As utilities consistently increase electricity prices, businesses are reducing their reliance on the grid through sustainable, clean energy solutions. Energy across California’s electrical grid is actively managed and availability generally dictates the price. Because of that, rooftop solar uniquely benefits everyone, providing owners with free electricity while reducing overall demand on the grid. On top of that, net energy metering allows solar owners to sell excess electricity back to the grid. Unfortunately, utilities have been fighting to make significant changes to the value provided by NEM. 

PG&E recently introduced “vehicle-to-grid” (V2G) export rates as an incentive for commercial EV charging station customers. This could potentially allow commercial EV fleet owners to discharge their EV’s during the day, harnessing the energy supply of fleets to supply the grid with more electricity when it’s needed and most valuable. If owners could charge back up overnight, this new export system would result in significantly reduced electricity costs for the business, while providing tangible benefits to the community.

Corporate ESG standards are playing a growing role in long-term decisions made by businesses, sometimes even requiring fresh talent to fill new roles and departments to help them adapt to changing market conditions. As California and the US adopt more significant legislation to help meet climate change goals and pledges, businesses will quickly feel direct effects if they are not prepared to adapt.