July 24--Southern California Edison announced a proposal Friday to purchase almost 105 megawatts of renewable power as part of the utility's effort to meet state requirements for broader use of energy sources such as solar.
The utility also is seeking 50 megawatts of solar resources to support the launch of its Green Rate program. The Green Rate program is part of the Green Tariff Shared Renewables program created for Edison, Pacific Gas Electric Co. and San Diego Gas Electric.
The Green Tariff program allows customers unable to obtain rooftop solar to meet 50% to 100% of their electricity use from other solar resources. The customer pays the difference in the cost to purchase this power.
Edison will offer the program to its customers in 2016.
"Not only are we making progress toward the California Renewables Portfolio Standard goal of delivering 33% renewable power by 2020, but with this solicitation we also intend to provide customers who cannot otherwise install solar on their roof an option to source their energy demands directly from solar resources," said Colin Cushnie, Edison's vice president of Energy Procurement Management.
The deadline for submitting offers is Aug. 21.
Edison's purchase power request is its sixth under the state's Renewable Auction Mechanism program.
In 2011, the California Public Utilities Commission adopted the program to promote competition, encourage development of renewable energy and contribute to the state's Renewables Portfolio Standard.
The power purchase agreements must be reviewed and approved by the utilities commission.
