The intent of this solicitation is to develop, test and demonstrate zero-carbon or near-zero-carbon (collectively “ZC”), cost-effective, modular and manufactured homes (collectively “prefabricated homes”) that can be readily deployed, particularly in under-resourced communities including California Native American Tribes.
Donor Name: California Energy Commission
State: California
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/17/2023
Size of the Grant: $7,500,000
Details:
The prefabricated housing industry generally has minimal research and product innovation, except in meeting code requirements. By involving key prefabricated and manufactured home industry stakeholders in the development process, they share ownership of the results, and increase the opportunity to gain widespread and immediate market acceptance. Economically integrating energy efficiency solutions at the factory with advancements in manufacturing processes can reduce production costs and make the homes affordable. The results of projects funded by this solicitation can increase cost-effectiveness of energy efficient prefabricated homes in under-resourced communities, including in fire-prone areas.
Purpose of the Program
The purpose of this solicitation is to fund the demonstration of prefabricated homes that integrate advanced energy efficiency and renewable energy features that meet all the following objectives:
- are all electric, using no fossil fuel;
- include solar photovoltaic (PV) system with energy storage;
- have the capability to provide backup power to the home during power outages;
- be affordable from a first cost and operation perspective, such as, have a 10-year cost of ownership that is less than or equal to a home built to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standards for manufactured homes or the 2022 Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards for modular construction.
This solicitation is based on the EPIC interim Investment plan and allocates $15M for ZC prefabricated homes. The motivation for this initiative was to address home affordability and create and demonstrate resilient, ZC energy efficient prefabricated homes. This research initiative focuses on the following two types of prefabricated homes:
- Manufactured homes: These homes are built on steel chassis and transported to the site. The destination of these homes are mobile home parks and private lots. These homes are built quickly and more affordably in a factory setting compared to standard construction.
- Modular homes: These homes are created in sections and then transported to the home site for construction and installation. These are typically installed and treated like a standard house for financing, appraisal, and construction purposes
By reducing the amount of energy needed in buildings through energy-efficient design, replacing on-site combustion appliances with high-efficiency heat pumps, and reducing the carbon content of on-site energy resources (e.g., solar PV and storage), this research initiative has the potential to achieve other co-benefits, such as:
- Improve indoor air quality in the homes due to elimination of appliances burning fossil gas. Air quality is further improved by mechanical ventilation. Both of these measures could reduce health risks.
- Result in more comfortable and affordable homes that improve the quality of life for low income residents.
- Improve ambient air quality through reduction in the need for electricity produced by fossil power plants.
Projects must fall within the following project groups:
- Group 1: Develop, Test and Demonstrate Innovative Manufactured Homes; and
- Group 2: Develop, Test and Demonstrate Innovative Modular Homes.
Funding Information
- Group 1: Develop, Test and Demonstrate Innovative Manufactured Homes – $2,000,000 to $7,500,000
- Group 2: Develop, Test and Demonstrate Innovative Modular Homes. – $2,000,000 to $7,500,000
Eligible Applicants
This solicitation is open to all public and private entities with the exception of local publicly owned electric utilities. In accordance with CPUC Decision 12-05-037, funds administered by the CEC may not be used for any purposes associated with local publicly owned electric utility activities.
For more information, visit CEC.
