What is Green Button Proxy?
Green Button Proxy is one of UtilityAPI’s data access methods, which uses a utility’s data-sharing platform, such as Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E’s) Share My Data platform, to complete the authorization and data transmission process.
Each utility’s data-sharing platform requires new users to complete the registration process and set up a server, which can take three (3) to twelve (12) months. Our Green Button Proxy method eliminates this process by allowing users to complete data collections via UtilityAPI’s approved registration.
What are the benefits of Green Button Proxy?
Green Button Proxy provides users with the following benefits:
- An alternative authorization process. Green Button Proxy allows the utility account holder to input this information directly into the utility’s website, boosting the customer authorization conversion rate.
- No multi-factor authentication (MFA) requirements. Green Button Proxy bypasses any MFA requirements a utility has in place, boosting the customer authorization conversion rate.
- API-based data transmission. Green Button Proxy data transmission is completed via API, decreasing the time it takes to receive customer utility data.
Which utilities does UtilityAPI’s Green Button Proxy support?
Green Button Proxy is currently available for the following utilities:
- Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)
- Southern California Edison (SCE)
What data types are available via Green Button Proxy?
The following data types are available via Green Button Proxy:
- Meter data,
- Bill data,
- Interval data,
Bill PDFs are not currently available.
Why do my customers see 'UtilityAPI, Inc.' instead of my company on the utility’s data-sharing platform?
During the authorization process, the utility account holder (i.e., the utility customer) will see the following language on the utility’s data-sharing platform:
- PG&E: “UtilityAPI Inc. requests data access as follows:”
- SCE: “You are choosing to share your SCE data with: UtilityAPI, Inc.
This is because UtilityAPI is the company registered with the utility’s data-sharing platform.
When your company uses our Green Button Proxy method, UtilityAPI serves as a proxy, so the utility account holder (i.e., utility customer) authorizes the sharing of utility data with UtilityAPI and your company.
How can my company’s name appear on the utility’s data-sharing platform instead of UtilityAPI’s?
To have your company’s name appear on the utility’s data-sharing platform and be listed on their third-party directory, users have two options:
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Register for each utility-data-sharing platform. This process can take between three (3) and twelve (12) months to complete and often includes:
- Submitting an application, and working with utility representatives to modify the application multiple times,
- Reviewing and agreeing to each each utility’s terms and conditions,
- Setting up a server to host the utility’s API.
- Use UtilityAPI’s Green Button Hosting data access method. UtilityAPI can complete the registration process on behalf of your company and integrate the utility’s API directly into your account.
Learn more about our Green Button Hosting data access method.
Why does each utility’s data-sharing platform look different?
Each utility has its own data-sharing platform that they have either built in house or contracted with a software firm.
Regardless of how the utility's data-sharing platform looks, UtilityAPI’s proxy authorization form is designed to be as simple and clear as possible for the utility account holder.
Why can’t I embed a Proxy Authorization form?
Due to the variation in each utility’s data-sharing platform, we do not support embedding proxy authorization forms at this time.
What should I do if I am not getting the data I need?
If you are missing data fields or not receiving the expected date ranges, complete the following steps:
- Verify which data was shared by the utility account holder. UtilityAPI can only collect the data that the utility account holder has specifically authorized on the utility’s data-sharing platform.
- Ask the utility account holder to re-authorize. If the utility account holder believes they share all available data, ask them to re-authorize by resending them your unique Proxy Data Request link.
- Contact support. If you are still not receiving the data needed, please contact our support team.
How do I sign up for Green Button Proxy?
Contact sales@utilityapi.com to get set up and start using Proxy.