The solar installation at Blossom Trail Commons will provide free solar power to 48 lower-income families in Sanger. Sunrun photo

Sunrun has partnered with Fresno Housing to provide free power via a new solar installation for renters in Fresno County.

A ribbon cutting was held Wednesday — the first day of summer — to celebrate the solar installation at Blossom Trail Commons in Sanger. Sunrun, the country’s leading residential solar and battery storage provider, installed the 138-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system providing 48 lower-income families free power.

Blossom Trail Commons was built by Fresno Housing in 2018. The community is located near downtown Sanger.

“What this means to the residents in smaller and disadvantaged communities is that they will no longer be overlooked or left behind,” said Scott Sarem, vice president, multifamily affordable housing for Sunrun. “They will be part of the renewable energy future and receive a direct financial benefit in the form of a credit to their electric bill through virtual net metering. Additionally, we provide solar job training to residents as an avenue for those interested in gaining valuable skills in the renewable energy industry.”

 

This project is the beginning of Sunrun’s Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing program and the second time they have worked with a public housing authority.

Together with Sunrun, Fresno Housing is setting a precedent for other public housing authorities across the state to implement similar programs, according to news release. The program focuses on state-designated CalEnviroScreen disadvantaged communities, saving each family an average of $70 monthly on their electricity bills.

Since 2018, Sunrun has delivered 100 megawatts of solar to multifamily affordable housing and frontline communities. These achievements result from product development that began in 2017.

Earlier this year, Sunrun partnered with BRIDGE Housing in Southern California for the first project of the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing program. Nearly 350 families at Villa Loma Apartments in Carlsbad now save $60 a month on their electricity bills because of the energy equity provided by Sunrun.