Hourly Flex Pricing Pilot
Polaris Energy Services has partnered with PG&E to implement an innovative program for growers, called Hourly Flex Pricing. Hourly Flex Pricing is a three-year pilot that offers a way to lower energy costs and receive funding for automation technology, while promoting a more reliable grid.
Background
With Hourly Flex Pricing, you can:
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Leverage $120/HP in automation technology to ease operations and labor costs
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Save money by shifting energy use to times when it’s more plentiful and cheaper
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Lock in cheaper energy prices by scheduling your irrigation and usage up to seven days in advance
Hourly Flex Pricing also includes bill protection - you will not pay more on Hourly Flex Pricing than you would have on your current rate plan.
Pilot Details
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This pilot runs from November 1, 2024 to December 31, 2027 and is available to qualifying agricultural customers. See “eligibility” below for a list of qualifying factors.
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Electricity prices vary by hour. They are forecast seven days in advance and are set one day in advance. As an agricultural customer, you have the opportunity to lock in advanced prices.
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Try Hourly Flex Pricing risk-free. Billing is based on your regular utility bill. You receive a credit after each 12 months if you would have paid less on the Hourly Flex Pricing compared to your regular utility bill.
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Those that can shift the timing of their electricity use, like irrigation pumping or processing load, could benefit from this pilot.
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Participating customers can receive financial incentives to offset installation costs of automation equipment that run at about $120/HP.
Eligibility
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Agricultural customers must be on or switch to one of the following rate plans:
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Ag <35 kW Low Use (AG-A1)
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Ag <35 kW High Use (AG-A2)
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Ag 35+ kW Medium Use (AG-B)
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Ag 35+ kW High Use (AG-C)
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Agricultural customers can be enrolled in Peak Day Pricing or Emergency Load Reduction Program Subgroup A1 and A3.
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Net Energy Metering customers are eligible for Hourly Flex Pricing, but cannot enroll at this time
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For a complete and updated list of eligibility criteria, including participating CCAs, please refer to PG&E’s Hourly Flex Pricing webpage.
Additional Details
How to Enroll
Agricultural customers can enroll through us, Polaris Energy Services, or directly with PG&E or a participating CCA. Enrollment opens by November 1, 2024. If interested, please complete the form below and we will be in touch.
Incentives
Agricultural customers are eligible for a one-time incentive to reimburse the costs for automation technology needed to manage their energy use during the pilot. The reimbursement level is $160/kW (approximately $120/HP) of enrolled customer controllable load, capped at 100% of their costs.
Pricing
Agricultural customers will receive hourly prices published seven days in advance and will have the opportunity to schedule their energy use to lock in these advanced prices. Final prices are set one day in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a complete list of FAQs, please visit: PG&E’s Hourly Flex Pricing webpage