Everyday Energy, a full-service solar energy integrator specializing in photovoltaic solar and energy efficiency projects for non-profit, government, multi-family and commercial applications has completed Phase II installation of a Multi-family Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) project in downtown San Diego, at the Hacienda Townhomes.
Everyday Energy, a full-service solar energy integrator specializing in photovoltaic solar and energy efficiency projects for non-profit, government, multi-family and commercial applications has completed Phase II installation of a Multi-family Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) project in downtown San Diego, at the Hacienda Townhomes.
This marks the third such installation by Everyday Energy this year. Like this one, previous projects were made possible because of Everyday Energy’s proprietary Solar Service Agreement (SSA) which brings solar energy benefits to the affordable housing community for little or no upfront cost to the non-profit property owner, which in all of these projects was the San Diego Community Housing Corporation (SDCHC).
Everyday Energy is already under contract to begin installation on four more MASH projects this year, totaling about 657 kilowatts. Working closely with SDCHC, California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), the Oceanside, Calif. company is dedicated to bringing the benefits, promise and affordability of renewable energy to low-income residents. “The solar projects we will install this year under the MASH program will provide solar benefits to 458 low-income families,” says Scott Sarem, CEO of Everyday Energy. “The Hacienda Townhomes Phase II project not only significantly reduces energy costs of the residents and non-profit property owner, but it will also help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 1,400 tons of CO2 over 25 years — roughly 300 pounds per day! This is the equivalent of planting 50,000 trees or driving a small car nearly 5 million miles.” The Hacienda Townhomes Phase II solar project also employed four people for each week of the installation and justified three permanent jobs.
The MASH program is part of the California Solar Initiative (CSI) and provides solar rebates to offset the installation costs on qualifying multi-family affordable housing buildings. The solar system at the Hacienda Townhomes will produce about 86,000 KWh of energy annually, which will directly benefit the low-income residents and non-profit property owner via a virtual net metering arrangement with SDG&E.
“The CSI MASH Program is a prime example of how incentives can facilitate renewable energy retrofits for all economic levels of society,” says Agnes Stupak, MASH program manager. “CCSE is proud of its partnerships with the local affordable housing organizations and project developers such as Everyday Energy.”
Likewise, SDCHC Asset Manager Randall Simmrin says his organization is proud to be a part of the energy solution. “The addition of solar panels on our properties has created a positive impact on our residents, through electrical cost savings,” he says. “The decrease of electrical usage on the grid impacts the entire community in a positive way. In partnership with Everyday Energy, we have been able to make this a reality that all of us in San Diego can be proud of.”
This project represents another step Everyday Energy is making in bringing the promise of renewable energy to the affordable housing community and further demonstrates the company’s commitment. “We are proud of the fact that we are the No. 1 provider of solar power to the affordable housing community in California,” says Sarem.
Everyday Energy is nearing completion of two new MASH Track 1 projects, the Town and Country Apartments in San Diego (137kW DC system size) and Phase II of the Torrey Apartments in El Cajon (83kW DC system size). Both projects will be completed this year.
For more information about Everyday Energy and its upcoming projects, visit EverydayEnergy.us.
Everyday Energy
Based in Oceanside, Calif., Everyday Energy specializes in the sale, design, financing and installation of photovoltaic solar and energy efficiency projects for non-profit, government, multi-family and commercial applications.
California Center for Sustainable Energy
The California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that helps residents, businesses and public agencies save energy, reduce grid demand and generate their own power through a variety of rebate, technical assistance and education programs.
