For over 30 years, Citizens Energy Corporation has devoted itself to the mission of making energy more affordable for families struggling with the high cost of heating and electricity. We have found innovative ways to accomplish our goal, including pioneering ventures in the transmission, renewable energy, natural gas, oil, and electricity industries.

As a result of our latest venture – co-developing the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line with San Diego Gas and Electric, to connect renewable power in the Imperial Valley of California to the growing energy markets of the Golden State – Citizens Energy is proud to channel revenues from the project to provide clean, renewable solar electricity for Imperial Valley households in need.

In areas like the Imperial Valley, the cost of air-conditioning places a heavy burden on low-income families, especially senior citizens who suffer disastrous health effects from temperatures that can climb as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Faced with high electricity bills, families are forced to make tough choices between paying for energy, food, medicine, and other life essentials.

The Citizens Energy Solar Homes Program works to provide struggling households with relief and prevent them from making difficult trade-offs.

In January 2013, Citizens Energy began installing rooftop solar collectors atop the homes of selected low-income households in the Imperial Valley.

The solar systems are purchased, installed and maintained at no cost to the homeowner, with all the savings coming right off the family’s electricity bill. 

The solar system reduces a homeowner's electricity costs by an average of 40 percent to 50 percent. However, the actual savings depend on a number of factors, including the household’s electric usage and the size of solar system. The homeowner signs a 20-year lease, which Citizens Energy pre-pays in full. To be eligible for the solar benefit, households must have received a free energy audit and weatherization services (from either Imperial Irrigation District or SoCal Gas) to ensure the most efficient use of the electricity produced by the solar system.

Citizens Energy will use local labor as much as possible to install about 100 systems a year.

Each year, the program will generate about 1 million kilowatts hours and save a total of 2.3 million pounds of carbon emissions - in addition to providing millions of dollars of savings for needy households over the life of the solar panels.

Citizens Energy Corporation Chairman with Jo Ann Rodrigues Finley and her family. Finley's El Centro home was the first to receive solar panels under the Solar Homes Program in Imperial Valley, CA.