Customer Generation Evaluation

About Evaluations

Evaluations are an assessment of a program and its impacts to verify metrics and key outcomes. The Customer Generation team runs evaluations of customer programs to establish consensus program goals and metrics, assess whether these goals and metrics are being met and confirm values like greenhouse gas savings, clean energy generation, or workforce development outcomes. Often evaluations are required by the Legislature or by the Commission. Energy Division works with a designated utility to hire a third-party consultant through a competitive solicitation process. 

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The typical process has these core steps:

1. Research plan - sets objectives, study questions, and research methods.  Distributed for public comment.
2. Research and Analysis - collect and assess program data from the utilities and program managers in addition to primary research like survey, project site visits, and interviews.
3. Final Report - draft reports are distributed for public comment before being finalized and archived on California Measurement Advisory Council (calmac.org).
4. Response to Recommendations (RTR)– the findings and recommendations from the evaluation are responded to by the program administrators and/or implementing utilities on whether and how to use recommendations
   • Customer Generation RTR Guide

Current Evaluations

Evaluation consultants may reach out to current or previous program participants to conduct primary research such as an online survey, interview, or site visit.

To receive up-to-date notices of evaluation bidding opportunities and reports, join the service list for the proceeding or check the individual program page.