If your property owner is working with the SOMAH Program to install a solar system on your building, here’s what you can expect once your building goes solar.

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SOMAH ensures long-term, direct economic benefits for tenants and households.

  • The solar system will provide clean energy for your home and for common areas like the laundry room, hallways and community spaces.
  • An approved SOMAH contractor will install the solar system.
  • The solar system will be maintained and operated by your property owner or a contractor.
  • Maintenance and operations of your building’s solar system are at no cost to you.
  • After the solar system is installed and turned on, you will start to see credits that will lower your monthly utility bill.
  • You will have the opportunity to enroll in energy efficiency programs and will be connected to the Energy Savings Assistance Program, a no-cost weatherization service to help with energy saving.

Eligible SOMAH solar contractor or property owner

  • You receive direct financial benefits on your energy bill.
  • You will not see an increase in rent due to the solar system being installed.
  • You will not be responsible for the maintenance or operational costs of the solar system.
  • Your building will be powered by clean renewable energy.
  • SOMAH provides paid job training opportunities.

SOMAH requires building owners to sign two legally-binding documents: an Affidavit Ensuring 100% Tenant Economic Benefit, which guarantees your rent will not increase and you will receive financial savings from having solar on your building; and an Affidavit Ensuring Tenant Education, which requires property owners to provide you with SOMAH-approved educational information.

SOMAH provides a tenant hotline to help you with any issues

SOMAH project durations may vary, based on a few different factors, such as site conditions.

You may request that your property owner and contractor provide a project timeline flyer. This will help you understand the progress of the solar installation and when you should expect to start seeing savings.

The SOMAH program is funded by the State of California, using funds designated for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. SOMAH provides several no-cost services to tenants, ensuring that you do not pay anything to access clean energy.

The more you know about SOMAH, the better you can advocate to your landlord. Some highlights to share with your property manager and landlord:

  • SOMAH saves on energy costs, reducing the overall costs of powering the building and keeping energy costs stable even when utility rates fluctuate.
  • SOMAH provides up to 100% of the funding for solar installation on qualifying buildings
  • SOMAH automatically enrolls tenants into an Energy Saving Assistance Program (ESA) to help further reduce tenants' energy use.
  • SOMAH benefits tenants as well as owners, through bill credits and cleaner air.
  • SOMAH supports economic opportunity and growth in your community, creating jobs and developing solar careers.
  • SOMAH can help your building and your neighborhood go carbon-free, contributing to a healthier community and planet.
  • SOMAH provides free upfront technical assistance to help the building owner understand the solar potential for their building, and the costs and the benefits of moving forward with a SOMAH project.

Maximize your savings

When you transition to solar, you will see changes to your utility bill. It is important to understand what these changes mean and how to maximize the savings you can receive.

Energy Efficiency Tips
Solar Energy Basics
Understanding Your Utility Bill After Solar

Get job training experience

As a tenant of a building participating in the SOMAH program, you are eligible to participate in paid job training.

Learn More

Tenant Hotline

Do you have questions about how SOMAH will affect you? Need help interpreting your bill? Not seeing the credits you were expecting? We can help.

Call the tenant hotline or fill out our contact form.

800-843-9728

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