Program
Resources
Applications Due
Open to Applications; there are two primary application pipeline statuses for each IOU territory: open and closed. Program Status by Utility.
Total Funding
Funding Source
Maximum Award
Award Details
California's SOMAH Program provides financial incentives to all qualified affordable multifamily apartment homes to aid in solar installation costs. See the Program Handbook for full incentive details. Tribal-owned properties can now receive 60% of the incentive upfront with an Early Payment.
Eligibility
SOMAH eligibility requires that a property must:
- Have at least five units
- Be deed-restricted low-income residential rental housing
- Satisfy one of the following:
66% of the property residents have incomes at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI)
OR
Property is in a defined disadvantaged community (DAC) that scores in the top 25% of census tracts statewide in the CalEnviroScreen including property that is located on tribal land and is federally recognized
OR
The property is owned by a California Native American Tribe
OR
The property is rental housing property that is owned by a public housing authority or public housing agency - Be an existing housing property or retrofit (with certificate of occupancy)
- Have separately metered units
- Be a utility or community choice aggregator (CCA) customer (with VNEM) in the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), PacifiCorp or Liberty Utilities territories
Eligible Activities
Total eligible project costs cover the solar energy system and its ancillary equipment. Additional equipment and other costs outside of the project scope are considered ineligible project costs (see below). For large, multifaceted projects where the solar energy system costs are embedded into other project costs, applications must include an estimate of the total eligible costs for the solar energy system. Through the SOMAH Program, funding may be reserved for property owners/operators who have committed to the purchase and installation of an eligible PV system at a given project site. A funding reservation provides the purchaser assurance that the reserved funds will be available when the Incentive Claim is made.
Duration
Notable Requirements
Job training is required for every SOMAH project in the form of paid solar training opportunities and potentially permanent jobs that ensure lasting economic impacts in communities throughout California. A regulatory agreement, deed restriction or similar document is required for SOMAH eligibility. For Tribal Groups, three common regulatory agreement/deed restriction documentation packages are: Regulatory Documents (standalone); Regulatory Documents + SOMAH Income Affidavit; and Regulatory Documents + Tribal Government or Tribal Housing AuthorityResolution.
Preferences
See the Program Eligibility Criteria and Requirements section in the Program Handbook for full details.
How to Apply
Tribal Groups: 1) Please check if the property meets other program eligibility criteria at SOMAH’s See If You Qualify webpage. 2) Fill out SOMAH’s Affordability Prescreen form and upload a copy of the regulatory agreement or deed restriction documentation. You will receive specific feedback on eligibility status from the SOMAH Program Administrator. 3) SOMAH’s Technical Assistance Support Services offer no-cost, no-obligation help with every step and milestone of a project.
Program contact: Alyssa Golinar, alyssa.golinar@calsomah.org.