Community Solar: Mountain View vs San Jose
How do community solar rules compare between Mountain View, CA and San Jose, CA?
Mountain View and San Jose have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
California SB-43 enables Pacific Gas and Electric customers to subscribe to community solar projects without rooftop panels. Santa Clara County renters and condo owners can join the Green Tariff Shared Renewables and Community Solar Green Tariff programs.
View full Mountain View rules →San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
California's Community Renewable Energy Program (SB-43) and successor frameworks let renters and customers without rooftops subscribe to off-site shared solar. In San Jose this is delivered through San Jose Clean Energy CCA programs and PG&E's regulated community solar tariffs.
View full San Jose rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| State statute | California SB-43 (2013) | - |
| Utility program | PG&E Solar Choice / GTSR | - |
| DAC discount | 20 percent off bill | - |
| CCA option | SVCE and SJCE 100% renewable | - |
| Cancellation | 60 days notice no penalty | - |
| State law | - | SB-43 Green Tariff Shared Renewables |
| City CCA | - | San Jose Clean Energy |
| Default product | - | GreenSource ~50% renewable |
| Opt-up product | - | TotalGreen 100% renewable |
| Wires and billing | - | PG&E remains the utility |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Do I save money with community solar?
Most market-rate Solar Choice subscriptions cost a small premium over standard PG&E generation rates. Community Solar Green Tariff subscribers in disadvantaged communities receive a 20-percent bill discount, producing real savings.
Can I subscribe if I rent in Santa Clara County?
Yes. Community-solar enrollment is tied to your PG&E or community-choice aggregator account, not to property ownership. Renters and condo owners qualify equally and can take the subscription with them when they move.
San Jose FAQ
What is San Jose Clean Energy?
SJCE is the city's Community Choice Aggregator, automatically serving most San Jose homes and businesses since 2019 with cleaner electricity than PG&E's default mix at competitive rates. PG&E still delivers electricity, reads meters, and sends one combined bill.
How do renters in San Jose go solar without rooftops?
Renters can opt up to SJCE TotalGreen for 100 percent renewable supply, subscribe to PG&E's Solar Choice tariff, or join eligible community solar projects. None require installing panels at the rental unit; rates appear on the standard bill.
Does community solar save money?
Sometimes. The Disadvantaged Communities Green Tariff and DAC Solar Single-Family Homes programs offer bill discounts to qualifying low-income households. Standard SJCE TotalGreen and PG&E Solar Choice typically cost a small premium for higher renewable content.
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