A historic announcement to help more families go solar

By Ben Delman on April 22, 2024

The sun shines everywhere, but not everyone can benefit from solar energy, yet. Solar United Neighbors is thrilled by today’s announcement of $7 billion in federal funding for a program called “Solar for All.” This investment will significantly increase the number people that can benefit from solar energy. The Solar for All program is awarding up to 60 grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits. To accomplish this goal. Funding for Solar for All comes from the Inflation Reduction Act.

How Solar for All will work

Today’s announcement is the culmination of a process that started last June. Cities, counties, and multi-state collaboratives developed plans to grow solar in their communities. They designed them to ensure this growth will happen equitably. This way, everyone can feel the sunshine.

SUN was excited to bring our experience to bear on many of these efforts. We developed a best practice program design guide and facilitated a webinar for applicants. In total, we contributed to 23 Solar for All proposals.

Solar for All builds on SUN’s success

Solar for All is particularly meaningful for us. Over the past six years, we’ve developed more than two-dozen pilot projects to show just how beneficial this investment can be.

  • In Houston we worked with local groups to provide solar and battery storage systems to create “resiliency hubs” to protect families if the power goes out.
  • In Pittsburgh we used a crowdfunding campaign to help families go solar.
  • In D.C. we worked with local government to provide solar to more than 70 families. You’ll note the name of this effort, “Solar for All”.

Thanks to this new funding, we have the opportunity to bring solar’s benefits to hundreds of thousands of families across the country.

Stay informed about Solar for All in your community

Now the real work begins. We know that big goals don’t mean anything without people ready to make them happen. This is where you come in. Stay up to date on Solar for All by filling out the form below.