San Diego Community Power reports pilot results: 27 roofs readied for state solar program; commercial and refrigeration pilots show early savings potential

San Diego Community Power staff told the agency's Community Advisory Committee at its Oct. 9 meeting that three pilot efforts have yielded lessons and measurable near‑term outcomes for low‑income homeowners, commercial customers and small food retailers.

The pilots were described as limited tests meant to inform larger program design. Nelson Lomeli, a program lead, said the Disadvantaged Community Single-Family Solar Homes (DAC‑SASH) readiness pilot exceeded its target: “we ended up exceeding our goal and, target and have 27 homes participate in the pilot,” he said. GRID Alternatives conducted outreach and site work for the pilot; the agency spent about $490,000 of a $500,000 allocation and estimates the homes will receive average 4.2 kilowatt solar systems.

The pilot's purpose and results

The DAC‑SASH readiness pilot, funded in part by a $2 million pilot budget in Community Power’s FY24–25 budget, paid to replace or repair roofs so eligible low‑income homeowners could participate in the state’s DAC‑SASH program, which provides no‑cost rooftop solar. Staff told the committee GRID Alternatives outreached to…