Trump plans to discontinue 'Solar for All', a program that was about to commence providing solar energy solutions

The Solar for All program, a significant initiative aimed at bringing affordable solar power to low-income and disadvantaged households across the United States, is facing potential funding termination by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This development comes following a freeze in funding in January, which was part of a broader attack on Biden-era climate and environmental programs.

The Solar for All program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act's $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), promises to deliver more than $350 million in annual electric bill savings to over 900,000 households over the next five years. The more than 4 gigawatts of solar power the program aims to bring online, much of it backed up by batteries, could help utilities meet growing demand and improve local resilience for millions of households.

One of the key entities driving the Solar for All program is the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), which has circulated an email warning of the potential end of the program. Groundswell, another key player, is using its $156 million Solar for All grant to launch the Southeast Rural Power Program, open to municipal utilities and rural cooperatives across eight Southeastern states.

In Michigan, the Office of Climate and Energy announced eight projects last month, ranging from an agrivoltaics installation near a municipal airport to solar panels on a multifamily building serving low-income seniors. Similarly, the Nevada Clean Energy Fund announced its first project - nearly $1 million to help a sober living facility in Reno install rooftop solar.

The Southeast Rural Power Program aims to develop over 100 megawatts of distributed solar and battery projects, which could cut electricity bills in half and improve local resilience for over 17,000 households. Meanwhile, Vermont's Department of Public Service announced $22 million in grants for low-income-housing solar projects in May.

Chris Walker, head of national policy and programs for Grid Alternatives, expressed confidence that they were on a solid legal footing to continue the work of Solar for All. Alicia Brown, director of the Georgia Bright Coalition, is also bringing affordable solar power to Georgia through the Solar for All program. The Georgia Bright Coalition is installing no-cost rooftop solar for low-income homeowners and expanding a two-year-old pilot program offering low-cost solar and battery installations.

However, the EPA's decision to freeze funding for Solar for All and other congressionally mandated programs due to court orders declaring the freezes unlawful in February was overturned. Yet, the EPA is still blocking $20 billion in funding for the broader GGRF program and is appealing federal court orders to release the money.

News reports this week suggest that the EPA is preparing to send letters to all 60 awardees informing them of funding termination. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is the government agency currently threatening to cut funding for the Solar for All program and is urging the EPA to halt grants to the 60 program awardees.

Kirsten Stasio, CEO of the Nevada Clean Energy Fund, emphasized the importance of reducing energy costs, particularly in the current economic environment. The EPA is facing a class-action lawsuit demanding it release billions of dollars in environmental justice block grants it terminated.

As the future of the Solar for All program remains uncertain, its potential impact on millions of households cannot be understated. The program's goal of providing affordable solar power to low-income and disadvantaged households, while also helping utilities meet growing demand, is a significant step towards a more sustainable and equitable energy future.