District government seeks “Solar for All” partners

Last year, the D.C. Council passed a bill to help the District’s low-income families use solar energy to lower their energy costs. Specifically, the law calls for using solar energy to reduce by at least half, the electric bills for 100,000 low-income households by 2033.

The government agency responsible for seeing this goal met is the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). To that end, it has released an open funding offering to organizations to help with the effort. It will be holding a public information session to on February 28 at 2 p.m. at its office (1200 First Street, NE, 5th Floor) about the funding offer. Participants can also call in at (877) 784-3995 with participant code: 3127831.

The funding opportunities are divided into two portions. The first portion, worth a total of $5 million, is designed to help low-income, single-family homes; small businesses; and owner-occupied nonprofits go solar. The second portion, worth a total of $8 million, is designed for multifamily, commercial, and institutional buildings and non-residential surface spaces. Nonprofit organizations; faith-based organizations; universities/educational institutions; and private enterprises are eligible to apply for both or either portion.

The deadline for application submissions is March 31, at 4:30 p.m. Grant award announcements are expected by mid-May.