Take your energy planning beyond solar!
The SOMAH Program encourages property owners and tenants to explore programs that offer ways to finance energy upgrades and improvements. Many programs provide no-cost technical assistance that can help you identify potential energy cost savings.
Utility Territory Single Point of Contact
California Multifamily Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
Each investor-owned utility offers a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) service to assist multifamily property owners, residents, managers and contractors by identifying current programs and financing offerings for energy efficiency upgrades and construction. Interested in energy efficiency programs offered in your territory? Reach out to SPOC for a referral to other program offerings! SPOC can also assist with program layering opportunities to maximize your savings.
Contact the SPOC team for your utility to learn more:
Energy Efficiency
Multifamily Energy Savings Program
The Multifamily Energy Savings Program is designed to deliver comprehensive and cost-effective energy efficiency and weatherization measures to income-qualified multifamily property owners and tenants across California. We serve deed and non-deed restricted multifamily buildings in Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) service territories.
Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP)
The California Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) , funded by the California Department of Community Services and Development, supports property owners and residents to lower utility costs, save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in large multifamily properties. Through the Association for Energy Affordability, the program offers financial incentives, free property assessments, work scope development, contractor procurement, construction management assistance and quality control. Incentives can cover a significant portion of energy efficiency and solar installation costs.
Energy-Smart Homes
Energy-Smart Homes is a statewide program that provides incentives for advanced energy measures and transiting to all-electric residences. It offers funds for existing and new construction multifamily low-rise (three stories or fewer) properties to convert gas appliances and equipment to electrical systems, including heat pump space heating, heat pump water heating, electric or induction cooking and electric clothes drying. Property owners can enroll one or more buildings in the program and are not required to convert an entire property.
TECH/Switch is On (SIO)
Switch is On is a statewide campaign that educates people about home electrification, inspires them to want all-electric homes and provides tools and resources when they are ready to make the switch.
Multifamily Affordable Housing Electrification Program (MAHEP)
The Multifamily Affordable Housing Electrification Program (MAHEP) is administered by the South Coast AQMD and provides incentives for existing low-income multifamily properties to upgrade combustion-based NOx producing equipment with high efficiency electric heat pumps and induction cooktops.
Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN)
The Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) Multifamily Program offers technical assistance and financial incentives to property owners to make energy upgrades that provide savings, add value, improve tenant comfort and reduce maintenance costs. Improvements can range from system replacements to full rehabilitation. Start your upgrades with the Comprehensive Common Area Program or the Whole Building Program .
BayREN/Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancements Program (BAMBE)
BAMBE provides financial incentives and no-cost consulting for energy efficiency, electrification, water efficiency and upgrades, plus covers SOMAH whole-building Energy Efficiency Compliance Milestone.
The Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3CREN)
3C-REN's Multifamily Home Energy Savings (MHES) Program is a multi-measure, whole-building energy efficiency program. MHES provides no-cost technical assistance and rebates for energy efficiency upgrades, including enhanced incentives for heat pump technologies.
Marin Clean Energy (MCE)
MCE offers renewable, locally controlled, cost-competitive electricity options for customers in 37 Bay Area communities. Programs like MCE Cares Credit, EV Rebate, Multifamily Energy Savings and Low Income Families and Tenants, help customers access energy, water and electric vehicle savings. Learn more about MCE's programs.
Financing
BQUEST Foundation
The BQuest Foundation uses philanthropic financing to build and support projects and programs that lower carbon emissions, create more sustainable and resilient communities, and address housing inequities. BQuest provides generous bridge loans for qualified SOMAH projects that need help financing their solar installation from construction to SOMAH rebate. BQuest may also provide low-interest gap funding for some projects that still need financing for the portion of the project not covered by the SOMAH rebate.
Contact BQuest Foundation
GoGreen Financing
Administered by the State of California, GoGreen Financing offers attractive financing options with below-market rates and extended terms to help California multifamily property owners finance common-area and in-unit energy efficiency upgrades. GoGreen Financing can be combined with rebates and incentives to cover remaining project costs. Plus, up to 30% of the total financed amount can be used to finance non-energy improvements such as landscaping, playground equipment, or other renovations.