What is an Advanced Energy Community?
Our Advanced Energy Community project provides the opportunity for residents to make their home more efficient to reduce energy use, and to purchase solar energy from a community-scale solar project, to create a community in which enough local energy is produced to meet local needs.
California is taking the lead on climate change planning. The state has set aggressive but doable goals to double energy efficiency in buildings and get 50% of its electricity from renewable sources in coming decades. All Californians must help meet these goals.
How?
The California Energy Commission awarded the University of California Los Angeles and the non-profit organization The Energy Coalition, a grant to design a community that would make as much electricity as it consumes through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy resources. With the support of Los Angeles County and Supervisor Solis’ Office, this Advanced Energy Community is designed to provide direct health and financial benefits to participating residents, building owners, and the community as a whole.
Nationwide, buildings (our homes and places of work) consume 77% of our electricity. Most of that electricity is produced by burning coal and natural gas, which contribute to climate change. Climate change is increasing the likelihood of heat waves and droughts in the San Gabriel Valley.
Nationwide, buildings (our homes and places of work) consume 77% of our electricity. Most of that electricity is produced by burning coal and natural gas, which contribute to climate change. Climate change is increasing the likelihood of heat waves and droughts in the San Gabriel Valley.
A Two Step Approach
1. Reducing the energy wasted in heating and cooling our homes is the best way to reduce electricity use. By creating a more energy efficient home, less energy is required to keep the same comfortable indoor temperature.
Typical Home Improvements:
A: Sealing Air Leaks and Adding Insulation B: Improving Heating and Cooling Systems
C: Sealing Ductwork D: Replacing Windows
E: Upgrading Lighting and Appliances F: Joining Community Solar
A: Sealing Air Leaks and Adding Insulation B: Improving Heating and Cooling Systems
C: Sealing Ductwork D: Replacing Windows
E: Upgrading Lighting and Appliances F: Joining Community Solar
2. Creating a local Solar Community allows residents access to purchase renewable energy, eliminating the use of fossil fuels that cause climate change. This is especially beneficial to residents of multi-family buildings, renters, and others who cannot install solar on their own rooftops for various reasons.
1) Community Solar generates energy: Solar installed on LA County property and possibly schools, generates clean, renewable solar energy.
2) Community Solar energy delivered onto utility grid: The Community Solar is connected to the utility grid, supplementing their power supply.
3) Utility continues to power your home: Your utility provider continues to deliver power to your home.
4) Receive your utility bill: You will continue to receive a utility bill as you normally do, but now you will be paying the rate to purchase electricity generated by the Community Solar, which will be lower than what you used to pay.
5) Pay for energy use and energy efficiency upgrades: Your utility bill will also include an amount to pay back the energy efficiency home upgrades. The total amount of this payback plus the lower electricity rate will still be lower than, or equal to, what you paid before subscribing.
2) Community Solar energy delivered onto utility grid: The Community Solar is connected to the utility grid, supplementing their power supply.
3) Utility continues to power your home: Your utility provider continues to deliver power to your home.
4) Receive your utility bill: You will continue to receive a utility bill as you normally do, but now you will be paying the rate to purchase electricity generated by the Community Solar, which will be lower than what you used to pay.
5) Pay for energy use and energy efficiency upgrades: Your utility bill will also include an amount to pay back the energy efficiency home upgrades. The total amount of this payback plus the lower electricity rate will still be lower than, or equal to, what you paid before subscribing.
Technical Advisory Committee
Partner Organizations
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