The award is funded by The Gas Company's Self-Generation Incentive Program, which encourages large energy users to generate their own electricity on-site.

The nonprofit Riverside Housing Development Corporation rehabilitated the apartments, and Riverside's city-owned utility provided the solar energy system using public benefit funds, which come from a state-mandated 2.85 percent surcharge that electricity customers pay. The solar energy system reduces electricity costs by about two-thirds for residents of 27 units in the complex.

"This award proves that low-income housing residents can benefit tremendously through the right combination of government incentives and energy-efficient technologies," said Jim King, public affairs manager for The Gas Company. "Although electricity costs are often a burden for low-income people, many RHDC residents are now pleasantly surprised at their significantly lower utility bills."

Riverside Public Utilities expects to install a similar photovoltaic system by summer at the nonprofit housing corporation's 51-unit Oak Tree Apartment complex for low-income residents. That project also could qualify for an award from The Gas Company, utility officials said.