Gracie WarhurstThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted $7 billion in Solar for All grants to 60 entities to bring solar energy to low-income households. The money comes from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a $27 billion program dedicated to combatting climate change.
Selectees will help mobilize solar energy for more than 900,000 houses by creating or further developing low-income solar programs. Of the 60 selected applicants, 49 are state level awards, six are awards to tribal communities, and five are multi-state awards.
The program has three objectives: reduce climate and air pollution, aid low-income and underserved communities and create more funding for solar energy. Programs like Grid Alternatives’ Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) follow these principles by equitably providing solar access to renters.
Leveraging reusable energy such as solar power not only reduces greenhouse gases, but conserves energy costs. The EPA estimates that this award will save households $350 million annually.
The Solar for All awardees include:
- $249.3 million for a multistate nonprofit, Inclusive Prosperity Capital, Inc., to expand and implement the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Community Solar Partnership and Community Power Accelerator program.
- $249.8 million to New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to strengthen the state’s existing solar, technical support and worker development programs.
- $249.7 million to Texas’ Harris County to help communities be better prepared for power outages by funding solar installation, battery storage and energy-efficient home upgrades.
