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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden-Harris Administration celebrated Earth Day on Monday. They announced $7 billion in solar grants that could make the upfront cost of installing residential rooftop solar panels low-cost or free for low-income neighborhoods. The money will be distributed to 60 different nonprofit, state, city, and Tribal agencies.
Expanding Solar Access Nationwide: Empowering Communities with Affordable Renewable Energy
Through the Solar for All program, these organizations could install solar panels in 900,000 households across the country. According to the U.S. Office of Renewable and Efficient Energy, making renewable energy affordable, reliable, and sustainable is necessary for the country’s transition to clean energy, but this transition is expensive. Solar technology has been out of reach for many families in the U.S. because rooftop installations can cost thousands of dollars, even with federal tax credits in place.
The funds are part of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and is seed money, going to organizations that are already making solar energy accessible in their communities but have had difficulties getting money to make it even more affordable. “It’s not like they’re starting from scratch. They’re on the ground. They know which community members want and will benefit from solar,” said Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
Mallory added that these organizations fit President Biden’s agenda to make sure all communities have the benefit of clean air, water, and a healthy environment. Households who could be eligible for free or low-cost solar panels will have to prove their income. Eligibility will be different depending on each program.
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Navigating Distribution Challenges: Ensuring Equitable Access to Renewable Energy Funding
One of the biggest challenges the Biden-Harris Administration faces is making renewable energy accessible. Another challenge is making sure that the money is reaching the communities that really need it most. “And that can be related to the fact a town or organization doesn’t actually have any staff that can write the federal grants,” Mallory says.
President Biden says families with solar power could save $400 a year on utilities. However, no grantees were selected in Oklahoma. According to Jacob Littlebear, who works as a project coordinator for a solar panel company in Tulsa, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Muscogee Nation, and other Tribal governments in the state applied but were denied Solar for All grants.