CA Grid Relief is the “incentive” of the future

There is more current info on this topic. See updated info on California Grid Relief payments here.

Last July, California Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency for the state’s electrical grid. This led to a $150 Million fund to relieve grid pressure and prevent blackouts – especially during extreme heat events.

Seinergy is one of a few approved administrators for this emergency fund, with the support of Recurve. We are seeking indoor cannabis (or vegetable) growers who are interested in upgrading their fixtures to LEDs. Commercial growers can get up to $500 back per fixture for retrofitting a facility.

“This is a benefit for growers, California, and the grid” said Bob Gunn who has been helping create the program. “It’s a new type of incentive, uniquely designed to reduce actual load on the meter and relieve stress from too much electric demand.”

The payments for new equipment will be issued based on actual meter reductions, not just avoided load. Checks will be distributed in four quarterly installments. The amount of each check depends on the actual reductions compared with the previous year’s. For example, a facility may not qualify if they are expanding canopy along with retrofitting equipment.

Indoor cannabis growers are a good fit for this opportunity because their electric bills are already the largest operational cost beyond labor. With advances in LED technologies, such as Gavita and Luxx, LED fixtures out-perform other energy-consuming lights. Although growers must invest in the upfront cost of replacing fixtures, lower electric bills plus grid relief payments should make up for the added expense within one year.

“Any grower in North or Central California who is considering replacing their HPS or Double Enders should do so now,” added Gunn, “This is a limited opportunity and will not be around for long.”

Interested growers can qualify and enroll their project at https://seinergy.com/CA_Grid_Relief/