Clean Power Alliance (CPA) is launching a virtual power plant initiative to provide free solar and battery storage for 300 low-income households in partnership with Haven Energy. This new program from the CPA electric provider is open to customers eligible for CARE or FERA assistance.
Similar projects have successfully reduced electricity bills by over 50%. CPA expects this initiative to deliver comparable savings while generating localized clean energy and strengthening the grid.
Advancing Energy Equity
CPA’s board chair, Deborah Klein Lopez, emphasized the importance of making clean energy accessible to all. “Expanding clean energy requires intentional actions. I am proud of CPA for leading programs that strengthen energy reliability. I thank my fellow board members for making equitable access a reality.”
The program eliminates upfront costs for participants, who will take full ownership of their installed systems after five years at no additional cost.
Ted Bardacke, CPA’s Chief Executive Officer, highlighted how the program enhances energy resilience. “CPA is taking another step in managing peak energy demand while lowering costs. This new solar program gives low-income customers an affordable way to transition to clean energy.”
Each participating home will receive a system with 5kW of solar photovoltaic power and 20kWh of battery storage. A minimum of 20% of the battery’s capacity will be reserved for backup power during outages.
How the Virtual Power Plant Works
The program includes the installation of a virtual power plant—a system that connects multiple energy devices to balance energy supply and demand. This VPP will provide 4.8MWh of power to reduce peak demand. CPA estimates this will save the organization more than $380,000 in resource adequacy costs over the first three years.
Haven Energy, which specializes in working with community choice aggregators (CCAs) like CPA, will leverage federal tax credits and incentives to cover installation costs. “This collaboration is a game-changer,” said Vinnie Campo, CEO of Haven Energy. “Zero-cost solar and battery systems will make low-income households more resilient against outages and rising energy costs.”
Expanding the Impact of Clean Energy
CPA is also considering an expansion of the initiative to multifamily properties. The organization has increased its customer program investment by more than 30% for fiscal year 2024-25, and this funding will support new initiatives designed to help customers save on energy bills, conserve electricity, and transition from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives.
Clean Power Alliance provides renewable energy to 33 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, serving three million residents and businesses with affordable, green electricity. CPA is the fourth-largest electricity provider in California and the leading green power provider in the United States.
Haven Energy is a climate technology company focused on expanding distributed energy resources in underserved communities. The company deploys solar and battery systems for residential and small commercial customers, integrating these systems into virtual power plants to help customers reduce electricity costs while improving grid stability.