Skip to main content

Power For the People

In this episode – Power For the People . . .

People often ask me, "You work for a solar company; don’t you have solar on your home?”

Nope!

“With an astonished look, they exclaim, “Why not?”

Here’s the short answer: "I monitor our yearly electricity consumption, which totals approximately 2,500 kWh.”

For comparison, a Walmart Supercenter could use about 10,000 kWh daily on average.

Okay, I get it. Most people might not be familiar with this terminology; they only care about how much they're billed monthly.

Welcome back to On the Fly! Today, our virtual assistant, Professor Watts, will join us to discuss a program called Community Choice Aggregation, or CCA, that helps Californians choose a cleaner energy future with better rates.

San Diego County is known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant community. Now, the cities of Solana Beach, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos, and Vista are leading the way in sustainability thanks to their participation in a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program.

This is very recent. On May 1, 2021, The Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) began offering energy services, providing residents with cleaner energy, competitive rates, local programs, and local control. In July 2022, CEA expanded into the cities of Oceanside and Vista.

What exactly is CCA?

Professor Watts: Community Choice Aggregation allows communities to join forces and buy electricity. This gives residents more control over their energy source and potentially lower rates. Traditionally, your electricity comes from a big utility company; in San Diego County, it’s San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), but with CCA, communities have more autonomy.

That's an interesting explanation, Professor Watts! But how can CCA specifically benefit Vista residents?

Professor Watts: Here’s how it works:

Clean Energy Alliance purchases electricity directly from energy suppliers for residents and local businesses. San Diego Gas & Electric manages billing, transmission, and distribution, ensuring customers receive energy at competitive prices.

"OK, but what are the financial advantages for residents?"

Patrick: Here’s a direct example from our most recent SDG&E bill. Our utility rate for electricity is about $0.41 per kWh, while our CCA rate varies between $0.05 and $0.13 per kWh, depending on time-of-day usage.

How is this possible?

Residents benefit from lower rates with the CCA provider because they buy electricity in bulk as a community. Additionally, some CCA plans offer more renewable energy, which might cost a bit more but allows residents to support clean energy sources directly.

That’s a win-win in my book! Investment-wise, owning a rooftop solar system does not provide a better electricity rate. Rooftop solar benefits its owner during peak production hours, typically 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The highest rates charged by the utility are from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. When you're not using the power generated by your solar system at home, it is sent to the grid for the utility to sell to others on demand. Since you're connected to the grid, you will be billed by the utility at a higher rate. Check your utility bill for the On-Peak rate to see the difference.

How can local residents discover more and potentially switch to a CCA provider?

Click the link to view the Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) provider. The provider offers detailed information on plans, pricing, and a straightforward enrollment process.

Thanks, Professor Watts, for that breakdown! Residents of San Diego County, if you're interested in cleaner, potentially cheaper electricity, explore the options offered by the Clean Energy Alliance.

Remember, with CCA, you can choose a greener future for your city!

Power for the People!

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. I'll see you in the next episode.

Labels:

Comments

Anonymous said…
Thanks Patrick - a good simple explanation - keep up the good work. 0
May 18, 2024 at 12:25 PM
Post a Comment

Most Popular of All Time

A Heart Full of Thanks

Oh, the thanks I could think, and the thanks I could say! For the wonderful people who brightened my day. The first one is Lori, my wife, sweet and true, Who knows just the thing and knows just what to do. She whipped up a feast with a smile and a sigh, With corn on the cob and a steak cooked “On the Fly!” My neighbor, Steve, with a mischievous gleam, Said, “No fence work today! No work, it would seem! You’ll paint with some water, some colors so bright, And sign your new painting with all of your might!" I laughed and I said, “But I don’t know that skill! I’ll slap on some paint and see what sticks still!” Then there’s my friends on the Facebook machine, The best group of readers that ever was seen! They read all my blogs and they hear my podcasts, They send all their cheer that's built to last! And Billy and Linda. A Snoopy card in the mail. A wonderful surprise that was sure to prevail! From very good friends, a delightful new tale ! But the thanks didn't stop, no, not...
1 comment
Read more

History Isn’t a Museum

✨ In this episode, History Isn't a Museum—It's a River . . .   History isn't a museum—it's a river, and like it or not, we're already swimming in it. Its waters carry timeless lessons forward, flowing through each generation, waiting to be rediscovered . This profound realization struck me while reading Marcus Aurelius's Meditations . Imagine: a Roman emperor and philosopher two thousand years ago, writing notes that sound like advice from a modern mindfulness coach. When he says, "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength," it feels like he's speaking directly to us. The water may change, but the river is the same. Examining this writing with a fresh, childlike perspective and a wealth of experience, I realize how consistent human nature remains over time. Every generation faces familiar challenges, marked by frustration, peace, courage, faith, baseball, and the search for meaning across the ages...
1 comment
Read more

Lessons from 1872

In this episode, Lessons from 1872: Travel in the Age of No-WiFi . . .   Imagine having 80 days to explore the world, with no smartphones, no jet planes, and no money concerns. A thrilling thought, right? That’s the fantasy Jules Verne implies in his classic adventure, Around the World in 80 Days , and it's a question I've been pondering from my easy chair in Vista, California. This week’s On the Fly , we're traveling back in time with one of the most thrilling literary adventures ever written. Early on, it’s clear this is Phileas Fogg’s story—a man of clocks and calculations, whose every move is measured. His journey isn’t about discovery, but a bet—a mathematical challenge involving money, schedules, and perfect timing. But when you think he’s the engine of the story, someone else quietly steals the show. Meet Passepartout: The Heart of the Journey. Jean Passepartout, Fogg’s new valet, is Fogg’s complete opposite. A former circus acrobat seeking a quiet life, he joins Fo...
Post a Comment
Read more

You're Not Stuck

✨  In this episode, You’re not Stuck—you’re in a habit you forgot you built. One bad moment can ruin your day, but one habit can change your life. In this episode of On the Fly , discover how small, daily actions can rewire your mindset, replace negativity with possibilities, and even lift the people around you. Your 7-day challenge starts now. You’re Not Stuck—You’re Just in a Habit.  Yes, a single bad moment, a rough headline, or a tense conversation can throw off your entire day. Before you know it, your thoughts are spinning in a hamster wheel of frustration and negativity. Here’s the reality: you don’t have to stay on that wheel.  The secret isn’t a lightning bolt of motivation—it’s something quieter but far more powerful: habit. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle. Mindset doesn’t change through grand gestures—it changes through small, repeatable actions . Your brain is constantly building pathways—tiny roads tha...
1 comment
Read more