Southern California Edison (SCE) has launched a Request for Offers (RFO) to procure electricity from independent power producers as part of its Solar Photovoltaic Program (SPVP). This marks a further of SCE’s commitment to delivering clean energy to its customers.

This RFO is the fourth solicitation (SPVP 4) since the program began in 2010. The program is primarily designed to encourage energy production from rooftop-mounted solar PVfacilities sized between 500 kW and 10 MW. SCE is seeking up to 63 MW of direct current power in SPVP 4 based on the economics of the offers.

“SCE encourages the production of solar PV power within our service area and through this program we continue making progress toward California’s Renewables Portfolio Standard goal of delivering 33% renewable power,” said Nicole Neeman Brady, SCE’s director of Energy Procurement.

SCE has scheduled a bidder's web conference on Oct. 17 to discuss the SPVP4 RFO process. To attend the web conference and obtain conference details, participants must register at the SPVP 4 RFO website at scepv.accionpower.com under the “SPVP 4” link. Participants are required to register and complete all documents on the RFP website. The site also contains additional offer qualification criteria and participant instructions. All purchase agreements will be reviewed and become effective after approval by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Since its inception in 2010, SCE’s program has been buying energy from solar PV generating facilities using a standard power-purchase agreement with a 20-year term. Last year, 21.6% of the energy provided by SCE came from renewable sources. The utility delivered 1 billion kWh of solar energy to its customers last year.