Switching to Solar: Opportunities for Low-Income Families

Switching to solar is an excellent way to reduce household energy costs, lessen fossil fuel use, and reduce your dependence on the power grid. However, the upfront cost of a system can be a barrier, especially for households with limited incomes. Fortunately, there are many options for switching to solar energy, and there are many opportunities for households to get reduced rates based on income. 

The following resources offer a variety of programs that can help households qualify for solar.

Single-Family Solar Installations

There are multiple programs that provide solar for income-qualified houses. Some are specific to particular states. The following state programs are administered by GRID Alternatives, the largest nonprofit solar installer in the nation.

1. The Disadvantaged Communities–Single-Family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) program is a California state program. It offers $8.5 million in annual incentives to help low-income families go solar. Find out more information here: DAC-SASH
2. The Energy for All program provides residents of California, Colorado, Maryland, or Washington D.C. with energy saving programs and job training opportunities.  
3. Find out more information here:  Energy for All 
4. CAP Solar is a community action organization that offers community solar to low income households

The Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) is a California-specific program that “provides low-income households with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy efficiency upgrades at no cost to residents.” Find out more information here: Low Income Weatherization Program

Community Solar and Multifamily Solar

A community solar program offers the opportunity for households to purchase solar energy from another location, without installing it on their own rooftops. This is a great option for renters or those who otherwise cannot purchase their own rooftop systems. There are a variety of companies that provide community solar programs. To see if a community solar project is available near you, visit rooflesssolar.com and enter your zip code to discover projects operating where you live. 

You can also contact your local utility company for information on sponsored solar communities. www.solarreviews.com/going-solar-with-your-utility

Multifamily solar enables affordable housing providers, building owners, or large apartment complexes to install solar systems, benefiting tenants with lower energy costs. To learn more about multifamily community solar, check out this report from NREL and the National Community Solar Partnership that covers the benefits of solar on multifamily buildings. 

Panels can be rooftop or ground-mounted, offsetting common area or tenant electricity use via master metering, individual meters, or virtual net energy metering (VNEM) for bill credits.