Neighborhood SolarShares® for developers and builders
Neighborhood SolarShares allows developers and builders of new single family and multifamily homes to secure Sacramento based solar generation from SMUD to meet the solar mandate from the 2019 California Building Standards Code (effective January 1, 2020). The program offers the following benefits:
- Home builders achieve the solar mandate at no cost
- Utility bill holders will save $10 per kW of SolarShares per year ($10-40 on average)
- No homeowner solar maintenance or output degradation
- SMUD maintains and operates the solar system on behalf of the customer
- Supports the local economy since all solar generators are located in SMUD territory
Download the Neighborhood SolarShares Fact Sheet for more information.
How to apply
All home builders of residential property located in SMUD territory are eligible to apply for Neighborhood SolarShares. The application process has three main steps:
- Plan: Decide if Neighborhood SolarShares is right for your development. For larger, master-planned communities, SMUD can prepare a letter of intent confirming your eligibility for SolarShares if requested by local agencies.
- Apply: Concurrent with your building permit application, complete the Neighborhood SolarShares application and select Neighborhood SolarShares as your building code compliance option in the State of California’s energy modeling software.
- Confirm: SMUD will review complete applications and respond with evidence of the home's successful registration in the Neighborhood SolarShares program.
Refer to the Neighborhood SolarShares Program Manual for more details and instructions on how to apply.
Eligibility
Any newly constructed low-rise residential building required to comply with the 2019 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6 and 11) and located in SMUD’s service area is eligible for Neighborhood SolarShares. View our service area map or call 1-888-742-7683 to check if your building is in SMUD’s service area.
As part of the 2022 Building Code, builders have the option to discontinue participation in the Neighborhood SolarShares Program ("Opt-Out") at any time during the 20 year participation period if the building satisfies the Opt-Out requirement. Refer to the Neighborhood SolarShares Program Manual for more details regarding building Opt-Out.
For more information
Contact SolarShares@smud.org for information about the Neighborhood SolarShares program and to begin the application process. Contact development@smud.org for questions about developing projects within the SMUD service territory.