National environmental justice groups applaud Solar For All grant recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2024
PRESS CONTACT:
Caroline Rajchel
caroline.rajchel@antennagroup.com

WASHINGTON — The Solar Access For All Coalition celebrates today’s announcement of the Solar For All grant award winners. This milestone marks a monumental leap towards a greener, more equitable future for our communities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that 60 selectees will receive $7 billion in grant awards through the Solar for All grant competition to deliver residential and community solar projects to more than 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities nationwide. The EPA estimates this investment will generate more than $350 million in annual savings on utility bills for overburdened households while avoiding 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from more than 4 gigawatts of clean energy capacity. In total, solar projects funded by this program will generate over $8 billion in household savings over the 25-year lifetime of the assets and generate nearly 200,000 jobs.

The Solar For All program brings enormous potential to states, Tribal governments, coalitions and municipalities to expand access to distributed solar energy. This historic program will enable grant recipients to create or expand solar energy programs for low-income communities and benefit the households and the communities that they serve. Rooftop solar and local solar facilities shared by multiple community subscribers, like community solar, offer a more distributed, customer-centric electric grid, bring financial and economic benefits to the communities they serve, and offer alternative options and more significant benefits than utility-scale solar programs.

As awardees now turn to implementing their programs, maximizing benefits for low-income households and communities should be their main priority. Solar facilities developed locally — either on rooftops or community solar facilities — are the best models to deliver the meaningful benefits required by the program guidelines, and recipients should look to develop and scale these programs in states.

We congratulate the recipients and commend their dedication to expanding access to solar energy in underserved and marginalized neighborhoods. By leveraging solar technology to alleviate energy burdens and foster economic opportunity, the Solar For All program is poised to catalyze an equitable transition to clean energy in our underserved and low-income communities.
Quotes:

“Today’s announcement from the EPA Solar for All grant competition can unlock multiples of private capital to complement the $7 billion in federal awards that will serve millions of low-income Americans,” said Jeff Cramer, CEO of the Coalition for Community Solar Access. “Community solar is a critical tool in the broader toolbox of distributed solar options for American households, and can offer the vast majority of low-income households unable to put solar on their roofs the opportunity to save money on their electric bills while reducing GHG emissions.”

“The Solar For All program is a game-changer for so many under-resourced and environmental justice communities seeking a more sustainable, reliable, democratized energy system,” said Chelsea Barnes, Director of Government Affairs and Strategy at Appalachian Voices. “We’re thrilled to be one step closer to bringing more solar to hundreds of thousands of people throughout the country, and we applaud the EPA for its tireless work to make this program a success.”

“EPA’s Solar for All announcement is a monumental achievement in advancing a more equitable and just energy future, but it’s still just the beginning,” said Andie Wyatt, Managing Policy Director and Counsel for GRID Alternatives, a lead applicant on a multi-state and a Tribal program selected to receive awards. “As awardees roll out their programs throughout the country, the real value of the Solar for All investment will be realized through transformative benefits for households and communities.”

“We’re ready to get to work,” said Anya Schoolman, Solar United Neighbors’ Executive Director. “This investment will help more families save money and take control of where their energy comes from.”

“Congratulations to the Solar For All Awardees! This marks a significant stride in our nation’s journey towards achieving an equitable clean energy transition,” said Sean Garren, Chief Programs Officer for Vote Solar. “With this influx of funding directed at expanding the number of communities and households benefiting from affordable, clean energy, we are finally prioritizing overall health and community resilience – both economic and environmental.”

“The Solar for All program will ensure those communities who have been overburdened by both pollution and high energy costs for decades will not be left behind in the rapid transition to a renewable energy future. We look forward to working with the administration to ensure this critical program is implemented effectively in those communities that could most benefit from its goals” said Chris Espinosa, Legislative Director for Climate & Energy at Earthjustice.

“EPA’s Solar for All Program is a significant positive step forward for ensuring that the communities that are most energy burdened can access affordable renewable energy options that will support and strengthen their own economic vitality,” said Andrea Marpillero-Colomina, Sustainable Communities Program Director at GreenLatinos.

“Harnessing the power of local solar energy is crucial as we transition away from fossil fuels,” said Xavier Boatright, Sierra Club’s Deputy Legislative Director. “There is no time to waste, and we are grateful for the broad coalition that has spearheaded efforts to advance this necessary funding. These grants will help communities advance the future-focused solutions our earth desperately needs.”