Working with Community-Based Organizations to Advance Solar for LMI and Disadvantaged Communities: Selected Resources for State Energy Agencies

Partnerships between states and community-based organizations (CBOs) are a key component of advancing energy justice. State governments will be most successful in implementing solar for low- and moderate-income (LMI) and disadvantaged communities if they work collaboratively with CBOs that understand—and are trusted in—those communities. When launching or expanding solar programs for those communities, targeted outreach to CBOs is crucial and should be done in ways that give CBOs meaningful input.

In this resource guide, the Clean Energy States Alliance recommends four previously published resources that elaborate on what state energy agencies (SEAs) should consider when conducting stakeholder outreach and engaging with CBOs. The resources linked below are good starting points for exploring the SEA-CBO relationship. Each resource is briefly described to help states identify the resources most relevant to them.

These resources are relevant to all LMI solar programs, including programs launched under EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s Solar for All competition.