Thousands of low-income families across California are now assured access to money-saving solar technology and clean energy jobs training in the coming years, with the Governors signature on The Equitable Access to Solar Energy Bill (AB217). The new law, signed on October 8, extends Californias groundbreaking low-income solar programs to the year 2021, achieving similar installation targets with only half the current budget.
Today, the Governor affirmed the idea that investing in solar in low-income communities can have a positive multiplier effect in green energy, lower bills, and job training, said Assembly Member Steven Bradford, co-author of AB 217. I appreciate Governor Browns ongoing support for this common sense measure.
The two programs, the Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes and Multi-Family Affordable Solar Housing Programs (SASH and MASH), offer solar rebates for families who meet strict income requirements and live in affordable housing, while creating solar job training opportunities in the fast-growing industry. The first of their kind in the nation, the programs began in 2009 through the California Solar Initiative and were originally slated to sunset in 2015.
GRID Alternatives, which administers the SASH program on behalf of the California Public Utilities Commission, sponsored the bill. GRID has installed solar electric systems for over 3,000 low-income families throughout California through SASH and has incorporated hands-on job training and volunteerism into every project.
These programs have produced significant monthly energy cost-savings that families can use to put food on the table, pay medical expenses, or send their kids to college, said Erica Mackie, GRID CEO and co-founder.
The Governors signature means that families across California will continue to see the benefits of low-cost clean energy, and well be able to provide even more workers with the hands-on experience and networking opportunities they need to get hired in the growing solar industry.