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.
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
For any general questions or comments or to be put on a list to receive program updates, please contact the CLEAN representative at (650) 329-2241 or by e-mail to PAClean@cityofpaloalto.org
For questions regarding building permits and inspections, please contact the Development Center at (650) 329-2496. To email the Building Division directly, contact building@cityofpaloalto.org
For questions regarding generator interconnection, please contact the Electric Engineering Division at (650) 566-4502.