Energy Upgrade California™ in Sonoma County is a program that helps residents and business owners reduce energy use and save money by providing rebates, incentives, and financing. Through this program, Sonoma County property owners address their energy saving needs by taking a “whole-building” approach, because it takes more than just switching out light bulbs to achieve maximum efficiency.

Energy Upgrade California™ is an unprecedented alliance among California counties, cities, non-profit organizations, the state's investor-owned utilities (Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, and San Diego Gas & Electric Company), and publicly owned utilities. Funding for this effort comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, also known as federal stimulus funds), California utility ratepayers, and private contributions. Energy upgrade rebates are administered by participating utilities.

The goals of this statewide effort are four-fold:

1. Help residential and commercial consumers and the building industry become knowledgeable about the many energy and water efficiency programs and financing options that will be available during the next several years including the State Energy Programs, utility company home upgrade programs, local rebates, appliance and renewable energy rebates, and energy financing programs.
2. Provide a consistent and clear message regarding how consumers can choose the best energy-efficient measures and the right contractors to provide those services.
3. Drive consumers and contractors to a central resource that provides educational information that links all the state energy efficiency upgrade, rebates, and incentive programs.
4. Educate the building trades and home improvement industry on jobs, training, and required certifications.