Solar power to the people: California program brings clean energy to Oakland

The St Mary’s Gardens apartments in Oakland, California, had solar panels installed through the state’s Somah program. Photograph: John Brecher

Joseph Wang and his wife have figured out a way to stay warm and efficient during northern California’s winter nights: layering.

“We bundle up during the day, and at night. We use two blankets,” said Wang, 87, in Mandarin, explaining how he and his wife, Meng Rou Lan, 84, dealt with trying to save money on their electricity bill last winter. When he and his wife were hit with a $130 electricity bill, they decided to use their heater sparingly. But soon, due to a publicly funded statewide solar program in California, their bill may go down as much as $40 a month.