• Thousands of new homes in California have gone green with state grants.california suburbs image by Xavier MARCHANT from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, California is the largest consumer of energy in the country after Texas. As the climate in California is relatively temperate, the focus of green home construction grants is on energy production, rather than energy efficiency or carbon reduction. These grants subsidize the installation of solar power systems or other technologies that can provide the power a home needs and potentially put power back into the grid. Programs are available for all income levels and housing types.
  
  

Single-Family Affordable Solar Housing (SASH) Program

• This program subsidizes the installation of solar systems on new and existing single-family homes. In some cases, the full amount of the system will be subsidized up to $10,000. To be eligible for this program, your income must be a maximum of 80 percent of the average annual salary for the area. The SASH program will also determine if your family is eligible for the Low Income Energy Efficiency program, which will help you make your home as efficient as possible. Regardless, the SASH program will conduct a basic energy audit on your home prior to installation.
  
  GRID Alternatives - Bay Area
  
  3833 Manila Avenue
  
  Oakland, CA 94609
  
  510-652-4730
  
  gridalternatives.org
  
  

New Solar Homes Partnership

• The California Energy Commission created the New Solar Homes Partnership to encourage the use of solar power systems in new home construction. Not only does this program promote solar panels, it also supports the use of energy-efficient building materials and equipment in construction. To qualify for this program, the home's plans must be at least 15 percent more efficient than current building codes. The more efficient the home, the greater the cash award to the owner or builder.
  
  California Energy Commission
  
  New Solar Homes Partnership
  
  1516 Ninth Street, MS-45
  
  Sacramento, CA 95814-5512
  
  800-555-7794
  
  gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov
  
  

Emerging Renewables Program

• This California Energy Commission program funds the installation of small wind turbines and fuel cell technologies in various building types, including residential homes. To be eligible for this program, you must be a customer of one of the following power utilities: Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Water Company and Bear Valley Electric Service. The maximum award for both technologies is $9,000. Systems must be installed by an approved contractor.
  
  California Energy Commission
  
  Emerging Renewables Program
  
  1516 9th Street MS-45
  
  Sacramento, CA 95814-5512
  
  800-555-7794
  
  consumerenergycenter.org