Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOHMA) Program

The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) Program works with tribal entities to bring clean energy to low-income residents in their communities.

SOMAH incentives can often cover up to 80% of solar installation costs and up to 100% of energy storage costs when installed together. Funded by the state of California, SOMAH helps families save on energy bills and gain greater energy security. The program supports tribal goals around resilience, self-sufficiency, and long-term community benefit.

Tribal Eligibility Checklist

To qualify for solar and storage incentives, properties must:

• Be an existing housing property or retrofit.
• Have a qualified affordable housing regulatory agreement.
• Have five or more rental units.
• Be in PG&E, SDG&E, SCE, Liberty Utilities, or Pacific Power service territory.
• Have separately metered units eligible for Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM).
• Have an active compliance period with an effective date and with 10+ years remaining.

AND



Meet at least ONE of the following criteria:

• 66% of the units are reserved at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI).
• Have disadvantaged community (DAC) status as determined by CalEnviroScreen 4.0 DAC census tracts,
• including property that is located on tribal land of a federally recognized tribe.
• The property is owned by a tribe. Pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 355, “tribe” means a California Native

American tribe, as defined in Section 21073 of the Public Resources Code.

More information can be found here on how to qualify: SOMAH | Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing

Check out this video about the program: How SOMAH is Changing California

Have a question? The team is there to help. Contact Alyssa Golinar- alyssa.golinar@calsomah.org or the CPUC Office of Tribal Affairs: TribalAffairs@cpuc.ca.gov

Last Call for Survey Participation!

California Teleconnect Fund and Survey for

Tribal Organizations

The California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) is a program that provides qualifying organizations, including schools, colleges, libraries, hospitals, clinics, healthcare and community-based organizations, with a discount of up to 50 percent on monthly high-speed internet service bills.

The CPUC is requesting Tribal organization participation in the following survey to help staff understand the specific and unique challenges that organizations face in accessing these benefits. The goal is to remove those barriers.

One coordinated response per organization is appreciated. Please reach out to the team with any questions at ctfhelp@cpuc.ca.gov. For more information on the CTF Program, you can find it here: California Teleconnect Fund.