Who is “The California Energy Initiative” misleading advertisement from a private company

Based on your image, here is a detailed breakdown of the notice you received.

This notice is a misleading advertisement from a private company. It is not from PG&E.

Here are the key points to understand:

• Who is “The California Energy Initiative”?

  • This is not an official state agency or PG&E.

  • It is the name of a private, third-party solar installer or a marketing company that generates sales leads for solar installers.

  • Official state programs have similar names (like “Energy Upgrade California”), and this mailer is designed to look official and cause confusion.

• Is this PG&E?

  • No. PG&E has publicly warned customers about similar mailers using their colors, calling them “scams” and confirming they are not affiliated with the utility.

• Is this real?

  • The company is a real business, but the claims on the mailer are highly misleading or false.

🚩 Red Flags: Debunking the Claims

Here is a breakdown of the misleading statements on the card:

• THE CLAIM: “Due to Wildfire Lawsuits, all public utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric, are required to upgrade… converting homes to Self-Generation.”

• THE TRUTH: This is false. PG&E is not requiring or “converting” all homes to self-generation (i.e., solar and batteries). This is a high-pressure sales tactic designed to create a false sense of urgency and panic.

• THE CLAIM: “Customers NOT enrolled in the CA Self-Generation Incentive Program (S.G.I.P.) will pay up to 37% MORE for electricity…”

• THE TRUTH: This is false. There is no “37% penalty” or fee for customers who do not enroll in this program. This is a deceptive framing of potential future electricity rate hikes, not a specific fine for not having solar.

• THE CLAIM: “Assessments by State-licensed program directors are being scheduled…”

• THE TRUTH: The person who comes to your home will be a salesperson, not a “State-licensed program director.” Their goal is to sell you a solar and/or battery system.

What Is the “Self-Generation Incentive Program (S.G.I.P.)”?

This is the one part of the mailer that is based on truth, which makes the ad so deceptive.

• The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) is a real and legitimate rebate program from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

• It is administered by utilities like PG&E, not by third-party “initiatives.”

• The program provides very large rebates for installing battery storage systems, especially for customers in high fire-threat areas or those who rely on medical equipment. The Federal ITC (Investment Tax Credit) for solar is also a real program.

This company is using the existence of these real programs to legitimize its misleading sales pitch. Crucially, “The California Energy Initiative” does not appear on the official statewide list of approved SGIP developers, meaning they may not even be authorized to handle the rebate application for you.

What to Do Next

1. Do NOT call the number or scan the QR code. This will send your information to a high-pressure sales team.

2. Shred the mailer. It is a solicitation, not an official notice.

3. If you are interested in solar or batteries, be a cautious consumer.

   • Go to the source. Visit the official PG&E website or the official statewide program site (selfgenca.com) to learn about the SGIP program.

   • Get multiple quotes. Contact at least three different, highly-rated solar installers.

   • Verify contractors. Always check that a contractor has a valid license on the official Contractors State License Board (CSLB) website.

Would you like me to provide the official government websites where you can research the SGIP and check a contractor’s license?