Note: AB 217 of 2013 made several changes to this program. Among other changes, the expiration date was extended to December 31, 2021 or whenever funds are exhausted, and the budget was increased. Specifically, the bill added an additional $108 million to be divided between the SASH and MASH programs. A CPUC ruling in January 2015 changed the incentive structure by removing the incentive tiers and creating a single non-declining incentive rate of $3 per watt.    

The California Solar Initiative (CSI), enacted by SB 1 of 2006, 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.

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.

Contact GRID Alternatives for more information.