Solar Energy


Residential Solar Programs

Energy for All

Program Administrator

  • Energy for All is a program of GRID Alternatives, a community-based nonprofit organization that connects families with state and local government programs and other resources that help them save money.

Description

  • The Energy for All Program helps low-income households, multifamily housing providers and utility partners across the country reduce electricity costs and generate community wealth with clean, renewable solar energy. 

Eligibility:

  • To see if you qualify, please visit EnergyForAllProgram.org/news or call (213) 213-5899. Plus, under Share the Savings, refer a friend or a family member and, if they use the program, you can receive a $200 referral fee.

Energy For All in Paramount:

  • The City of Paramount and its partnership with GRID Alternatives were recently featured on KCET’s “Earth Focus” television series. GRID Alternatives is a non-profit organization that provides free home solar installations to income-qualifying residents. To date, eight Paramount families have gained solar panels for their homes through the GRID Alternatives Program.
  • Watch the video below (the Paramount portion begins at 14:12)


Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Program

Program Administrator

Description

  • The SASH Program provides qualifying low-income homeowners fixed, up-front, capacity-based incentives to help defray the costs of installing a solar electric system. GRID Alternatives staff will work with you to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements below. The SASH program is part of Grid Alternatives’ Energy for All Program. 

Eligibility:

  • Receive electrical service from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), or San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
  • Own and live in their home
  • Have a household income that is 80 percent or below the area median income. This will be based on the previous year’s tax return. Click here to view the median income in your county.
  • Live in a home defined as “affordable housing,” as defined by California Public Utilities (P.U.) Code 2852

Los Angeles County Median Income

wdt_ID Household Size 80 Percent Area Median Income
1 1 $63,100
2 2 $72,100
4 3 $81,100
5 4 $90,100
6 5 $97,350
7 6 $104,550
8 7 $111,750
9 8 $118,950

Apply:

  • If you believe you qualify, complete the online eligibility form or call GRID Alternatives toll-free at (866) 921-4696 to coordinate a pre-screening phone conversation.

The DAC-Single-family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH)

Program Administrator:

Description:

  • This program enables qualified homeowners in Disadvantaged Communities to receive no-cost rooftop solar installations. DAC-SASH is currently accepting applications. The DAC-SASH program is part of Grid Alternatives’ Energy for All Program. 

Eligibility:

CARE Income Guidelines*

wdt_ID Number of Persons in HousehoId Total Combined Annual Income
1 1-2 up to $34,480
2 3 up to $43,440
4 4 up to $52,400
6 5 up to $61,360
7 6 up to $70,320
8 7 up to $79,280
9 8 up to $88,240
10 Each Additional Person up to $8,960

 Effective as of June 1, 2020
*Current gross (before taxes) household income from all sources.

FERA Gudielines

wdt_ID Number of Persons in Household Total Combined Annual Income*
1 1-2 Not eligible
2 3 $43,441–$54,300
3 4 $52,401–$65,500
4 5 $61,361–$76,700
5 6 $70,321–$87,900
6 7 $79,281–$99,100
7 8 $88,241–$110,300
8 Each Additional Person $8,960–$11,200

Apply: 

  • GRID is accepting applications to DAC-SASH through its Energy for All Program. The Energy for All Program bundles state funding for solar with other local incentives and private philanthropy to make solar technology available at low to no cost to its clients. See if you qualify.

Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH)

Program Administrator:

Description:

  • The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program provides financial incentives for installing photovoltaic (PV) energy systems on multifamily affordable housing. The program will deliver clean power and credits on energy bills to California’s affordable housing residents.
  • Program Handbook 
  • Technical Assistance

Eligibility: 

  • To be eligible for a SOMAH incentive, a property must:
  • Have at least five units
  • Be deed-restricted low-income residential housing (special considerations for HUD and USDA properties)
  • Satisfy one of the following: 
    • Eighty percent of property residents have incomes at or below 60 percent of the area median income (AMI)
    • Property is located in a defined disadvantaged community (DAC) that scores in the top 25 percent of census tracts statewide in the CalEnviroScreen 3.0
  • Be an existing building or retrofit (new construction properties may receive upfront technical assistance but must have their certificate of occupancy before submitting a reservation request)
  • Have separately metered units
  • Be a utility or community choice aggregator customer in the Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, PacifiCorp or Liberty Utilities territories

Check out the Eligible SOMAH Property Map.

Apply: 

  • Applying for SOMAH incentive funding requires specific documentation throughout the planning and installation process
  • Applications are only accepted online via the application portal, PowerClerk—which tracks your project’s progress, keeps your paperwork organized in a single location and allows SOMAH to provide accurate statistics on the program’s performance.