Buy green power
PG&E (joinclimatesmart.com, 800-743-5000) The unique ClimateSmart program funds conservation and protection projects that capture carbon emissions, instead of funding renewable energy programs. The average cost is $5 per month.

Alameda Power (alamedamp.com, 510-748-3900) sources 85% of its energy from renewables, but customers can contribute to the Clean Future Fund for 1 cent/kWh, or an average $3.75 per month. Fund contributions go towards pursuing new renewable resources.

Home solar production
Solar power at home is increasingly easier to afford through mortgage loans and incentives. Check your utility’s site first, and EBMUD for solar hot water heaters. PG&E (pge.com/solar) has more customers with photovoltaic systems than any other utility in the nation, and provides resources from worksheets to partnership information. Alameda Power (alamedamp.com/electricity) issues rebates per kW, with 2010 rebates at $2.42/watt. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (dsireusa.org) will give you the most complete look at federal and state incentives. For example, there is a 30% federal tax credit for photovoltaic systems that can help make solar more affordable.

Home wind power production
If you live in a rural area, or are part of a community with some extra space, you may be a candidate for producing wind energy with your own turbine and selling excess energy back to your utility through net metering. Wind Powering America (windpoweringamerica.gov) is a good place to start searching for state incentives and assistance for small wind projects. The American Wind Energy Association has a site dedicated to Small Wind (awea.org) with a state breakdown of contact information for California utilities with net metering. PG&E has information on their site as well.