Rooftop Solar Installed in Low Income Neighborhood

Volunteers for Grid Alternatives are installing a 2.6 kilowatt solar energy system on the roof of Penelope Amadali's home in Oak Park.

She's one of three homeowners in the lower-income neighborhood that will receive the systems, which are estimated to save homeowners about $20,000 over the system's lifetime.

Amadali says she found out about the opportunity at a neighborhood association meeting and qualified for the installation.

"I feel very fortunate, very fortunate. I'm very grateful for it," says Amadali.

The projects are the first installations in the Sacramento region. Rebekah Casey with Grid Alternatives says currently California's low-income solar rebates are only available to customers of investor-owned utilities, which don't serve Sacramento.

"Solar for low-income families living in affordable housing is such a good investment we believe," says Casey. "It's going to provide her immediate and long-terms savings."

All three projects will have a total installed capacity of 5.4 kilowatts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 141 tons.