New community solar project helps low-income families

Thousands of Imperial Valley families will soon be receiving help with their energy bills thanks to an IID community solar project, the first of its kind in the area.

IID Interim Manager Planning and Engineering Department Carlos Vazquez said, “The E-Green program all our low-income residents, which is approximately 14,000 customers and option to have a renewable source benefiting them automatically without having rooftop solar.”

This thanks to a 60-mega-watt facility recently approved by the Board of Directors. It’s scheduled to be up and running by middle of next year.

“Without having to have an installation. Without having to maintain the system itself. We’re going to explain the program in further detail, so people can understand how they’re getting this benefit,” Vazquez said.

Homeowners and renters may qualify under the Renewable Energy Assistance Program (REAP).

“This is not for commercial or small businesses. This program is specifically for residential customers,” Vazquez said.

A local solar company is not happy about this program.

Jesse Gallardo, manager for The Grid Alternatives in El Centro, explained, “Since we use pretty much the same kind of customer, it will affect our business. Because, if they’re going to qualify directly with IID, we won’t be able to get installations, since they’re already going to get the customers for lower rates and electricity. We have different parameters of who’s low income or who qualifies, but it will hit a big chunk of our customer base.”

Vazquez countered that position by explaining that the local market of over 160,000 energy customers is big enough for everyone.

“There should be no impact. The reason I say that is because if there’s already a homeowner who’s not part of this low-income or this assistance program from the IID, they still have the opportunity to install solar panels if they decide to go green,” Vazquez said.