Clean Energy
Switch your home or business to a cleaner energy source by purchasing electricity through Ava Community Energy or installing a solar power system.
Ava Community Energy
Ava Community Energy (formerly East Bay Community Energy) is our community-governed, local power supplier that provides cleaner electricity to residents and businesses in Berkeley, Alameda County and beyond.
Ava offers two different electricity services:
- Bright Choice, the basic plan, costs less than PG&E and has more renewable energy than PG&E
- Renewable 100 delivers 100% California solar and wind energy, at a slightly higher rate than PG&E
Renewable 100 is the default service for Berkeley residents unless they choose Bright Choice. Residential customers on the CARE, FERA, or Medical Baseline programs automatically remain on Bright Choice.
Customers can always choose a different service plan or return to PG&E service at any time. Visit the Ava website to learn more about Ava's service plans.
Ava partners with PG&E, which delivers electricity and natural gas, maintains the power lines, responds to outages, and provides billing and customer service. Ava purchases electricity from clean, renewable sources such as solar and wind on behalf of Alameda County residents and business.
All Ava customers are still PG&E customers and are eligible to participate in any of PG&E's rebate, savings or arrearage management programs. Additionally, CARE, FERA and medical baseline customers can participate in Ava and will continue to receive discounted rates.
Solar power
Installing rooftop solar at your home or business is a great way to reduce greenhouses gases and can save you money on your energy bill.
Find resources to help you go solar below:
- Go Solar California summarizes state legislation on access to the sun for solar systems
- SunShares is a seasonal program offering rooftop solar and battery storage discounts to Bay Area residents every fall. SunShares pools the buying power of residents, vets the contractors, and offers informational webinars
- Non-profit GRID Alternatives offers low-to-no cost rooftop solar to income-qualified households
- Learn about financing options for green building improvements, including rooftop solar
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency lists federal, state and local tax rebates and incentives
News
Office of Energy & Sustainable Development (OESD)
