RCEA Community Grid Program

What is the Community Grid Program?

Swell and Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) are connecting hundreds of homes in Humboldt County and their batteries in an energy sharing network, which helps to balance supply and demand of energy. By joining this program, your community is creating one bundled solar and battery power plant. You are taking the first step to unlocking the full potential of your energy storage system to build a stronger, cleaner, smarter power grid.

How do I sign-up?

• The program is currently limited to homes with solar and one or two Tesla Powerwalls in Humboldt County.
• Customers must be enrolled with RCEA when they sign up for the program and under a residential utility rate.
• Sign-up by going to swellenergy.com/RCEA, calling 800-898-1832, or scheduling time with a Swell consultant.

What are the benefits of participating?

• $1,000 up-front when you sign a Grid Services Agreement
• $100 each year in December
• Total incentive up to $2,200 in 12 years
• Continued bill savings on your monthly energy bills.

How do I get compensated for participation?

• Customers will receive an incentive payment via a check from Swell Energy within 8 weeks of Permission to Operate (PTO) or from signing up if already installed.

Does joining impact my home backup power?

• Your system will always have a backup reserve of 20%. This means even after a Grid Services event customers will always have power available for backup.
• During an outage your system will only be used to serve your home for backup until grid power is restored.

What does my system do during the program?

• After you join the program your home will prioritize using energy from your battery for the three hours of the day when it is most needed by the grid.
• This three hour period will change each month sometime between the hours of 3 PM to 9 PM.
• During the three hours of the program window your battery will send its energy to meet your home energy needs. Once your home energy needs are met it will discharge energy back to the grid, generating credits on your monthly bill.
• If you make changes in your Tesla App, the changes may not take effect until after the 3-hour event.

What is the 3 hour period for each month in 2023?