Last Earth Day 2024, Washington D.C. had its biggest break yet. The district was awarded $62 Million from the EPA to help fund approximately 19,000 Low and Moderate Income (LMI) district households with an alternative source of cleaner solar energy.
With $62.45 million to use over the next five years in expanding Solar for All in DC, this program will help more homes in the city use solar power, whether on rooftops or in neighborhoods. DOEE is working with partners like the DC Green Bank, DC Sustainable Energy Utility, and others to make this happen.
They’re also teaming up with the DC Council to make sure the program helps people during heat waves and other climate emergencies, like funding resilience hubs. These hubs, starting with one in Ward 7, will assist low-income residents who don’t pay electric bills. More hubs will be possible with help from the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides funds, tax breaks, and loans.
Solar for All works by giving incentives to solar developers and using local and federal help. It helps low-income homeowners with solar panels and creates community solar projects for people living in apartments.
“Since we established this program eight years ago, Solar for All has allowed nearly 10,000 households to save on their electric bills, supported the District’s energy goals, and pushed the District forward as an energy and climate leader. And with this additional funding, we are able to expand this program to an additional 19,000 households, doubling down on a program that we know works for the District and our future.” (Mayor Bower, 2024)
