The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernadino and HelioPower recently completed the largest Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing Track 2 grant project in California, which will provide low-income families with free solar energy.

The project will help families in the Maplewood, California, area save about 30 percent on their energy costs per year, while also demonstrating the Housing Authority's dedication to green energy development.

"This is part of a larger, more comprehensive strategy the Housing Authority is developing for energy management. It's our intention to reduce energy and water use across our housing portfolio, which today includes over 3,000 units of affordable, market rate and senior housing," said Susan Benner, president and CEO of HACSB.

The MASH funding allowed for the installation of solar power systems by HelioPower on 98 residential homes and two community buildings in the development.

A recent interview with David Crane, CEO of NRG Energy, elicited that he also believes in the cost-efficiency of solar energy. In the interview with Yale Environment 360, he said that within the next five years, solar panel roofs will provide power more cheaply than taking it from the grid.