Aggregator Resources Page
Grid-Responsive Incentive Design Lodging (GRID-Lodging) Program
This page provides information for Aggregators, Customers interested in serving as their own Aggregator, and Customers and Trade Professionals who want to learn about and how to participate in GRID-Lodging program offered in the San Diego Gas & Electric® Company (SDG&E®) service territory.
What types of projects qualify?
As a meter-based pay-for-performance energy efficiency program, GRID-Lodging offers nearly limitless opportunities for projects that can reliably demonstrate reductions in energy use as measured at the customer meter. Unlike traditional utility energy efficiency programs, the program measure savings relative to “existing conditions” or the customer’s normalized usage in the 12 months prior to project installation. Typical energy efficiency projects include: lighting, HVAC, water heating, building envelope, refrigeration, and controls-based technologies. Although the program does not offer incentives for demand response technologies (equipment or other mechanisms that periodically reduce customer loads in response to system conditions), it does provide opportunities for participating customers to sign-up for demand response programs if the installed energy efficiency equipment (such as controls) facilitates such participation. The program also permits “fuel substitution” – equipment upgrades that switch fuels from natural gas to electricity such as replacing an air conditioner and furnace with an air-source heat pump.
What customers are eligible?
GRID-MAP serves SDG&E’s commercial customers in the following segments (6-digit NAICS): 7211xx – Traveler Accommodation (includes Hotels, Motels, Casino Hotels, and B&Bs), 7212xx – RV Parks and Camps, and 7213xx (includes Boarding Houses and Dormitories).
What are the project incentives?
Aggregators receive payments for projects based on the savings produced at time of day and by time of year. As a program focused on aligning program payments with project benefits to the grid (electricity or gas system), projects that produce energy savings at times when “avoided costs” are higher, receive higher payments. In addition, the program’s incentives incorporate elements to encourage certain outcomes. The outcomes these variants on base incentives encourage include: projects for Hard-To-Reach (HTR) or Underserved customers, projects located within Disadvantaged Communities (DAC), and projects that are more cost effective. Due to the additional requirements associated with site-based NMEC projects, incentives for these projects are slightly lower. See the following tables and downloadable spreadsheet.
All rates are subject to change.
This downloadable rates spreadsheet provides the table data in Excel format.
Aggregators receive the following payments:
- An Installation Payment equal to 40 percent of the Estimated Total Incentive – paid after Installation Approval;
- Semi-annual calendar Performance Payments calculated based on the net amount of earned incentives to date minus the Installation Payment and any prior Performance Payments.
How do I qualify and sign up?
Aggregator Qualifications: All interested parties authorized to do business in California and willing to commit to the program terms can participate.
Register: Aggregators interested in participating in GRID-MAP should send an email to:
sdge-grid-lodging@mendotagroup.com.
Program staff will either email the Aggregator Participation Agreement or direct Aggregators who have existing GRID platform accounts to access the Agreement within the platform. Organizations then complete, sign, and return the document by email or by uploading within the GRID platform.
Complete the Aggregator Enrollment: Upon receipt of a properly completed Aggregator Participation Agreement, Mendota Group will send new (have not previously participated in a GRID program) a link, ID, and one-time password for access to the GRID Platform. Once signed-in, the Aggregator will be asked to complete enrollment by providing general company and contact information, and tax forms.
Aggregators who enroll in multiple GRID programs will be required to submit separate Aggregator Agreements.
Financing Opportunities through SDG&E
On-Bill Financing (OBF)
On-Bill Financing works in conjunction with SDG&E’s rebate and incentive programs and offers eligible customers zero-percent financing for qualifying energy-efficient business improvements.
Go-Green Financing™
Connect with qualified contractors and project developers and find favorable financing options to maximize productivity and save energy.
Important Documents
Document
Description
Downloadable File
Program Implementation Plan (includes Program Manual, and Measurement and Verification Plan)
Regulatory document describing the program. Filed with CPUC.
Rulebook for Programs and Project Based on Normalized Metered Energy Consumption, v.2.0.
California Public Utilities Commission guidance for programs that use population-based and site-based Normalized Metered Energy Consumption to calculate project savings.
Inflation Reduction Act Disclaimer: Customers and Aggregator should note that the availability of tax credits and other potential financial incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are uncertain. President Donald Trump’s January 20, 2025, Executive Order paused disbursement of funds flowing from the IRA. Therefore, Customer’s decision to proceed with the project should not assume that IRA tax credits or other financial incentives will be available.
The Grid-Responsive Incentive Design – Lodging (GRID-Lodging) Program is funded by California utility customers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission and implemented by Mendota Group under a contract awarded by San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E®). Customers who choose to participate in this program are not obligated to purchase any additional services offered by the Implementer. Actual savings may vary. The trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.
