Bringing Solar to Those Who Need it Most

One of the unfortunate things about solar energy is how many people still can’t afford it. Though prices are constantly dropping and it’s now more affordable than ever, low-income families still struggle too much to be able to get solar, especially when many of them live in apartments and are not homeowners. However, that’s where the good news begins: a partnership between the California Public Utilities Commission and GRID is bringing solar right to low-income households through the CPUC’s Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) incentive program.

SASH is helping people all over to get solar.

This isn’t the first time SASH has helped others get solar. So far, there are at least 35 programs nationwide doing these solar initiatives, and SASH alone has finished 7038 projects as of June 2018. Connecticut, Minnesota, and Louisiana are just a few of the other states also following suit to provide low-income families with solar energy.

“What are the revenue opportunities in rural communities?” asked the CEO of EEx, Dawn Lippert. “For companies to succeed, they need to figure out solutions for this demographic too.”

Who is GRID helping?

Last year, GRID came to Yadira and Frank Cruz, a low-income couple with a large family, offering to help them install solar on their home. They ended up installing about 4275 watts to their home in Pico Rivera, California, which ended up saving them up to $100 a month. That may not sound like a lot to many people, but to a couple making little money with a large family, that could be the difference between affording rent or not.

These kinds of programs are more important than ever.

Because of Trump’s tariffs in January, programs like the ones GRID and SASH are bringing to low-income households are more important than ever. This is because 80% of the solar energy equipment manufactured comes from outside the United States. This means that there is now a fear that the price of solar will go back up, making it even harder for people to be able to afford it.

Continuing the fight.

Continuing to provide solar energy is also getting harder under this current administration, as government funding towards clean energy continues to be slashed. However, GRID is confident that if the people want it enough, they will get it. The private sector is another viable way of seeking assistance towards programs like these, and with companies becoming more and more aware of the need for renewable energies, Julian Foley, the vice president of communications at GRID, is confident that they will see the budgeting results they need.

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