GRID Alternatives Selected to Administer Program to Increase Solar Access in Environmental Justice Communities
$120 Million Investment Builds on California’s Long-standing Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Program
OAKLAND, CA; March 28, 2019 — (RealEstateRama) — GRID Alternatives, a national leader in making renewable energy technology and jobs accessible to low-income communities, has been selected by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to administer the Disadvantaged Communities – Single-family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) program. The program builds on California’s long-standing and successful Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) program, also administered by GRID Alternatives, providing long-term funding to bring solar power to households located in California’s most disadvantaged communities. The program will provide $8.5 million in incentives annually from 2019 through 2030.
Since it was launched in 2009, the SASH program has reduced the cost of going solar for over 8,000 low-income households, resulting in nearly 25 megawatts of residential solar installation.
In addition, over 16,500 job training students have received hands-on solar installation experience through the program. The DAC-SASH program will similarly integrate job training opportunities into every project, creating ladders of opportunity for individuals from all backgrounds to access well-paid jobs in California’s solar industry, and ensuring lasting community impact.
“Through DAC-SASH, more Californians living in disadvantaged communities will see concrete economic and environmental benefits from our transition to clean energy,” said Cathleen Monahan, vice president of program administration with GRID Alternatives. “Through our model as program administrator and implementer, we’re committed to making solar technology accessible to Californians in low-income households while also providing critical job training, employment opportunities, and consumer protections.”
Prompted by Assembly Bill (AB) 327, the Commission approved the new 12-year program to increase the adoption of clean, affordable solar by residential customers living in disadvantaged communities. To qualify for DAC-SASH, customers must meet income qualifications and live in the top 25 percent most disadvantaged communities statewide using the CalEnviroScreen.
GRID Alternatives will host an informational webinar in March to collect stakeholder input on DAC-SASH program development. Registration information is forthcoming.
About GRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives is a national leader in making renewable energy technology and training accessible to low-income communities. Using a unique, people-first model, GRID develops and implements solar and clean mobility projects that serve qualifying households and affordable housing providers, while providing hands-on job training. GRID has installed solar for more than 13,000 families to-date and helped households and housing providers save $345 million in lifetime electricity costs, while training nearly 30,000 people. In California, GRID is a long-time administrator of statewide clean energy programs serving disadvantaged communities. For more information, visit www.gridalternatives.org.
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Media contact: Sarah Bucci, 720-452-5562,
