Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding Will Support Solar Careers in Deprived Areas; New digital platform makes reliable solar energy more accessible
WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris Administration today launched new initiatives through the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to connect families with more reliable clean energy, lower utility bills and create high-paying jobs in the domestic solar industry. DOE, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the five states, and Washington, DC, has announced that it will support the Community Solar Subscription Platform pilot to connect families to solar energy and reduce electricity bills through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and other low-income assistance programs. DOE also announced $10 million of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to jump-start solar careers in underserved communities. Today’s announcements support President Biden’s goal of achieving a carbon-free electricity sector by 2035 while creating high-paying jobs across the country.
“Every American community, especially those dealing with disproportionately higher energy costs, deserves the economic and health benefits that come with greater access to affordable clean energy,” he said. United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “This is why DOE is working across the federal government to open up solar to the community that will quickly cut electricity bills for households that need it most and create high-paying jobs in every pocket of America.”
Connecting Communities to Solar Energy and Lowering Electricity Bills
HHS’s LIHEAP program keeps families safe by helping eligible households with their heating and cooling energy costs, bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, weatherproofing and energy-related home repairs. Switching to solar power could help households across the country save money on their electric bills, but many Americans have not been able to access these benefits. Community solar, which allows multiple customers to benefit from a shared solar energy system, offers a solution for individuals who cannot get solar panels on the roof. Is doing community sun target is to power 5 million homes and save 20% on a subscriber’s utility bill, an increase of 10% on average today.
The Community Solar Subscription Platform is designed to connect community solar projects with verified cost savings with households participating in government-run aid programs such as LIHEAP. The first pilot is supported by the states of Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Washington, DC. These states will provide feedback, coordination and data to test the operation, safety and performance of the platform. DOE has prioritized working with states that have existing programs to support solar development in low-income communities so that participants, if successful, will achieve significant savings on electricity bills, including:
- 20% in Illinois, New Jersey, New York and New Mexico
- 50% in Washington, DC and Colorado
DOE estimates that this could lead to savings on electricity bills of up to:
- $240 million in Colorado
- $300 million in Illinois
- $175 million in New Jersey
- $30 million in New Mexico
- $400 million in New York
- $40 million in Washington, DC
Colorado Governor Jared Polis said: “I am proud to join the White House, the Department of Energy, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Health and Human Services in support of the community solar subscription platform. This innovative and exciting project helps reduce electricity bills, save people money through expanded and streamlined access to affordable community solar subscriptions. This initiative will save Coloradans millions each year on electricity bills, reducing energy costs across the state. That’s money better spent on groceries, rent, or going out with the family for fun. We are so excited to support this effort to save people money and accelerate Colorado’s path to 100% renewable energy.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said, “Community Solar Programs are essential to the expansion of renewable energy in the state of Illinois and the entire country. Therefore, I am proud to continue our state’s leading work to grow the clean energy economy by adopting The National Community Solar Partnership’s LIHEAP Community Solar Subscription Platform. By supporting low-income communities that want to participate in this program, we can increase long-term energy efficiency and provide impactful access to cost-effective solar energy to the households in our state that need it most. In Illinois, we have an equity-focused approach that puts the consumer and the climate first and delivers outcomes that will create a safer world for our children.”
Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, said, “Through our participation in the Community Solar Subscription Platform project, New Jersey is helping families across the state reduce energy costs. As a consultant to the Department of Energy on the platform’s design and function, New Jersey will have the opportunity to ensure that the platform removes barriers to critical clean energy sources and benefits residents most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis, it is critical partnerships like this that will help us empower every member of the community to reap the benefits of a clean energy future.”
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said: “New Mexico is excited to participate in this pilot program, which builds on my administration’s efforts to make solar energy available to everyone. Our LIHEAP-eligible customers will see a 30% savings — that’s a game changer for families in New Mexico.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said: “New York is the leading community solar market in the US and has set an example for how states across the country can cost-effectively provide clean, affordable solar energy to millions of families facing the burden of rising We are proud to work with President Biden, his administration and many partners through this partnership to ensure our most underserved customers have access to this innovative new resource.”
Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser said: “As a nation, working together towards our climate goals, we have the ability to move together towards a brighter, greener and more sustainable future. We know that implementing solar energy for the community is critical to creating of a future that promotes healthy, renewable and sustainable living, and we are happy to join in. By partnering with property owners, especially affordable multi-family homes, and local businesses, we can ensure that our future is clean and resilient. We are proud of the work we are doing here in DC and look forward to participating in this nationwide effort.”
DOE’s National Community Solar Partnership, HHS, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, National Energy Assistance Directors Association, and the National Association of State Energy Officials are collaborating on the Community Solar Subscription Platform.
DOE also has a Request for information to get feedback on the platform structure from community organizations, solar subscription managers and developers, state and local governments, researchers, LIHEAP implementation organizations, and others. Comments must be submitted no later than August 31 at 5:00 PM ET.
Creating a strong solar workforce
While the solar industry is already more diverse than national averages, the Biden-Harris Administration has invested $10 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to ensure future solar workforces are equitable, inclusive and benefit people in underserved communities living in and around the projects. According to estimates in DOEs Research into the future of solar energy, the industry will need to create hundreds of thousands of good quality jobs to achieve the decarbonisation targets. These jobs should be accessible to workers of all backgrounds, offer competitive wages and benefits, and provide opportunities for union membership.
DOs Promoting equality through staff partnerships program will fund projects that support new workforce programs that bring together employers, training providers and unions to support pathways to the solar industry to recruit, train and retain an inclusive workforce. These programs are demand-driven, employee-oriented and sector-oriented, leveraging existing workforce programs and resources, being sustainable and reproducible, and prioritizing energy equity. By assessing the regional labor market and the current and future needs of employers, multi-stakeholder project teams can help ensure optimal alignment between different training programs and the real needs of the industry.
Launch of Community Solar Prize Competition
To encourage the development of equitable solar projects and programs for the community, DOE is also launching the Sunny Awards for Equitable Community Solar, a new awards program that will recognize best community solar practices that increase equitable access and ensure benefits go to subscribers and their communities. Up to five finalists can win a Sunny Award and prizes of $10,000 per team.
Learn more
Sign up for the informative webinar of DOE on the Community Solar Subscription Platform, August 2 at 2 p.m. ET.
Sign up for the informative webinar of DOE on the Advancing Equity through Workforce Partnerships funding opportunity on Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. ET.
Sign up for the informative webinar of DOE at the Sunny Awards on August 18 at 3 p.m. ET.
Read more about the Office for Solar Energy Technologies and the National Solar Community Partnership in DOEs Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Thanks to energy.gov
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