Community Solar in the Coachella Valley

The rapid rise in solar panel installation for private California residences has led to concerns about energy equity and justice. Minority and low-income households are less likely to install solar systems, missing opportunities to benefit from sustainable, low-cost energy. In 2016, SB 350 mandated the California Energy Commission to conduct a study identifying barriers in adopting clean energy technologies among low-income and marginalized communities. Lack of homeownership and limited disposable income pose significant barriers these communities to invest in solar. The U.S. Department of Energy and the state of California have a growing number of programs and funding opportunities to support and address energy equity and justice. Through community solar programs, low-income households and those who do not own their homes can benefit from low-cost, renewable energy.

The idea of energy equity and justice is rooted in principles of social justice. It assumes that affordable, reliable energy should be a fundamental human right and a vital component of reducing poverty and increasing quality of life. The key idea in this school of thought is the idea of a "just energy transition." A just energy transition could create economic opportunities but if not managed properly could deepen social and economic inequalities for disadvantaged communities.

The exponential growth in solar energy in the state has lead to justice concerns about the deployment of such technologies. A key dimension of energy justice is distributional justice - everyone should have access to clean, safe, and affordable energy. Energy and distributional justice must be taken into consideration to ensure that policies and programs be accessible to everyone, particularly those who are in marginalized groups (i.e.. low income and persons of color (POC)).

According to Berkley Lab's Energy Markets and Policy 2023 report, the median income for solar adopters in California is $117,000. Solar adopters tend to be more affluent, identify as non-Hispanic white, live outside a disadvantaged community, and own their home. Low-income POC's are less likely to install solar due to lack of income and homeownership. This creates an energy equity problem as they are not able to benefit from reduced energy costs associated with solar. While moderate income households outpace higher income households, due to financial incentives from the state, lower income groups are still being excluded.

The U.S. Department of Energy defines community solar as any solar project within a geographic area in which the benefits flow to multiple customers.

Community solar is a great option for people who are unable to install their own rooftop solar because they are renters, cannot afford traditional solar, or because their roofs are not suited for solar.

Community solar customers typically subscribe to or own a portion of the energy generated by a solar array. They receive an energy credit for the electricity generated by their share of the community solar system.

Community solar allows all households to benefit from solar regardless if their housing infrastructure can or cannot support it. In addition to household savings, community solar builds resilience during weather events such as blackouts. Community solar is necessary to build California's energy and infrastructure resilience during severe weather events such as extreme heat days.

Every year, death from head exposure kills more people than floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined. Experts warn that extreme heat will become more frequent and lethal due to climate change. From 2013-2023, heat was a contributing or underlying cause for over 143 deaths in the Coachella Valley. However, experts believe that that number is higher due to under reporting.

In 2020, neighboring Palm Springs, broke its record for the most consecutive days over 100 degrees. The previous record, set in 1958, saw 135 consecutive days over 100 degrees. Within the last 20 years 7 out of 10 of the hottest July's were recorded in the Coachella Valley, according to the San Diego National Weather Service.

As heat waves intensify, having a good, proper working air conditioning unit can mean life or death for Coachella Valley residents. Federal data shows that low income families have much lower rates of AC units in their homes. Even if families do have AC units, they are reluctant to use it due to the costs of having it run during the summer. Community solar will enable low income Coachella Valley residents to have access to affordable air conditioning, protecting them from extreme heat.

This also addresses the issue of climate maladaptation, adaptation measures that are in tension with climate mitigation. When AC is powered by non-renewable sources, such as fossil fuels, it contributes to carbon emissions that intensify climate change. Therefore, raising temperatures and increasing the need for more AC. Solar powered AC would break the cycle of relying on fossil fuels to keep residents protected from severe heat.

The Coachella Valley is located in Eastern Riverside County. The Valley is a hub for agriculture, recreational, and seasonal activities. However, life in the Valley can look very different. There are two Coachella Valleys - one where residents have the money and infrastructure to install solar, reaping the economic and environmental benefits solar has to offer and one where residents cannot afford to turn on their AC even during the hottest days of the year.

Compared to the rest of Riverside County, residents of south and southeastern Coachella Valley are mostly Latino and low-income. Residents would see the most benefit from community solar due to their socio-economic status as they are less likely to invest in renewable energy.

Below is the Median Household Income (MHI) and Hispanic or Latino population percentage for the locations where the mobile home parks are located.

MHI for Mecca (Census Designated Place) and Coachella.

