Palo Alto CLEAN

Palo Alto CLEAN (Clean Local Energy Accessible Now) is a program to purchase electricity generated by renewable energy generation systems located in CPAU’s service territory, which coincides with the city boundaries. Programs like this, known in the industry as "feed-in tariff" programs, involve a utility paying a fixed price (tariff) for the power that is "fed into" their electric grid from local generation systems.

Program Update

On May 27, 2015 the Palo Alto City Council approved changes to Palo Alto CLEAN, including adding the option for a 25-year contract term and opening up the program to non-solar renewable energy generation technologies. CPAU is offering to purchase the output of new renewable electric generation systems located in Palo Alto at the following prices: 1) for solar energy resources at 16.5 cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh) for a 20-year or 25-year contract term, and 2) for non-solar eligible renewable energy resources at 9.3 c/kWh for a 20-year contract term and 9.4 c/kWh for a 25-year contract term. The program has a 3 MW cap for solar energy resources and a separate 3 MW cap for non-solar eligible renewable energy resources. There is no minimum or maximum project size.  Applications will be accepted in the order received. Please see the Program Handbook and Application Package below for more details.

Current Program Status

  • 3 MW of capacity currently available. No applications in process.
  • Applications may be submitted by e-mail only.  Send your application to PAClean@cityofpaloalto.org  
  • Applications will be accepted in the order received.
  • Please carefully review the Program Handbook to understand the application rules, particularly Section 2.  In the event the program is oversubscribed, failing to submit all necessary information may mean you do not receive a contract. 

Additional Information

Program Documents

Other Useful Information

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2015