California, whose energy sector is partially deregulated, is an exceptional example of a state with equitable access solar policies. California recognized early on that all its ratepayers and taxpayers, including low-income families, were contributing to the public dollars used to advance the state’s solar economy, and created targeted programming... [read more]
MASH In California, the Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) Program launched in 2009 along with its sister program, the Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Program. MASH/SASH were financed using 10 percent of the overall $2.2 billion budget from the ratepayer-funded California Solar Initiative. The MASH program provides fixed, up-front,... [read more]
California’s first low-income solar incentive programs, SASH and MASH, did not include formal workforce development components. However, as nonprofit GRID Alternatives built out the SASH program, workforce development became increasingly integrated, and it was adopted as a formal program requirement when the two programs were extended in 2015. Workforce... [read more]
Onset Shared Solar Project – Wareham, MA Two 1 MW off-site shared solar projects will benefit 19 affordable housing projects with over 1,000 units and 56 individual residents. Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint Paul, MN Community solar subscriptions will save the St. Paul PHA approximately $3... [read more]
Colorado is an example of a vertically integrated market. In 2010, Colorado became the first in the nation to pass statewide shared renewables legislation, the Community Solar Gardens Act. Five years later, Colorado expanded the program further with HB 15-1284. The Community Solar Gardens Act included direction on a... [read more]
Historically, the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) has operated the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which has been effective in reducing energy burden primarily through reduced home heating costs. However, heating costs in Colorado only make up about 50% of total household energy costs, while the other 50% comes from... [read more]
Overview Approximately 75 percent of individuals across the country do not have access to solar energy solutions, whether because they don’t have suitable roof space, don’t own their home, or face certain financial barriers to going solar. These barriers are even more acute for low-income customers. Community solar programs,... [read more]
