Scaling Up Solar for Under-Resourced Communities - Resources

Build America Buy America and Domestic Content: A Primer for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All Program

August 23, 2024

This document, part of CESA’s IRA Explainers and Guides Series for States, answers questions about the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act and the domestic content bonus tax credit program requirements for awardees of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All program. It will be useful to other stakeholders as well to understand how BABA will apply to Solar for All and the differences between BABA and the tax credit requirements.

Solar for All Briefing for Community-Based Organizations

June 27, 2024

This deck is a short series of recommendations to Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) that wish to better understand the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All competition and how to engage with the Solar for All opportunities. It briefly introduces the Solar for All competition, offers a realistic timeline for programs and funding deployment, and suggests concrete steps and resources for CBOs to support states in ensuring the success of the program.

Understanding LMI Solar Program-Level Economics and Savings Using SAM

May 3, 2024

CESA’s Vero Bourg-Meyer and Simon Sandler from NREL discuss how to use NREL’s System Advisor Model (SAM) to understand low-and middle-income solar program-level economics, incentives, and savings.

Solar For All List of Programmatic Functions

April 9, 2024

This document is a comprehensive list of the functions needed to design and deploy a low- and moderate-income solar program as part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All competition. This list can help states clarify which functions are needed and which are not for each program/sector, evaluate which functions to keep in-house vs. procure externally, and negotiate with EPA with a clearer understanding of next steps.

Empowering Tomorrow: A Preview of States’ Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All Programs

February 29, 2024

This report summarizes trends and calculates the potential impact of the EPA’s $7 billion Solar for All competition. The report provides the first public look into the range of state proposals that have been submitted in response to this competition. It can serve as a market readiness tool, to help states prepare for a massive and historic influx of LMI solar funding.

Davis-Bacon Primer for States Implementing the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All Program

January 11, 2024

This explainer introduces states deploying federal funding to rules regarding worker protection, local wages, and benefits under the Davis Bacon Act. The plain English question-and-answer document was specifically prepared for states that will implement Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All programs, but it will be useful to other state agencies deploying Inflation Reduction Act funding.

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

December 12, 2023

In this resource guide, CESA recommends four previously published resources that elaborate on what state energy agencies should consider when conducting stakeholder outreach and engaging with community-based organizations.

National Database of Community and Renewable Energy Organizations (Map)

October 20, 2023

CESA compiled this database of over 400 community-oriented organizations with a focus on or interest in clean energy at the local level, especially for low-income and disadvantaged communities. The database especially emphasizes groups that seek to advance solar energy and environmental justice.

Solar for Manufactured Homes: An Assessment of the Opportunities and Challenges in 14 States

September 26, 2023

Manufactured homes, formerly referred to as mobile homes, comprise over 6 percent of America’s housing stock and represent an even larger share of housing for low- and moderate-income households. CESA has published an update to the “Solar for Manufactured Homes” report discussing potential funding opportunities through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Low- and Moderate-Income Solar Lease Consumer Disclosure Form Template

September 12, 2023

This Low- and Moderate-Income (LMI) solar lease template consumer disclosure form offers an example that states and other stakeholders can use to ensure that LMI customers participating in state programs designed to broaden solar access receive the information they need to understand their solar contracts. This template is meant to be used as a starting point for states building solar lease (or PPA) programs.