Solar & Battery Regulation & Incentive Programs

California Solar Initiative - Single-Family Affordable Solar Housing (SASH) Program

Program Overview


Category:
Financial Incentive
Program Type:
Rebate Program
Implementing Sector:
State
State:
California
Eligible Storage Technologies:
Solar Photovoltaics
Website:
http://www.gridalternatives.org/sash
Incentive Amount:
$3/W CEC-AC
Eligible System Size:
Minimum system size: 1 kW CEC-AC Maximum system size: 5 kW CEC-AC
Equipment Requirements:
Must use CEC-certified PV modules and inverters
Systems must be grid-connected.
Inverters and modules must each carry a 10-year warranty.
PV modules must be UL 1703-certified
Inverters must be UL 1741-certified, and tested by the Energy Commission
Installation Requirements:
Systems must be installed by appropriately licensed California solar contractors who have been accepted by the SASH program manager as a SASH program partner installer or self-installed by the system owner. A significant portion of the PV system will be installed directly by GRID Alternatives.
Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits:
Remains with project owner
Administrator:
GRID Alternatives
Applicable Sectors:
Low Income Residential
Budget :
$108.3 million
Start Date:
07/01/2009
Expiration Date:
12/31/2021
Utility:
Pacific Gas & Electric Co, San Diego Gas & Electric Co, Southern California Edison Co
Last Updated:
06/04/2019
Funding Source
Rate-payer funds

Eligibility Criteria

EligibilitySectorsTechnologies
min kW-CEC-AC1.0000
Low Income Residential
Solar Photovoltaics
max kW-CEC-AC5.0000
Low Income Residential
Solar Photovoltaics
$/W-CEC-AC3.0000
Low Income Residential
Solar Photovoltaics

Summary

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. Also see this website.


Authorities

NameEnacted DateEffective DateExpired Date
CA Public Utilities Code § 2851 et seq.8/21/2006
SASH Handbook10/01/2016