Ag Electrification Program
Electrifying the Local Ag Industry
Overview
The Ag Electrification Program provides rebates to Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) customers who replace fossil fuel powered agricultural equipment with new, all-electric equipment. Eligible equipment includes irrigation pumps, farm tools, utility vehicles, and other equipment.
Purchases must be made between August 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025.
Why Electrify?
- Better air quality and healthier working conditions for farm workers and our Central Coast communities.
- Superior technology requiring less maintenance, and possible operational cost savings.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions; increase operational sustainability.
Who Is Eligible?
Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) customers whose primary business is agriculture production and/or agriculture processing.
Customers/applicants who are replacing equipment destroyed due to a Governor-declared natural disaster (e.g., flooding, wildfire) will be eligible for enhanced incentives.
Project Eligibility
Customers who can confirm small business status will, if awarded, receive enhanced incentives.
What is defined as a small business?
“Small business” shall be defined as set forth in Government Code Section 14837(d)(1) and means an independently owned and operated business that is not dominant in its field of operation, the principal office of which is located in California, the officers of which are domiciled in California, and which, together with affiliates, has 100 or fewer employees, and average annual gross receipts of fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) or less over the previous three years, or is a manufacturer, as defined in subdivision (c), with 100 or fewer employees.
“Our team couldn’t be any more stoked about our new Polaris Ranger EV. From moving tools and veggies to flattening pasture for sheep paddocks, it is transforming farm operations! This vehicle is charged with electricity provided in part by our solar panel array. A huge thanks to Central Coast Community Energy for grant funding which covered 90% of the purchase of this electric vehicle.”
-City Farm SLO
San Luis Obispo, CA
“Electric tractors have replaced some of our small diesel ones. They’ve helped us with cultivating, seeding, and spreading compost. They aren’t emitting any fumes and they are a lot quieter.”
-Larry Jacobs, Jacobs Farm del Cabo
Santa Cruz County, CA
“We appreciate the fact that 3CE’s Ag Electrification Program is offering help to smaller-sized farms. Clean energy solutions will require a lot of innovation to attain the emissions goals that California has set. We had already purchased a 5KW solar array and two Tesla Powerwalls, so obtaining an electric tractor is another big step forward. These funds are a major help to reach Winfield Farm’s goal to attain a 100% solar electric farm.”
-Bruce and Diane Steel, Winfield Farm
Santa Barbara County, CA
Rebates
Eligible customers can receive up to two rebates for two projects per fiscal year.
Rebates will be available until September 30, 2025, or until funds are fully distributed.
Eligible equipment/project types include:
| Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
|---|---|
| Harvest equipment | Forklifts |
| Utility vehicles/haulers (ATV, OHV, etc.) | Irrigation pumps |
| Tractors (compact < 60hp) | Chillers/boilers/refrigeration |
| Other equipment justified at 3CE’s discretion | Tractors (standard > 60hp) |
| Other equipment justified at 3CE’s discretion |
Steps
Apply on our website (eligible applicants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis), until funds have been fully awarded
Rebates will be processed by 3CE Finance Department staff and sent as a check in the mail to the address provided on the application
Upon full distribution of the program rebate budget, the program will close. Applicants will be notified of the program closure and encouraged to reapply at the beginning of the next fiscal year
Document Checklist
You will need:
- A brief description of your business and project, including site location
- Details regarding the ag electrification project:
- Type of all-electric equipment
- Cost of all-electric equipment, including associated fees such as labor/installation, charging stations, or software
- Old equipment information, if applicable
- Disaster recovery information (for customers replacing damaged equipment resulting from declared disasters), if applicable:
- Insurance documentation
- Photo evidence
- You can apply for one or more rebates in any order
- If applying as a small business, you will need to upload your last three years of tax returns
You may also upload supporting documents if available: Project schedule, equipment technical specifications, quotes or supplier estimates.
Ag Electrification Concierge Service
Are you ready to install Direct Current Fast Charge (DCFC), or Level 3 electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) to support the transition to electric vehicles for your Ag operations? Central Coast Community Energy can point you in the right direction. Our Concierge Service can evaluate your property, design a charging station plan, help you with bids from contractors, guide you through construction, and work with you to apply for rebates.
This service is available to 3CE Ag customers with existing properties and do not currently have charging stations installed. Complete the form and a concierge will be in touch!
Questions?
Contact us: 1-877-455-2223