The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a $7 billion grant competition as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The objective is to enhance accessibility to affordable, resilient, and clean solar energy for millions of low-income households.
The Solar for All competition, created by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) of the Inflation Reduction Act, will expand opportunities for residential solar investment in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Up to 60 grants will be awarded to states, territories, local governments, and eligible nonprofits to establish and expand low-income solar programs. These programs will provide financing, technical assistance, and workforce development to enable these communities to adopt residential solar energy.
The grant competition aims to address the long-standing issue of underprivileged communities being excluded from clean energy investments and climate solutions.
The grant competition will support the expansion of existing low-income solar programs and the development of new Solar for All programs across the country. These initiatives will ensure equitable access to residential rooftop and community solar power for low-income households.
The Solar for All program will also play a crucial role in supporting clean energy workforce development programs. These programs will provide training opportunities for workers from low-income and disadvantaged communities to participate in the deployment of residential solar energy, fostering long-term careers in the clean energy industry.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, alongside Senator Bernie Sanders, announced the program on June 28. They emphasized its potential to advance residential solar projects nationwide, promote environmental justice, save money for families, and create well-paying jobs.
In addition to Senator Sanders, other key political figures who support the Solar for All program include Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Tom Carper, and Congressman Paul Tonko.
