the PG&E-SCP Joint Rate Comparison
Contract Terms for Sonoma Clean Power Supply Agreements
- No fixed-term contracts; CleanStart and EverGreen are month-to-month
- Opting out to PG&E may involve a transitional bundled-service waiting period per CPUC rules
- PG&E delivery, transmission, and PCIA/franchise charges apply regardless of generation choice
Common Pitfalls When Shopping Sonoma Clean Power Rates
- The PCIA (Power Charge Indifference Adjustment) and franchise fees reduce the net savings of CCA service and are set by PG&E/CPUC
- SCP rates are generation only — always model total delivered cost including PG&E delivery
- EverGreen is a premium, not a savings option
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a commercial customer of Sonoma Clean Power get interval usage data?▾
SCP does not hold meter data — PG&E does. A business pulls up to 4 years of 15-minute interval data via Green Button Download My Data in the PG&E Energy Data Hub, or authorizes a vendor for automated API access through PG&E Share My Data (OpenESPI/OAuth). Latency is roughly 2 business days.
Are SCP rates cheaper than PG&E for businesses?▾
SCP's CleanStart generation charges are set to be cost-competitive with PG&E's generation charges while delivering 51% renewable, 91% carbon-free power. However, PG&E still bills delivery, transmission, and the PCIA/franchise fees on the same statement, so the net difference depends on those surcharges. Use the PG&E-SCP Joint Rate Comparison to evaluate your schedule.
What does EverGreen cost a commercial account?▾
EverGreen adds a flat $0.025/kWh to whatever CleanStart commercial rate applies, in exchange for 100% locally generated renewable energy day and night. SCP estimates this is about $29/month more for an average small business. It is a sustainability premium, not a cost-saving option.
Which commercial schedule should a demand-metered facility choose?▾
Medium demand-metered sites typically choose A10 (steady loads), E19 (legacy 12-6 PM TOU + demand), or B19 (newer 4-9 PM peak). Large 1,000+ kW loads use E20. Because these carry SCP generation demand charges (up to ~$17/kW) plus PG&E delivery demand, analyze your interval data to pick the schedule and manage coincident peak.
Can a third party access SCP account data via API?▾
Yes, through PG&E's Share My Data program, which explicitly lists Community Choice Aggregators as eligible. The vendor registers with PG&E, the customer authorizes via OAuth 2.0, and the vendor retrieves 15-minute interval and billing data via the OpenESPI API. SCP has no separate developer API.
Does SCP support EV charging rates for fleets?▾
Yes. SCP mirrors PG&E's Business EV (BEV) schedules — BEV1, BEV2S, BEV2P — which carry no demand charge but a steep 4-9 PM peak (up to ~$0.25764/kWh generation) and a low 9 AM-2 PM super-off-peak (~$0.01984/kWh). Charging strategy drives the bill.
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