SOMAH makes communities stronger
The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program provides financial incentives for installing photovoltaic (PV) energy systems on multifamily affordable housing. The program delivers clean power and credits on energy bills to hundreds of thousands of California’s affordable housing residents.
SOMAH’s unique community-based approach ensures long-term direct economic benefits for low-income households, helps catalyze the market for solar on multifamily housing and creates jobs.
Eligible Properties in the SJV
- The SOMAH program serves multifamily affordable housing in Pacific Gas & Electric Company Southern California Edison Company
- SOMAH prioritizes affordable housing units in SJV disadvantaged communities.
- 324 eligible properties across Fresno, Tulare Kern, and Kings Counties
Energy Costs Savings
- Reduces electricity costs for building operations and tenants
- Provides tenants access to clean energy
- Protects tenants from rent increases due to participation
- Provides direct energy cost savings to tenants through utility bill credits
-SOMAH Blog: How to Save Money While Energy Costs Spike
Workforce Development
Creates pathways to clean energy jobs. Brings opportunities for a better future to the residents in your communities Provides on-the-job solar installation training for tenants and your local community Prioritizes tenants and community residents for job training Stimulates the local economy.
Creates Sustainable, Healthy Communities
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions Improving air quality Reducing in indoor/outdoor air pollutants Reducing dependence on fossil fuels Educating tenants on renewable energy and conservation.
On August 18, 2021, Self-Help Enterprises and Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN), the nation’s leading home solar, battery storage, and energy services provider, held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a new solar installation to 60 affordable rental homes in this agricultural community in the San Joaquin Valley. The Sand Creek solar project is 138 kilowatts, which provides nearly $50 per month bill savings for residents.
“We are excited for our residents at Sand Creek Apartments, who will be saving nearly $50 a month on their utility bills,” said Tom Collishaw, CEO of Self-Help Enterprises.
The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) Program is intended to assist job trainees by helping them to acquire or strengthen a skill set, network opportunities with solar contractors and industry leaders, or being a part of installing solar energy in environmental justice communities. In the case of Oscar Flores, a former SOMAH job trainee from El Monte, it was all three.
Oscar was an undergraduate student majoring in Electrical Engineering at the University of California, San Diego. He he did not consider this a career path in renewable energy for himself until he began volunteering on solar panel installations with GRID Alternatives. After completing his training, Oscar began working for Motive Energy, in Victorville, CA, where he is currently a systems engineer. A position he feels his time with SOMAH prepared him to successfully attain.
At Self-Help Enterprises, we are working with SOMAH to bring these job training opportunities and the benefits of solar to the San Joaquin Valley. To learn more about job training opportunities with SOMAH and how you can be involved, contact Self-Help Enterprises.
Funding for the SOMAH program is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Self-Help Enterprises today to learn more about SOMAH by calling 559-651-1000 and asking for the Sustainable Energy!