Thursday, September 22, 2011

Single-Family Affordable Solar Housing

Rebates from $4.75 - $7 per W-AC for the installation of solar panel (PV) systems.

Learn more about this energy rebate or let us connect you with a Los Angeles Solar contractor who knows about this rebate and will help you get started.


The California Solar Initiative (CSI) provides financial incentives for installing solar technologies through a variety of smaller sub-programs. Of the $3.2 billion in total funding for the CSI, $216 million has been set aside for programs to help fund photovoltaic (PV) installations on low-income housing. Half of that $216 million is funding the Multi-Family Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) program, and the other half is funding the Single-Family Affordable Solar Housing (SASH) Program. The SASH program is being administered on behalf of the investor-owned utilities by GRID Alternatives. Income-eligible customers of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE) and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) may participate. In general, the household's total income must be 80% of the area median income (AMI) or less.

Twenty percent of the total funds for the SASH program ($21,668,000) will be dedicated to providing fully subsidized 1 - 1.2 kW systems to qualifying households. Qualifying households are owner-occupied and the total income for the household is up to 50% of AMI. Households making more than 50% of AMI, but less than 80% of AMI can be eligible for a partially subsidized system according to the following table:

Federal Income Tax Liability Qualifying Low-Income CARE-Eligible Homeowners Qualifying Low-Income Homeowners not eligible for CARE
$0 $7.00/W-AC $5.75/W-AC
$1.00 - $1,000 $6.50/W-AC $5.25/W-AC
$1,000+ $6.00/W-AC $4.75/W-AC


Before a PV system is installed through the SASH program, all appropriate energy efficiency measures should be pursued. If an applicant's income status qualifies for the Low Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) program, GRID Alternatives' staff will the assist applicant in enrolling in the LIEE program. If a client does not qualify for the LIEE service, GRID Alternatives' staff will conduct a basic residential energy audit.