• Mecca (CDP) MHI 2022 $38,411
• Coachella MHI 2022 $52,466
• Riverside County MHI 2022 $86,748

Percentage Latino in Coachella Valley

• Mecca (CDP) 98% Latino
• Coachella 98% Latino
• Riverside County 52% Latino

Site suitability analysis to identify mobile home communities that could benefit from – and successfully adopt – community solar. They are:

• Huertas Mobile Home Park located at 67959 Lincoln St, Mecca, CA 92254

• Rancho del Sol Mobile Home and RV Park located at 96751 CA-111, Mecca, CA 92254

• Castros Trailer Park located at 53450 Tyler Street, Coachella, CA 92236

• Coachella Mobile Homes Park located at 49615 Harrison St #1, Coachella, CA 92236

These sites were selected based on median household income and location within SCAG’s communities of concern boundaries or AB 617 community boundaries. Location within either boundaries is necessary because SCAG and the South Coast Air Quality Management District Community have already established that there is a need for extra governmental support to improve the wellbeing of residents. Solar will enable residents of these homes to access affordable air conditioning, protecting them from extreme temperatures.

Due to the rural, agricultural nature of the Coachella Valley large swaths of undeveloped land located near the mobile home parks would provide the ample land needed to implement a community solar project. Additionally, the implementation of a community solar project would benefit several the surrounding community. Successful adoption of a community solar project may encourage other communities within AB 617 boundaries and additional SCAG communities of concern in the Coachella Valley to adopt community solar.

In 2016, the California Energy Commission (CEC) adopted SB 350, which required CEC to examine the barriers low income communities face when considering adopting clean energy solutions. Some of the barriers mentioned in the study included limited or lack of disposable income and low homeownership rates. The study provided solutions and recommendations such as reducing the cost of solar access to low income communities and making energy efficiency and onsite renewable tax energy credits a high priority for low income affordable housing.

The state of California, along with Riverside County, offers several financial incentives to assist lower income residents install solar. Below are a a few potential funding opportunities from the state and county.

• Western Riverside County Council of Governments - Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) Financing Program
  • Eligible projects (includes solar photovoltaic) can be financed for up to 25 years
• AB 327 directs the California Public Utilities Commission to develop specific alternatives designed to increase adoption of renewable energy in disadvantaged communities.
  • Community Solar Green Tariff - This program enables customers in a disadvantaged community's to benefit from a local solar project and receive 20% discount on their electricity bill. Community's work with a local non-profit or government sponsor to organize community interest and present siting locations for project.

The Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is the largest investor in clean energy technology development. Funds are awarded through an open, competitive process via EERE's Funding Opportunity eXChange program. Funding opportunity announcements are issued year round. Funding is merit-based with an emphasis on potential clean energy, environmental, and economic benefits.

California's Community Solar Pilot Program is designed to expand access to renewable energy for low-income residents that do not have the ability to participate in existing low-income solar photovoltaic programs due to lack of home ownership or inadequate roofing for solar. Households participating in this pilot program benefit from reduced energy costs while the community benefits from reduced air pollutant emissions associated with fossil fuel energy generation.

This program, launched in 2018, is part of the California Department of Community Services and Development's Low-Income Weatherization Program to reduce energy costs for households that are not currently able to benefit from existing low-income solar programs. There are several barriers to traditional rooftop solar for many Californians. Renters, those living in apartments, not having a suitable roof for solar, or those lacking finance options cannot participate and benefit from community solar. A well designed community solar project increases access to clean, renewable energy by enabling residents to participate in large scale shared solar installation located within their community.

The main goal for this program is to provide funding for the implementation and testing of models to deliver community solar to low income households in an innovative way that can be replicated elsewhere, reduce greenhouse gasses, reduce household energy costs, and provide the local workforce with green jobs.

In 2018, GRID Alternatives-Inland Empire in partnership with Anza Electric Cooperative, Inc., was awarded over $2 million from the state to install a community solar program for the Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians. The nearly 1-megawatt community solar system was the first low-income community solar project the state funded. The project serves 38 homes on Tribal land and over 200 low-income households in the surrounding area. The project was completed in 2021.

As California pushes towards renewable energy, we must ensure that all Californians have access to clean, affordable renewable energy. The rapid rise in solar panel installation for private California residences has led to concerns about energy equity and justice. Minority and low-income households are less likely to install solar systems, missing opportunities to benefit from sustainable, low-cost energy. Through community solar programs, low-income households and those who do not own their homes can benefit from low-cost, renewable energy.

Implementing a community solar project in the Coachella Valley will help residents save money on their monthly electricity bill and protect them from the effects of climate change. Community solar will enable residents to have access to AC during the hot summer months, protecting them from heat related illnesses. The state has successfully implemented a community solar project for the Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians and surrounding area. Community solar has the potential to save participating residents and communities thousands of dollars in monthly electricity bills and build energy infrastructure resiliency.

Energy equity and justice is rooted in principles of social justice. It assumes that affordable, reliable energy should be a fundamental human right and is a vital component of improving the wellbeing and quality of life for everyone. The energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables needs to be just and equitable every Californian. We must ensure that marginalized communities are not left out of energy policies. Because no family should be reluctant to turn on their AC during the hottest days of the year because they cannot afford it.