Pick my Solar
Thinking of going solar? Give yourself and the Institute a break by going solar through our partnership referral program with Pick My Solar.
Pick My Solar was founded in 2013 by CSUN and Institute alum, Max Aram and his colleague, Chris Blevins. Max and Chris are passionate supporters of solar energy who realized the solar sales process was too difficult for homeowners to navigate, and that all of the various finance options were confusing. They made it their mission to simplify the process, drive down costs, and provide the consumer advocacy necessary for solar to achieve broad market success.
Through Pick My Solar, customers can compare bids from top solar companies, choose the option that is best for them, and purchase a solar system, on average, for $4,800 below market! Pick My Solar provides this service to homeowners for FREE!
Pick My Solar was also recently named Outstanding Small Business by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Development Center.
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded Pick My Solar a grant to develop a universal tool for all solar homes to connect to the information grid. The app’s dynamic capabilities will benefit homeowners, solar installers, manufacturers, and utilities by analyzing homeowners’ energy use in real time. Pick My Solar Grant
GRID Alternatives
The Institute for Sustainability has partnered with GRID Alternatives, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers FREE solar panels to low income families. They bring together community partners, volunteers and job trainees to implement solar power and energy efficiency for low-income families, providing energy cost savings, valuable hands-on experience, and a source of clean, local energy that benefits us all.
In 2008, GRID Alternatives was selected by the California Public Utilities Commission to serve as the statewide program manager for its $162 million Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) incentive program, the country's first dedicated solar rebate for low-income families. Thousands of California homeowners have gone solar through GRID Alternatives under this groundbreaking initiative while providing hands-on experience in installing solar systems to volunteers.
To qualify for free or low cost solar units, you must:
- Own and live in your own home.
- Earn 80% or less of your county's median income. Click here for income requirements.
- Live in a qualifying service area. View map of service areas.
Complete the following form to see if you qualify: Pre-Qualification Form
Solar Workshops
The Institute for Sustainability offers energy efficiency and water conservation workshops, including LADWP rebates. The water conservation workshops residents and business owners will learn about options for alternative landscaping, including good region-specific choices for drought-tolerant and native plants, and low water demand trees and well as free water conservation items.
The energy efficiency workshops will focus on the primary energy consumers in the house, how to choose appliances, the utility rate structure, best cost benefit choices for investing in energy savings, and how to apply for rebates.
Please check our Events Page for scheduled workshops. If you’re interested in the Institute hosting a workshop for your community, please contact us at: sustainability@csun.edu or (818) 677-7710.