Incentive/Application FAQs
- Does installing solar on affordable housing require out-of-pocket costs?
- How much money is available through the MASH program for SCE customers?
- How do I determine if my multi-family building meets the definition of low-income residential housing in the California Public Utilities Code (PUC) Section 2852?
- Does the MASH Program permit use of power purchase agreements?
- How does California Health and Safety Code Section 50079.5 define “lower income households”?
- How much and what types of rebates are available?
- Who is eligible to receive incentives under the MASH program?
- Are tax incentives available?
- Which solar technologies are covered under MASH?
- Are incentives available for solar water heating system?
- How do I apply for MASH incentives?
- Do I need to follow the three-step application process if I’ve already selected an installer?
- How much are application fees?
- How can I check on the status of my application?
- How long will the application process take?
- Can I apply for both Track 1A and Track 1B?
- Why does my PV system need to be field-verified?
- Are there classes offered in solar PV systems?
- Do I need to obtain a building permit?
- How do I find a solar installer I can trust?
- Where can I get more information?
Q1. Does installing solar on affordable housing require out-of-pocket costs?
A: Yes, it does. The customer must pay up-front costs for the photovoltaic equipment and installation; however, MASH incentives, federal investment tax credits, renewable energy credits, and net metering credits can significantly reduce the customer’s cost of photovoltaic equipment and installation. Each project will have a different payback period depending on the type of financing that the customer uses to fund the project.
Q2. How much money is available through the MASH program for SCE customers?
A: Of the $108.34 million allocated to the MASH program, SCE’s portion of the incentive budget is summarized below:
| Incentive Track | Incentive Budget |
|---|---|
| Track 1 A/B | $34,656,032 |
| Track 2** | $9,200,000 |
| Total | $43,856,032 |
* D. 11-07-031 shifted all remaining funds from Track 2 into Track 1. Track 2 awarded projects that total approximately $8.1 million statewide. Any reduction in incentive payments will be moved to Track 1.
** No more than 20% of the Track 2 budget can be awarded in one review cycle.
To learn more, go to the California Law homepage and search for the code section.
Q4. Does the MASH Program permit use of power purchase agreements?
A: The MASH Program allows customers to enter into power purchase agreements with third parties, if the terms and conditions of the agreements comply with all existing statutes and regulations that govern the production and sale of electricity.
Q5. How does California Health and Safety Code Section 50079.5 define “lower income households”?
A: California Health and Safety Code Section 50079.5 defines “lower income households” as follows:
(A) "Lower income households" means persons and families whose income does not exceed the qualifying limits for lower income families as established and amended from time to time pursuant to Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. The limits shall be published by the department in the California Code of Regulations as soon as possible after adoption by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. In the event the federal standards are discontinued, the department shall, by regulation, establish income limits for lower income households for all geographic areas of the state at 80 percent of area median income, adjusted for family size and revised annually.
(B) "Lower income households" includes very low income households, as defined in Section 50105, and extremely low income households, as defined in Section 50106. The addition of this subdivision does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.
(C) As used in this section, "area median income" means the median family income of a geographic area of the state.
To learn more, go to the California Law homepage and search for the code section.
Q6. How much and what types of rebates are available?
A. Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) has two incentive tracks – Track 1 A/B and Track 2. Currently, Track 1 offers $1.90/watt for a system that offsets common load and $2.80/watt for a system that offsets tenant load. These rates apply to MASH applications that are placed under review on or after July 14, 2011. This rate is consistent across the three utilities. Unlike general market CSI, MASH does not have a declining rate based on volume of megawatts of confirmed incentive reservations issued in SCE’s service area. Track 2 is a competitive grant application process where the applicant submits a proposed dollar per watt for the project.
Currently, the only incentive type available for the MASH Program is the Expected Performance-Based Buydown (EPBB).
Q7. Who is eligible to receive incentives under the MASH program?
A. Eligible electric customers of PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E may receive an incentive through the MASH program. In addition, all existing multifamily affordable housing that meet the definition of low income residential housing established in Public Utilities Code § 2852.a.2.
