This summer, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) formally announced TRC as the designated lead Program Implementer for the Statewide New Construction (SWNC) Residential All-Electric and Mixed Fuel Programs following a competitive solicitation process. Building on our track record of innovation in the new construction sector, the two components of TRC’s California Energy-Smart Homes Program (Energy-Smart Homes) will serve single-family, duplexes, multifamily low-rise and alteration projects across all California Investor-Owned Utility (IOU) service territories.
The SWNC programs have a total combined budget of $40.5 million through December 31, 2025, making this one of TRC’s largest new construction contracts nationwide. TRC submitted our proposed approach to serving this market through the IOUs’ rolling Third-Party Solicitation Process for Energy Efficiency Programs, with PG&E chosen to implement the SWNC offerings on behalf of the IOUs.
As proposed by TRC, Energy-Smart Homes includes innovative strategies for advancing residential building practices in two market segments. The all-electric program offers significant incentives for above-code buildings without gas metering or hookup infrastructure, paired with installation of communication-enabling devices like smart thermostats. The mixed fuel program provides incentives for builders pursuing above-code construction who have already planned for gas service installation, with required installation of these enabled devices
Working in tandem, the two Energy-Smart Homes components will support California’s statewide energy efficiency and carbon reduction objectives, which include a goal of 100% zero net energy (ZNE) for new residential construction. The programs’ innovative strategies will move the statewide new construction market beyond ZNE, resulting in homes that are deeply energy-efficient, have a smaller carbon footprint, and can integrate with distributed energy resources like solar technology and battery storage.
TRC has engaged two key program partners to support Energy-Smart Homes implementation: Resource Refocus LLC, and 2050 Partners. The program is scheduled to launch statewide on January 1, 2022.