California’s Solar Initiative Illuminates Oakland with Clean Energy
In an era when solar power was once a luxury reserved for the affluent, it is now increasingly reaching low-income households, thanks to a combination of federal and state initiatives. Among those who have benefited from this transition are Joseph Wang and his wife, Meng Rou Lan, residents of St Mary’s Gardens, an affordable housing complex for low-income seniors in Oakland, California.
Facing the challenges of staying warm and energy-efficient during northern California’s winter nights, the elderly couple resorted to a simple yet effective solution: layering up. Joseph Wang, 87, described their approach, saying, “We bundle up during the day, and at night. We use two blankets.” Their efforts to conserve electricity became a necessity when they received a $130 electricity bill last winter.
However, their situation is poised to improve significantly thanks to a publicly funded statewide solar program in California. This program, known as Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (Somah), has been instrumental in bringing solar power to low-income communities. As a resident of St Mary’s Gardens, Joseph Wang stands to benefit from this program as solar panels are installed on the housing complex.
Somah, which began receiving $100 million in annual public funding starting in July 2019, has ambitious goals. By 2030, it aims to generate 300 megawatts of electricity through new solar projects on low-income rental buildings across the state. To put this into perspective, this level of output is akin to the electricity generated by a small nuclear power plant, providing enough energy for 150,000 tenant families.
The Somah program not only offers financial assistance to owners of affordable housing buildings but also focuses on tenant education. Over 100 low-income rental buildings have already completed solar installations through the program, and many more owners have expressed interest in participating. What sets Somah apart is its commitment to direct the financial benefits of solar energy to low-income tenants, ensuring that those living in the most “disadvantaged communities” have access to the advantages of clean energy investments made by the government.
In essence, solar power is breaking down economic barriers and becoming an affordable and sustainable energy source for households that once struggled to make ends meet. Programs like Somah are not only making a difference in the lives of low-income individuals and families but also contributing to California’s broader efforts to combat environmental pollution and the climate crisis.
