About the Program
The Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) program is part of the California Solar Initiative (CSI). It offers incentives for installing eligible photovoltaic (PV) systems for qualifying multifamily affordable housing. It is designed to subsidize PV systems in multifamily housing which will offset electricity loads and provide economic benefits for housing property owners and managers as well as building tenants.
To be eligible for the program, existing multifamily affordable housing must meet the definition of low-income residential housing as defined in Public Utilities Code 2852 and have an occupancy permit for at least two years. MASH is administered by Southern California Edison (SCE) and Pacific Gas and Electric in their respective service territories and the California Center for Sustainable Energy for San Diego Gas & Electric Company's territory.
The goals of the MASH program are:
- Stimulate adoption of solar power in the affordable housing sector
- Improve energy utilization and overall quality of affordable housing through application of solar and energy efficiency technologies
- Decrease electricity use and costs without increasing monthly household expenses for affordable housing building occupants
- Increase awareness and appreciation of the benefits of solar among affordable housing occupants and developers
The MASH program offers two tracks. Track 1 provides fixed, up front, capacity based incentives using Expected Performance-Based Buydown (EPBB) methodology. 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. The MASH incentive rates are fixed and will not increase or decrease without CPUC approval.
Track 2 is a competitive grant application process in which the applicant submits a proposed dollar per watt for a project. The project must demonstrate that it will provide a quantifiable “direct tenant benefit,” which is defined as any operating cost savings from solar—including energy efficiency investments or upgrades— shared with tenants through recurring payments or financial credits.
There is an application window—the first and third quarter of each calendar year—during which applicants can submit Track 2 proposals to their respective Program Administrator (PAs). During the subsequent second and fourth quarters, applicants are notified whether their applications have been approved. Specific application deadlines will be posted on each PA’s Web site. As of July 14, 2011 MASH Track 2 is no longer open to new applications.
| 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.
