What is Clean Electricity?

What is Clean Electricity?

Clean electricity comes from renewable sources, such as wind or solar, as opposed to the burning of fossil fuels. As electricity use increases due to electrification of transportation and buildings, the City will support more distributed energy resources, like rooftop solar and energy storage within the community as well as supporting more renewable sources in our electricity supply mix.

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A megawatt hour (Mwh) is equal to 1,000 Kilowatt hours (Kwh). It is equal to 1,000 kilowatts of electricity used continuously for one hour. It is about equivalent to the amount of electricity used by about 330 homes during one hour. In the following graph, we'll be reporting on Million Megawatt Hours (Mil MWh)MWhMegawatt Hour
A megawatt hour (Mwh) is equal to 1,000 Kilowatt hours (Kwh). It is equal to 1,000 kilowatts of electricity used continuously for one hour. It is about equivalent to the amount of electricity used by about 330 homes during one hour. In the following graph, we'll be reporting on Million Megawatt Hours (Mil MWh)MWhMegawatt Hour
Clean Energy 1.1 Targets - 2030:  100% Participation in Clean Electricity.  2045: 100% participation in clean electricity.

GHG Emissions from Electricity

Electricity Use vs Electricity Emissions

Sunnyvale has made tremendous progress in reducing emissions in the electricity sector, and with the launch of Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) in 2017, 98% of Sunnyvale’s residential and commercial accounts received carbon-free electricity, which resulted in a 76% reduction of GHG emissions from electricity generation.

While SVCE has taken us a long way to reducing the emissions associated with our electricity use, some of our residents and businesses still get their electricity from Pacific Gas and Electricity (PG&E). In 2019, PG&E reported their electricity was carbon-free and therefore their emissions were nearly zero.* This was largely due to a change in how utilities count their emissions. In 2020, PG&E reported that they did not supply 100% carbon-free electricity. Which resulted in a 913% increase in the sector.

While it is unclear when PG&E will be able to provide 100% carbon-free electricity in the future, there is more that can be done. Maximizing local solar production and investing in local storage to use the clean energy we produce will help Sunnyvale build a resilient and clean energy network.

*Sunnyvale uses the emissions factor for the previous year in reporting electricity emissions. This is due to the emissions factor data not being available at the time of reporting. So, while Sunnyvale is reporting 100% clean electricity in 2020, this is reflective of the 2019 emissions factor.

Play 1.1: Promote 100% Clean Electricity

Community Choice Aggregation

Community-wide electricity can be supplied by different providers, including investor-owned utilities (like PG&E), wholesale electricity markets (used by some businesses), and by local building-scale projects, such as rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV). Sunnyvale has made tremendous progress in reducing emissions in this key sector by launching a community choice aggregation program. Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) is a community choice aggregator that provides carbon-free electricity to most of our community.

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We track renewable energy by measuring the proportion of electricity generation we as a community use that is supplied from renewable energy resources vs. fossil fuel-based sources.% Renewable EnergyPercent of Renewable Energy
We track renewable energy by measuring the proportion of electricity generation we as a community use that is supplied from renewable energy resources vs. fossil fuel-based sources.% Renewable EnergyPercent of Renewable Energy
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Play 1.1: Promote 100% Clean Electricity

What is Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)?

CCA is an alternative energy supply system that allows local governments to collectively buy energy, offering lower costs for consumers and greener energy supply opportunities. This has become a popular strategy throughout California, with 25 CCAs serving the energy needs of more than 14 million customers in more than 200+ cities as of 2023. (source)

Community agency sources the electricity, who delivers through PG&E to the customer (you) the benefit from clean energy.

Play 1.2: Increase Local Solar Photovoltaics (PV)

Solar Installation

Year over year, we've seen consistent growth in the amount of solar installed across Sunnyvale. On average, every year, we add enough solar capacity to generate about 3.5 million kWh of electricity, which equals the energy demand of around 245 homes. 

The community has ample roof space for more solar, so let's keep this trend going!

Play 1.3: Increase Distributed Electricity Storage

Our Targets

Our targets for energy storage will enable us to meet other community goals by ensuring more locally produced clean energy is available to serve high-demand times of day.

Sunnyvale estimates that approximately 0.55% of our current electricity demand could be met with locally installed batteries. We will continue to work with community partners like SVCE to track progress on this goal.

infographic showing targets for the percent of electricity demand stored in batteries locally: 2030 target = 2% and 2045 target = 5%
Energy storage is supported by a battery, inverter, electric panel, and metering.

Play 1.3: Increase Distributed Electricity Storage

Why is Storage Important?

Energy storage plays a growing role in ensuring a resilient power grid. It allows individual homeowners with solar panels to store clean energy when the sun is shining. That stored energy can then displace more expensive and often dirtier power sources.

Not only does community-scale energy storage maximize local solar supply, but it also helps to support a resilient power grid.

Be Part of the Solution!

Check out these resources for maximizing clean energy!

There are so many things you can do today to make a big difference for our future. Use clean energy to power your home and car. 


Save money and protect the earth with SVCE E-Hub
Choosing clean energy combats climate change, saves money, and builds community resilience. Opt-in to up to 100% renewable energy today
Learn more about the benefits of battery storage and find competitive installers.
Cost savings range depending on the % of renewable energy consumed.