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LA renters have been shut out of solar. That's about to change.

SANTA MONICA, CA - FEBRUARY 27:  Employees of Solar Forward install solar electric panels on a residential rooftop on February 27, 2009 in Santa Monica, California. President Obama signed into law an economic-recovery package containing more than $20 billion investing in a greener economy, including $500 million for green job training.  According to the Council of Economic Advisers, 'green' jobs pay 10 to 20 percent more than other jobs and are more likely to be union jobs. Consumers also benefit from lower electric and heating bills through solar electric, solar water heating, and building weatherization upgrades.   (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Employees of Solar Forward install solar electric panels on a residential rooftop on February 27, 2009 in Santa Monica, California. Until now, solar panels have largely been confined to homeowners. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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Until now, it's been almost impossible for renters in Los Angeles to access solar energy. Rooftops are controlled by landlords, who may or may not be interested in renewable power.

But that's about to change.

A new Los Angeles Department of Water and Power program called Shared Solar would let renters buy electricity from solar panels installed on government buildings around the city — no rooftop or landlord permission required.

This story is part of Elemental: Covering Sustainability, a new multimedia collaboration between Cronkite News, Arizona PBS, KJZZ, KPCC, Rocky Mountain PBS and PBS SoCal.

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