San Diego County residents scored a major victory last week when the California Public Utilities Commission approved San Diego Community Power and the County of San Diego’s application to create the state’s newest regional energy network, SDREN, which is poised to bring $124.3 million in energy efficiency programs to the region through 2027.

In 2023, Saint Mary’s completed a three-year upgrade project in collaboration with BayREN and Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH). Gideon Anders, the Treasurer of the Saint Mary’s Elderly Housing Corporation, initially reached out to SOMAH for assistance with solar upgrades. Through SOMAH, they received technical support, guidance on complex financial structures, and assistance with contractor bidding.

Meet Sami Hatter, the manager of Oak Hill Market. Nestled in the heart of San Francisco's Lower Haight neighborhood, Oak Hill Market has been proudly family-owned and operated for more than two decades.

California residents are increasingly finding opportunities to upgrade their homes for energy efficiency and electrification through regional, statewide, and federal rebate programs. However, high upfront costs continue to be one of the biggest barriers to home improvements. Small-scale pilot programs, such as the Pinole Energy Enhancement Rebate (PEER) program, offer an opportunity to address local needs with innovative solutions.