The Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) Program provides higher incentives to offset the project costs of installing solar on multifamily affordable housing buildings in California. The goal of the MASH is to incorporate high levels of energy efficiency and high performing solar systems to help enhance the overall quality of affordable housing.

MASH Track 1:
Provides fixed rebates based on the size and expected performance of the system installed. Incentives range from $1.90 - $2.80 per watt depending on whether common area load or tenant load is offset.

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MASH Track 2:
Status: Closed

On July 20, 2011 the CPUC issued Decision 11-07-031, which affected the MASH program in a number of ways. One of the changes shifted all remaining Track 2 funds to Track 1.

What's New

Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) Program Update
On July 20, 2011 the California Public Utilities Commission issued Decision 11-07-031 which has multiple effects on the MASH program. Among these changes are the following:

• All remaining Track 2 funds are shifted to Track 1
• New Reservation Requests placed under review on and after July 14, 2011 will receive incentive levels of $1.90/watt for Common Area Load (Track 1A) and $2.80/watt for Tenant Load (Track 1B)
• The MASH program will adopt the General Market Application Fee Guidelines for systems ≥10 kW
• The two-year occupancy requirement for MASH is removed, but projects may not receive incentives from both NSHP and MASH
• Remove 20/80 percent split of Track 1A and 1B requirement of Track 1 budget

Learn more about the program changes.

MASH provides solar incentives on qualifying existing multifamily affordable housing. The goals of the program are to:

• Stimulate the adoption of solar power in the affordable housing sector;
• Improve energy utilization and overall quality of affordable housing through the application of solar and energy efficiency technologies;
• Decrease electricity use and costs without
  increasing monthly household expenses for
  affordable housing building occupants; and
• Increase awareness and appreciation of the benefits of solar among affordable housing
  occupants and developers.

For background information on MASH read the final CPUC Decision Current CCSE Application Statistics (updated 1/5/2012) Application Statistics
MASH Semi-Annual Report (July 2011) MASH Semi-Annual Report

Mash Waitlist

Eligible Properties

To qualify for MASH incentives a property must meet the following criteria:

• Be located in PG&E, SCE or SDG&E service territory
• Meet at least one of the definitions of "low-income residential housing" per Public Utilities Code 2852.

(A) A multifamily residential complex financed with low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds, general obligation bonds, or local, state, or federal loans or grants, and for which either of the following applies:

(i) The rents of the occupants who are lower income households do not exceed those prescribed by deed restrictions or regulatory agreements pursuant to the terms of the financing or financial assistance.
(ii) The affordable units have been or will be initially sold at an affordable housing cost to a lower income household and those units are subject to a resale restriction or equity sharing agreement pursuant to the terms of the financing or financial assistance.

(B) A multifamily residential complex in which at least 20 percent of the total housing units are sold or rented to lower income households and either of the following applies:

(i) The rental housing units targeted for lower income households are subject to a deed restriction or affordability covenant with a public entity or nonprofit housing provider organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that has as its stated purpose in its articles of incorporation on file with the office of the Secretary of State to provide affordable
housing to lower income households that ensures that the units will be available at an affordable rent for a period of at least 30 years.
(ii) The housing units have been or will be initially sold at an affordable cost to a lower income household and those units are subject to a resale restriction or equity sharing agreement, for which the homeowner does not receive a greater share of equity than described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 65915 of the Government Code, with a public entity or nonprofit housing provider organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that has as its stated purpose in its articles of incorporation on file with the office of the Secretary of State to provide affordable housing to lower income households.

(C) An individual residence sold at an affordable housing cost to a lower income household that is subject to a resale restriction or equity sharing agreement, for which the homeowner does not receive a greater share of equity than described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 65915 of the Government Code, with a public entity or nonprofit housing provider organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that has as its stated purpose in its articles of incorporation on file with the office of the Secretary of State to provide affordable housing to lower income households.