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Pacific Gas and Electric Exceeds California's 2020 Renewable Energy Goal

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has surpassed California's 2020 Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) goal, delivering over 35% of its electricity from renewable sources to its customers last year, according to its recent Form 10-K. This achievement is a significant milestone in the company's efforts to transition to a clean energy future. PG&E's diverse renewable energy portfolio includes solar, wind, bioenergy, geothermal, and small hydroelectric power. The company has made significant strides in solar power growth, with large-scale solar energy accounting for 45% of its total renewable energy power mix.

Key Takeaways:

  • PG&E delivered over 35% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2020, exceeding California's 2020 RPS goal.
  • The company's diverse renewable energy portfolio includes solar, wind, bioenergy, geothermal, and small hydroelectric power.
  • Large-scale solar energy accounts for 45% of PG&E's total renewable energy power mix, with 4,100 MWs of solar energy being used to power homes and businesses.
  • PG&E has connected over 535,000 customers with private rooftop solar to the electricity grid, and supports customers with resources before, during, and after they go solar.
  • The rooftop solar in PG&E's service area represents about 20% of all rooftop solar in the country.
  • The company offers the Solar Choice program, which allows customers to purchase up to 100% of their electricity from a community solar program generating power in California.
  • PG&E is investing in battery energy storage to enhance overall grid reliability and integrate renewables.
  • The company has contracts for battery energy storage projects totaling over 1,400 MWs of capacity to be deployed throughout its service area and the state through 2023.

Statistics:

  • Over 88% of the electricity PG&E delivered to its customers in 2020 came from greenhouse gas (GHG)-free resources.
  • Large-scale solar energy accounts for 45% of PG&E's total renewable energy power mix.
  • PG&E has connected over 535,000 customers with private rooftop solar to the electricity grid.
  • The rooftop solar in PG&E's service area represents about 20% of all rooftop solar in the country.
  • PG&E has contracts for battery energy storage projects totaling over 1,400 MWs of capacity to be deployed throughout its service area and the state through 2023.

Sources:

  • PG&E's Form 10-K
  • Senate Bill 350
  • Senate Bill 100
  • California Public Utilities Commission
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company's press release, dated March 9, 2021.

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