Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

Project Sunlight provides equitable access to solar energy in multifamily affordable housing (MFAH) markets nationwide. Created in 2018, the project prioritizes the economic accessibility of renewable energy for underserved communities that are disproportionately affected by the negative environmental effects of fossil fuels. By creating utility-scale community solar for this last mile energy market in the United States, we can ensure that equitable energy access is achieved while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at impressive rates.

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Project Sunlight‚ target population is low-income housing markets, which reflect large racial and gender disparities in the United States. Residents, on average, pay four times the average cost for utility bills and health care costs, often while living in extremely inefficient and unhealthy buildings. 

Black, Native American, and Hispanic households are more likely than white households to be extremely low-income renters. As of March 2020, 20% of Black households, 17% of American Indian or Alaska Native households, 15% of Hispanic households, and 10% of Asian households are considered extremely low-income renters. (National Low Income Housing Coalition) To put the numbers into perspective, Black households account for 12% of all households, yet they account for 26% of all extremely low-income renters. (National Low Income Housing Coalition) 

As for gender disparities, 26.8% of female-led households were considered to be in poverty as of Fall 2019. (U.S. Census Bureau) Additionally, 42% of Section 8 housing households are female headed with children as of 2016. (National Center for Health in Public Housing) 

With these factors in mind, Project Sunlight‚ focus on providing affordable/low-cost energy solutions to MFAH tenants directly impacts those with low-incomes and female-led households. We ensure that tenants also receive a large portion of the benefits. For this reason, the solar financing method we have developed will have direct benefits for tenants via energy savings of at least 10% on power costs. Additionally, these benefits will be tied to a location rather than an individual, so costs for signing up tenants will be reduced as their participation will be part of their lease. 

ICAST also prides itself on the attention paid to diversity within our own leadership. Seventy percent of our Board of Directors are of diverse ethnic or gender backgrounds, with Asian-Indian, Black, and Hispanic/Latino origins represented, and our Advisory Board holds a 50% female membership. ICAST is currently finalizing its status as a Diverse Business Enterprise through California‚ Supplier Clearinghouse Statewide program.

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