Public Grid Evaluations – Data & Sources

We combine authoritative wildfire, weather, infrastructure, and community datasets to identify the best candidate areas and homes for evaluation. Below are the primary sources we rely on (with live catalogs/tools where you can view or download the data).

A. Core Catalogs & Tools

• WIFIRE Commons Data Catalog – Central entry point to search wildfire-relevant datasets (perimeters, ignition probability, base layers, biomass, utility territories, etc.).
  https://wifire-data.sdsc.edu/catalog

• Firemap (UCSD/WIFIRE) – An operational web tool visualizing historical fires, active perimeters, RAWS weather, air-quality stations, and forecast layers (NWS HRRR/NDFD).
  https://firemap.sdsc.edu/

B. Wildfire History, Risk & Drivers

• California Fire Perimeters (1878–present) – Annual FRAP-sourced statewide perimeters.
  https://wifire-data.sdsc.edu/dataset/california-fire-perimeters

• Wildfire Perimeters (NIFC, active) – Near-real-time perimeters from the National Incident Feature Service.
  https://wifire-data.sdsc.edu/dataset/nifc-wildfire-perimeters

• Ignition Probability (Human & Lightning Causes) – Statewide rasters modeling ignition likelihood.
  https://wifire-data.sdsc.edu/dataset/ignition-probability

• Prescribed Burns & Mutual Aid Regions – Recent prescribed fire footprints and Cal OES mutual-aid boundaries.
  https://wifire-data.sdsc.edu/dataset/prescribed-burns

• Annual Biomass (2001–2021) – Above- and below-ground biomass estimates.
  https://wifire-data.sdsc.edu/dataset/annual-biomass

C. Weather, Forecast & Monitoring Inputs

• Firemap Station Layers & Forecasts – RAWS/HPWREN/SDG&E stations with weather and NWS forecasts.
  https://firemap.sdsc.edu/

D. Infrastructure & Community Context

• California Electric Utility Service Territories (HIFLD) – GeoJSON/KML delineations of service areas.
  https://wifire-data.sdsc.edu/dataset/california-electric-utility-territories

• Base Data Package (Task Force/State) – Roads, ownership, and basemaps for logistics planning.
  https://wifire-data.sdsc.edu/dataset/california-base-data-package

• Statewide Crop Mapping (Land IQ/DWR) – Land-use context for interface and ag load planning.
  https://wifire-data.sdsc.edu/dataset/california-crop-mapping

E. Power Reliability & Outage Context

• California Power Outage Areas (live, state open data) – Aggregated from utility outage maps (~15 min updates).
  https://data.ca.gov/dataset/california-power-outage-areas

• PSPS Mapping Methods – Methods for frequency/duration analysis of Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
  https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/psps

Programs & Funding Pathways (California + Federal)

These programs can reduce out-of-pocket costs for solar + storage, or pay customers for targeted load reduction during grid emergencies. We align candidates with the most advantageous stack they qualify for.

A. California Programs

• SGIP – Self-Generation Incentive Program (CPUC)
  https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/sgip

• PG&E SGIP Customer Portal
  https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/save-energy-money/savings-programs/self-generation-incentive-program/self-generation-incentive-program.page

• ELRP – Emergency Load Reduction Program (CPUC)
  https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/elrp

• SDG&E ELRP Program
  https://www.sdge.com/elrp

• SOMAH – Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing
  CPUC program page: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/electrical-energy/demand-side-management/somah
  Program website: https://www.somah.org/

• DAC-SASH – Disadvantaged Communities Single-Family Solar Homes
  CPUC program page: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/electrical-energy/demand-side-management/dac-sash
  GRID Alternatives program info: https://gridalternatives.org/what-we-do/programs/dac-sash

• SASH (Legacy)
  https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/electrical-energy/demand-side-management/sash

B. Federal Incentives

• Residential Clean Energy Credit (ITC, 30%)
  IRS overview: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/residential-clean-energy-credit
  IRS Form 5695 Instructions: https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i5695
  IRS Form 5695: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf

• Battery Storage Technology Credit (ENERGY STAR summary)
  https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits/battery_storage

How We Use These Resources

• Screening & Prioritization – Overlay fire perimeters, ignition probability, biomass/fuel context, and outage history with utility territories.

• On-the-Ground Timing – Align outreach with forecast windows (wind, heat, fuel moisture).

• Program Fit – Pre-check addresses against utility territories and program criteria to propose the most cost-effective path (SGIP, DAC-SASH, SOMAH, ELRP, ITC).