Starting Electricity Service In Santa Barbara: A Guide

If you're looking to start electricity service in Santa Barbara, you've got a few options. Santa Barbara Clean Energy (SBCE) is a community-oriented program that provides carbon-free electricity to residents. SBCE offers competitive rates, on-bill savings, and incentives for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Alternatively, Southern California Edison (SCE) delivers electric services to the city and is another option for new residents. SCE also handles billing for SBCE, so customers of both providers can expect to see the same percentage increase in their bills.

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Santa Barbara Clean Energy (SBCE)

SBCE was launched in 2021 to give the community more control over their electricity supply and to reduce carbon emissions. It allows the City of Santa Barbara to purchase or generate electricity for its customers instead of relying solely on investor-owned utilities. As a customer, you can benefit from competitive rates, on-bill savings, local control, and rebates and incentives through programs that combat climate change.

Being an SBCE customer also comes with various perks and programs to help you decarbonize your lifestyle. For instance, you can receive exclusive discounts on solar and batteries, as well as $1,000 from SBCE and income-qualified rebates of up to $2,000 when purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle. Additionally, you can enjoy a 20% discount on annual memberships with BCycle, a rideshare program that will soon be charged with 100% carbon-free electricity.

If you are interested in enrolling in SBCE, you can reach them by phone at (805) 897-1979 or visit their website to complete the process. You can also choose to re-enroll, opt down to Green Start, go Resilient by adding solar, or opt out and return to SCE.

SBCE prices and billing

Santa Barbara Clean Energy (SBCE) is a program of the City of Santa Barbara that provides electricity choices to reduce carbon emissions. SBCE offers a range of rates and billing options for its customers.

SBCE Rates and Billing

SBCE's rates are published and updated regularly, with the current rates effective as of April 1, 2025. SBCE offers a Green Rate program, which provides customers with clean energy options. The 50% and 100% Green Rate programs have a high demand, and SBCE maintains a waitlist for customers interested in enrolling.

SBCE Generation Charges

SBCE generation charges replace Edison energy generation charges and are not additional fees on your bill. The Generation Rate reflects the cost of producing or purchasing electricity and depends on usage, the service provider, and the rate plan.

SBCE Green Start Rate Plan

The Green Start rate plan offers clean energy at affordable rates, meeting or exceeding state mandates for renewable energy. Customers with financial assistance or those who want consistent billing rates can choose this plan. Net Metering (solar) customers are automatically enrolled in Resilient paired with 100% Green. SBCE will pay you for excess energy produced by your solar panels ($0.0663/kWh). If your system does not produce enough electricity, you can choose either 100% Green for carbon-free energy or Green Start for at least 50% clean energy at standard rates.

Contacting SBCE

For specific questions about your SBCE bill or electric rates, you can contact SBCE at sbcleanenergy.com or (805) 897-1979.

SBCE carbon-free energy sources

Santa Barbara Clean Energy (SBCE) is a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program that allows the City of Santa Barbara to purchase or generate electricity for its customers instead of relying on investor-owned utilities. SBCE provides 100% carbon-free electricity by default to the community, sourced from solar, wind, biomass, and small and large hydroelectricity.

SBCE's carbon-free energy sources are purchased from California, Washington, British Columbia, and New Mexico. As a policy, SBCE only purchases bundled renewable energy credits, meaning that the electricity purchased is routed directly to California. This ensures that 100% Green customers are indeed receiving 100% Green energy. SBCE does not purchase nuclear energy due to waste disposal challenges.

The City of Santa Barbara purchases a combination of solar power and battery energy storage capacity to achieve its 100% carbon-free electricity goal. This enables the city to benefit from carbon-free energy throughout the day. SBCE is working towards the City's ambitious goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030, with an acknowledged critical role in achieving the City's goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2035.

SBCE customers can benefit from on-bill savings, rebates, and incentives through programs that fight climate change in the community. For example, customers can receive $1,000 from SBCE, and income-qualified customers can earn up to a $2,000 rebate on the purchase or lease of an electric vehicle. BCycle, a rideshare program, offers a 20% discount to SB Clean Energy customers and will soon be charged with 100% carbon-free electricity.

SBCE customer benefits

SBCE, or Santa Barbara Clean Energy, provides electricity choices to residents and businesses in Santa Barbara, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions and achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030.

SBCE customers benefit from receiving clean electricity at competitive rates, with on-bill savings and rebates through programs that aim to fight climate change. The 100% Green service provides carbon-free electricity generated from wind, solar, and hydroelectric facilities, ensuring that customers receive green energy through the purchase of bundled renewable energy credits.

Additionally, SBCE offers reduced rates to income-qualified customers, maintaining rates similar to Southern California Edison's low-income program while providing the advantage of clean energy. The Power Choice program, in partnership with Tesla, Inc., offers customers the opportunity to benefit from solar energy and battery storage without the upfront costs of installation and ownership. Customers pay only for the energy produced and gain access to Tesla's industry-leading solar technology, complimentary customer service, and energy resiliency during power outages.

Furthermore, SBCE maintains local control over electricity rates and revenues, allowing for the creation of locally relevant projects that contribute to a cleaner and more resilient Santa Barbara. The City of Santa Barbara is committed to reinvesting budget surpluses into the community, including building local energy generation and storage facilities, as well as supporting residents and businesses in adopting energy resilience measures.

SBCE and SCE

Santa Barbara Clean Energy (SBCE) and Southern California Edison (SCE) are the two main options for electricity services in Santa Barbara.

SBCE is a non-profit public agency that provides clean and renewable energy options to residents and businesses in the city. The goal of SBCE is to reduce carbon emissions and provide sustainable energy choices. They offer various programs and incentives to help customers switch to cleaner energy sources and improve their energy efficiency.

On the other hand, SCE is the investor-owned utility company that delivers electric service and provides billing to the residents and businesses of Santa Barbara. They are responsible for maintaining the electricity infrastructure and ensuring reliable power delivery to their customers. SCE offers a range of rate plans and services to meet the diverse needs of the community.

When starting electricity service in Santa Barbara, new residents can choose their preferred electricity provider. They can sign up for service directly through the SBCE or SCE website or by contacting their customer service departments. It is recommended to have the necessary information on hand, such as your name, address, contact details, and desired service start date.

Additionally, both SBCE and SCE may require new customers to provide proof of identity and residency, such as a driver's license or utility bill. They may also offer various payment options, including automatic payments and paperless billing, to make managing your account more convenient. It is always a good idea to review their websites or contact their customer support teams for detailed instructions on starting electricity service and to understand the specific requirements and options available.

Frequently asked questions