Small Businesses

Small and medium-sized businesses play a vital role in building a more sustainable community. Whether you’re looking to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, or support clean transportation, there are a variety of programs available to help. From rebates and financing for energy upgrades to EV charger installation assistance and Green Business certification, these resources can make it easier and more affordable to implement sustainable solutions. Explore the options below to find the right support for your business.

For more information, contact energy@smcgov.org or call our hotline at (628) 222-3034 during business hours.

Featured Programs

chef finishing dish with salt before service

San Mateo County Energy Watch (SMCEW) Program

The Energy Watch program assists small businesses in accessing energy efficiency programs, trade professionals, and financing opportunities. This program provides coordination, outreach, referrals, and educational resources to help community members pursue energy efficiency projects. Contact Energy Watch at energy@smcgov.org to learn more about current incentive programs and assistance for small businesses.

San Mateo County Green Business Program

The Sustainability Department certifies and promotes small to medium-sized businesses that operate in an environmentally-responsible manner through the San Mateo County Green Business Program. By offering technical assistance and resources, the County helps local businesses save money by implementing specific practices to reduce pollution, save water, conserve energy, and protect human health.

Learn About San Mateo County Green Business Program

Energy Efficiency Programs

Small businesses can save money, reduce energy use, and enhance their operations through a variety of energy efficiency programs. Whether you need technical assistance, financial incentives, or direct support to implement energy-saving upgrades, these resources can help you lower costs and improve sustainability. From no-cost energy assessments and rebates to 0% interest loans and Green Business certification, explore the options below to find the right solutions for your business.

San Mateo County Energy Watch Program

Small businesses can access energy efficiency programs, qualified trade professionals, and financing opportunities. The program provides coordination, outreach, referrals, and educational resources to support energy-saving projects.

Services include:

Identifying programs that fit your business’s needs
Energy benchmarking to pinpoint opportunities for savings
Connecting you with programs, contractors, and financing options
0% interest loans for projects of $5,000 and more through PG&E

Simplified Savings Program

The Energy Watch connects small businesses with PG&E’s Simplified Savings Program, designed to help the smallest business customers—particularly those in Disadvantaged Communities or classified as Hard-To-Reach—achieve immediate energy savings and reduced utility bill costs. Other non-energy benefits also potentially include improved health, comfort, and safety.

Services may include:

A facility energy assessment
Educational materials on energy efficiency
No-cost or reduced-cost energy-saving upgrades

Go to PG&E Simplified Savings Program

BayREN Business Program

BayREN Business provides small and medium-sized businesses with rebates, financing, and technical assistance to maximize energy savings and reduce operational costs. Increase the resilience of your businesses by lowering energy and maintenance costs while improving the look and feel of your facility. Email energy@smcgov.org for more information.

Program benefits include:

Incentives for energy-efficient lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, and more
Pay-for-performance building management services
A free energy assessment and project management support

Go to BayREN Business

San Mateo County Green Business Program

The Green Business Program certifies and promotes small to medium-sized businesses that adopt environmentally responsible practices. Certified businesses receive technical assistance, financial incentives, and marketing support.

Benefits include:

Lower energy and water bills
Financial incentives of $500–$1,000 for qualifying businesses
Free marketing and inclusion in a directory for certified businesses

Learn more

Electrification Programs

Converting methane gas appliances to electric appliances saves energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and can improve indoor air quality.

Heat Pump Water Heaters for Businesses

Small and large businesses are eligible to receive support for electrifying water heating systems through TECH Clean California’s contractor network. Incentives are offered directly to contractors to support the installation of heat pump water heaters for non-residential customers. This includes installations at any non-residential, non-multifamily facility – for example, retail businesses, office buildings, and schools qualify. Installed heat pump water heaters may only serve the hot water needs of one business or entity; there is no funding for commercial central heat pump water heaters serving the needs of multiple non-residential customers.

Go to TECH Clean California contractor network

EV Charger Programs

Installing EV chargers at your business or multifamily property can help support cleaner transportation and attract employees, customers, and residents who drive electric vehicles. There are programs available to provide free technical assistance, cost-saving incentives, and even no-cost charger installations for eligible sites. Explore the options below to find the right support for your EV charging project.

Multifamily Housing and Small Business EV Charger Program

San Mateo County Energy Watch can connect you with an opportunity to install Level 1 and Level 2 EV chargers at not-for-profit organizations and small businesses, at no cost for sites located in a priority community. This PG&E program includes an education campaign for site residents and employees to increase awareness about the charger installation and other EV benefits and incentives. Email energy@smcgov.org for more information.

Peninsula Clean Energy EV Ready Program

Peninsula Clean Energy’s EV Ready Program offers free technical assistance for your EV charging project via its program partner, CLEAResult. For eligible projects, CLEAResult will provide project scope and design for eligible properties, helping to minimize costs.

In addition to free technical assistance, you may also benefit from lower pricing on EV charging stations. Preferred pricing will only be available to program participants.

Free technical assistance for EV charging projects
Access to negotiated EV charging station pricing
A responsive network of local contractors to install your charging ports

Go to EV Ready Program

Funding and Financing for Small Businesses

Program	Support Available
Green Business Program	$500-$1,000 rebate for purchases made to support certification
SMC Energy Watch	0% interest on loans greater than $5,000, for energy saving building improvements