The 60 selections under the $7 billion Solar for All program will provide funds to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits across the country to develop long-lasting solar programs that enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distrib Contact online >>
The 60 selections under the $7 billion Solar for All program will provide funds to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits across the country to develop long-lasting solar programs that enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed residential solar, lowering energy costs
What is the federal solar tax credit? The federal residential solar energy credit is a tax credit that can be claimed on federal income taxes for a percentage of the cost of a solar PV system paid for by the taxpayer. (Other types of renewable energy are also eligible for similar credits but are beyond the scope of this guidance.)
Under the $7 billion Solar for All program, the 60 grant recipients will create new or expand existing low-income solar programs, which will enable over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities to benefit from distributed solar energy.
Residential solar cuts home energy bills and provides families with resilient and secure power, and Solar for All will help low-income and disadvantaged communities experience these meaningful benefits, such as guaranteeing a minimum 20% total electricity bill savings for households benefiting from the program.
Solar co-ops and Solarize campaigns can also help you start the process of going solar. These programs work by allowing groups of homeowners to work together to collectively negotiate rates, select an installer, and create additional community interest in solar through a limited-time offer to join the campaign.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has launched Solar for All, a program to put more solar panels on the homes of low-income families.Up to $7 billion in competitive grants are available to states, cities, tribal governments and certain eligible nonprofits, enabling millions of households to access affordable, resilient and clean solar energy.
With deadlines to apply quickly approaching, we at the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) want to help potential applicants by providing a few examples of the types of programs that could meet Solar for All''s goal to assure equitable access to solar power.
Solar for All funds must be used to help low-income and disadvantaged communities deploy and benefit from residential distributed solar. Eligible technology categories for financial and technical assistance include:
All applicants must submit a Notice of Intent to be eligible to apply to the Solar for All competition. States must file by July 31, municipalities by August 14 and all other eligible recipients by August 28. They then must submit a final application by October 12, 2023.
A number of programs across the country are already working toward environmental and equity goals to help low-income families gain access to solar power. Here are a few examples that can provide best practices or serve as a template for applicants seeking federal funding.
CSE is a key partner in administering the largest solar program for multifamily affordable housing in the U.S., California''s Solar On Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) Program.
The program focuses on long-term, direct economic benefits for low-income households by reducing tenants'' energy bills. It also seeks to catalyze the market for solar on general market multifamily housing and create local jobs. SOMAH includes comprehensive technical assistance for property owners, tenant education, and job training requirements for contractors.
Lessons learned along the way include creating an eligible properties map to help smaller contractors and minority- and women-owned businesses move into the multifamily sector and instituting a progress payment option to help carry projects through to completion.
The California Public Utilities Commission is funding the 10-year program, which has a goal of deploying 300 megawatts of solar energy capacity by 2030 to benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities.
As part of its franchise agreement with the City of San Diego, San Diego Gas & Electric is allocating $1 million per year over 10 years to provide rooftop solar at little to no cost to income-qualified homeowners who live in communities that face the highest risk from climate change.
The program, which CSE designed and administers, also addresses the frequent need for electric panel upgrades by offering an incentive of up to $3,500 per residence if needed to accommodate solar. In addition, the program provides $1,000 to homeowners who allow their solar installer to conduct on-the-job training.
Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the program implements incentives and financing and provides educational tools and resources, such as training and assistance, to make renewable solar energy more widely available while lowering energy costs.
Households earning less than 80% of the area median income are eligible for an increased incentive. In addition, NYSERDA offers lower interest rate loans for low-income New Yorkers and those who cannot qualify for traditional financing.
Nationally, low-income families spend as much as three times more than the average household on energy. Rooftop solar panels could substantially reduce these families'' energy bills, freeing household funds for other expenses. In fact, Solar for All requires a minimum of 20% total electricity bill savings for households benefiting from the program.
Solar for All will also support clean-energy jobs and increase resilient power while reducing air pollution. We encourage states, cities and tribal governments to learn more about Solar for All and apply for this funding opportunity.
Kaily Wakefield has expertise in nonprofit management, coastal preservation, public rights and energy justice. At CSE, she provides policy support and analysis for CSE''s distributed generation and energy storage initiatives.
Read more by Kaily Wakefield
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About Government programs for residential solar
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