Specifically, this means multifamily housing financed with low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds, general obligation bonds, or local, state or federal loans or grants. The facility must also meet the definition of low-income households in Health and Safety Code § 50079.5
Planned new housing construction, including new housing development projects and new custom homes, are eligible for the New Solar Homes Partnership program. The Single Family Low Income Incentive Program, which is intended for homeowners who qualify for low-income housing programs, is expected to be rolled out in the first quarter of 2009.
Q8. Are tax incentives available?
A. In addition to rebates available through MASH, your project may also be eligible for a federal tax credit. Consult the IRS or your tax consultant for details on available tax credits. For additional information, click here. For the most current status of these tax credits, you should contact the Internal Revenue Service and/or your tax preparer.
Q9. Which solar technologies are covered under MASH?
A. MASH incentives are available for solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies (roof-mounted, ground-mounted and building-integrated PV) sized to meet actual or forecast on-site load.
Q10. Are incentives available for solar water heating system?
A. Incentives are now available for solar water heating systems in SCE’s service area. For more information, please go to www.sce.com/csithermal.
Q11. How do I apply for MASH incentives?
A. In nearly all situations, the installer takes care of the application on the customer’s behalf when applying for Track 1 incentives. Applications proceed through several stages before payment—from Requested to Reserved to Completed. Qualified installers understand the application process and can optimize customers’ incentives by completing the application and submitting all required documents.
Q12. Do I need to follow the three-step application process if I’ve already selected an installer?
A. Generally, MASH applications go through the three-step application process. However, applicants can opt-in to the two-step process. Keep in mind that your application is still subject to the requirements detailed in the three-step application process.
Q13. How much are application fees?
A. For MASH applications placed under review on or after July 14, 2011 an application fee is required for systems that are 10 kW CEC-AC or greater. Please check the CSI Handbook for more details.
Q14. How can I check on the status of my application?
A. For Track 1, Your installer can provide you with regular updates regarding the status of your application. You can also contact your program administrator at (866) 584-7436 to get project updates.
Q15. How long will the application process take?
A. SCE strives to take less than 30 days to confirm MASH Track 1 reservation requests. Application processing time depends on a number of factors, including the speed with which applicants respond to requests for more information or application corrections.
To help ensure your application is processed quickly, please note the most frequent issues encountered with applications are: missing energy efficiency audit; listed equipment does not match EPBB tool calculator printout; copy of executed contract for system purchase and installation; missing signature(s); and incomplete or missing documentation.
MASH applicants are granted a reservation period of 18 months to complete their project.
Q16. Can I apply for both Track 1A and Track 1B?
A. Yes, you can apply for both Track 1A to offset common load and Track 1B to offset tenant load. The system for the common area must be sized so that the system primarily offsets part or all of the common area’s electrical needs. Tenant areas will be aggregated for sizing limits. For example, up to 50 kW of a system may be allocated to 10 units in a building without requiring system size justification because the average will be 5 kW or less.
Q17. Why does my PV system need to be field-verified?
A: Installed systems must be field-verified to ensure the installation of high-performance PV systems that are consistent with the information used to determine the estimated performance, reservations and ultimately the final rebate.
Q18. Are there classes offered in solar PV systems?
A. SCE hosts monthly Introduction to the California Solar Initiative classes. The class is not specific to MASH, however, it can provide you with a general understanding of PV systems. Please visit www.sce.com/csi for more information.
Q19. Do I need to obtain a building permit?
A. You will probably need to obtain a permit from the city or county building department. A solar vendor/installer may be able to assist with this.
Q20. How do I find a solar installer I can trust?
A. Qualified contractors are your key to getting the most productive solar system for your home or business. Choose a reputable installer by interviewing at least three potential installers and obtaining bids before making your selection.
Except for those systems that are self-installed, all systems must be installed by appropriately licensed California contractors in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the California Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB). All systems must be installed in conformance with the manufacturer’s specifications and with all applicable electrical and building code standards.
Q21. Where can I get more information?
A. For additional information on “going solar,” visit www.sce.com/csi or www.gosolarcalifornia.gov.ca.
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