SVCE and UtilityAPI Launch Pilot to Speed Clean Energy Commerce

Instant authorized access to data removes key roadblock for local energy projects

Sunnyvale, Calif. – Getting a quote for a solar installation, electric vehicle charger or energy efficiency upgrade has typically been an exercise in frustration for both solution providers and customers alike. But today, Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) launched the Data Hive, a flagship pilot project with UtilityAPI that will make initiating clean energy projects quicker and easier for everyone involved.

Up to now, even if a customer authorizes a solution provider to access their utility billing and usage data, the data may not be available for several days, and often doesn’t arrive in a usable form. Solution providers have had to rely on old energy bills or make large investments in software or staff to decipher unclear customer data. This can be a particular difficulty for small businesses that may not have the resources for this extra effort. The SVCE Data Hive will streamline this process by providing instant, authorized and secure access to standardized energy data.  It expands the ability of service providers to participate in the market – especially important at this difficult time, and when businesses ultimately begin recovering from the effects of COVID-19.

“I really appreciate the improvement in customer experience with the new SVCE Data Hive,” said Jackson Herron of Extensible Energy, a company that partners with solar installers to maximize energy savings and reduce payback times. “We’re pleased to see that customers can approve data access using a variety of familiar identifiers. I love how transparent, quick and simple the process is, which allows us to build trust with our customers that their energy data is transferred securely and under their control.”

“The ability to seamlessly share energy data is crucial to developing the future of the energy sector,” said UtilityAPI CEO Devin Hampton. “SVCE’s Data Hive is leading the way by using UtilityAPI’s data sharing tools to accelerate the implementation of energy projects for their customers. With the success of this pilot, we look forward to replicating this innovative new service with other utilities across the country.”

SVCE and UtilityAPI will be hosting a webinar on how solution providers can utilize Data Hive to simplify and accelerate the quoting process and improve project performance. The public webinar will take place on April 15 at 9:30 a.m.  Following a soft launch the second week of March, over two dozen providers have already signed up to use Data Hive in their businesses, which is more registered third parties than all non-California utility green button tools combined.

Formed to take bold action on climate change, SVCE knows that smoothing the path to local clean energy projects will help our community and California achieve the deep cuts to carbon emissions that are needed to make a significant impact on the climate crisis.

“With SVCE’s Data Hive, we hope to advance clean energy projects by providing quick and painless access to the necessary data,” said SVCE CEO Girish Balachandran. “Addressing the cost and process will remove a barrier for energy project providers and give customers more choice and transparency.”

The partnership was launched through SVCE’s Innovation Onramp, a program the agency developed to launch innovative pilots that help SVCE achieve its mission.

SVCE has designated this a “flagship pilot” because it embodies core agency principles of transparency, data access and local reinvestment.

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About UtilityAPI
UtilityAPI is a mission driven software company working to streamline and secure the exchange of energy usage data between utilities, clean energy companies, and other technology providers. Founded in 2014, in Oakland, California, UtilityAPI is building the data network for a cleaner, more resilient energy sector. Some of the top clean energy and energy management companies use UtilityAPI every day to get the data they need. For utilities and utility vendors, UtilityAPI offers powerful tools for managing the exchange of energy data, while gaining behind-the-meter insights. For more information, please visit UtilityAPI.com.

About Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a community-owned agency serving the majority of Santa Clara County communities, acquiring clean, carbon-free electricity on behalf of more than 270,000 residential and commercial customers. As a public agency, net revenues are returned to the community to keep rates competitive and promote clean energy programs. Member jurisdictions include Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Saratoga, Sunnyvale and unincorporated Santa Clara County. SVCE is guided by a Board of Directors, which is comprised of a representative from the governing body of each member community. For more information, please visit SVCleanEnergy.org.

Media Contact
Michaela Pippin
Communications Specialist
O: 408-721-5301 x1020
michaela.pippin@svcleanenergy.org