Media Contact: LCI.press@lci.ca.gov
LAKE COUNTY (9/2/2026) — An innovative concept for protecting Lake County residents from intensifying impacts of extreme heat was officially welcomed by community supporters at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday.
SolarCHILL (Cooling and Heating Homes with Innovative, Low-Impact Living) is a community-based climate resilience initiative that installs solar-powered, battery-backed heating and cooling systems — at no cost — to vulnerable households in Lake County.
Funded by more than $2.3 million from the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program under the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI), the project is led on the ground level by BUILD, a workforce development program of North Coast Opportunities, in partnership with the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians and Jonas Energy Solutions.
The exceptional work of our tribal and community partners on the SolarCHILL installations demonstrates how sound place-based investments and strong community partnerships can change people’s lives for the better, strengthen climate resilience, and protect vulnerable communities as the impacts of climate change and extreme heat continue to intensify.
Many homes in the rural county lack adequate cooling or have systems that are inefficient or too expensive to run during extreme heat events. The installations ensure that low-income, elderly, and medically at-risk residents can stay safe and comfortable, even during power outages.
Meanwhile, local community members get workforce training to install and maintain the state-of-the-art systems, preparing them for careers in the clean energy industry while strengthening the region’s capacity to respond to climate challenges.
The program prioritizes households with members who are particularly susceptible to heat-related illness, including seniors and tribal elders, medically vulnerable residents, and those relying on power for life-sustaining devices. The first 15 systems were installed at Rancheria homes, and another 30 systems are now planned for other eligible families in the county.
Middletown Rancheria tribal staff and tribal members have been among the community members participating in rigorous training programs with licensed contractors to retain technical expertise in maintaining the systems, while fostering long-term self-sufficiency.
By combining our community-driven priorities with this robust infrastructure, we are taking a decisive step toward a safer, more resilient future for our elders and our entire Rancheria.
In addition to the ongoing home installations, the partnership continues to host community events. These sessions have already begun raising awareness about extreme heat and provide residents with the essential resources to navigate a changing climate safely.
About the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Grant Program
The Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Grant Program funds and supports local, regional, and Tribal efforts to reduce the impacts of extreme heat. The Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program coordinates the state’s efforts to address extreme heat and the urban heat island effect.
About LCI
The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) oversees and administers programs, policies, and initiatives that chart California’s future through bold ideas, proven implementation, and scale. LCI’s leadership is provided by the Director, who is the principal advisor to the Governor on all matters relating to the programs and investments under LCI’s umbrella. LCI also provides ongoing operational support for the California Strategic Growth Council and the California Racial Equity Commission, with its Director acting as Chair of the Council.