Learn More About the EPA’s Solar for All Grant Program at NAHRO’s Summer Symposium

On June 28, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) welcomed applications to the $7 billion grant competition Solar for All, which was created by the Inflation Reduction Act’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to expand existing and implement new residential solar investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will award up to 60 grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and eligible nonprofits.

NAHRO’s Summer Symposium includes a session titled Green Energy Funding in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act which will include a panelist from the EPA to discuss the NOFO. Register here.

The application deadline for submission is September 26, 2023. In addition, applicants are required to submit a Notice of Intent by the following dates:

• July 31, 2023, for all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
• August 14, 2023, for U.S. territories, municipalities and eligible nonprofits
• August 28, 2023, for Tribal governments and Intertribal Consortia

PHAs can apply for grant funding individually or as subrecipients in applications. PHAs can also apply through coalition applications with other organizations. The minimum amount to apply for the program is $25 million and recipients must serve a minimum of 10,000 low-income households.  

While PHAs can still participate in awarded programs in which they are not formal partners or subbidders, they must contact the state or regional sponsor applying for the award before September 26.

Seventy-five percent of the grant award must be in the form of “financial assistance” which means grants, loans, subsidies and other direct financial support to offtakers (tenant recipients). There is also a requirement that each offtaker or participant demonstrate a 20% or better reduction in their electricity bill. The other 25% can pay for technical assistance, outreach, marketing support, contractor training, tenant education, interconnection support, and program management.

The application can be found on grants.gov.