How Solar for All is Making Energy Equity a Reality in Ohio
Solar panels generate clean, renewable energy for your home and can save you tens of thousands of dollars on your electric bills over their 25-year lifespan. But there’s one major drawback to solar panels—they’re expensive. For years, the upfront cost of rooftop solar panels has made them inaccessible to low-income households. But that’s changing with Solar for All, a new residential solar program that just launched in Ohio.
What Is Solar for All?
Solar for All is a federal program that’s providing $7 billion in grant funding to help create better solar programs in low-income and underserved communities throughout the country. The goal is to ensure all communities, not just well-off ones, can enjoy the cost-saving and environmental benefits of solar energy. The program will:
Lower electric bills for homeowners who need the relief the most
Create good-quality jobs in underserved communities
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Minimize air pollution
Where the Funding Comes From
The Solar for All grants are funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. States, territories, tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits across the country applied for funding, and 60 selectees were chosen, including the State of Ohio Office of Budget and Management State Accounting.
The Lowdown on Solar for All in Ohio
Ohio has been awarded $156 million for low-income solar programs! The state’s goal is to bring solar power to as many underserved households as possible while maximizing energy bill savings for Ohio residents and families.
How to Ohio Solar for All Program Works
The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will act as program administrators. They’ll distribute the funding to low-income solar programs for both multi-family buildings and single-family homes, ensuring homeowners and renters alike can take advantage of the cost-saving benefits of solar power.
Right now, the funding is being deployed to existing programs that support solar installations on multi-family buildings in low-income communities. New programs for solar installation on single-family homes are expected to launch in 2025. When we know more about how single-family homes can benefit, we will share the details!
Why Low-Income Solar Programs Matter
Solar power is the cheapest and cleanest way to power our homes and buildings. But the upfront costs make it virtually impossible for low-income households to benefit from solar panels. Low-income solar programs help remedy this, ensuring that all communities, not just well-off ones, can save money on ever-increasing electricity costs and transition away from fossil fuels.
Sustainergy Cooperative is a long-time advocate of energy equity in Ohio. We are a worker-owned, mission-driven solar company that believes solar has the power to change lives, and we want to bring its benefits to as many people as possible. The new Ohio programs for low-income solar are a big step in the right direction and we encourage you to take advantage of them.
