Scaling Up Solar for Under-Resourced Communities - Resources

Multifamily Affordable Housing Solar and Solar+Storage: Solar for All Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Program Design Options for States

August 30, 2023

This guide offers simple options for states to add Multifamily Affordable Housing (MFAH) solar and/or solar+storage to their application to the $7 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) Solar for All competition (Solar for All) and take advantage of the new tax credit features of the Inflation reduction Act.

Community Solar for Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities: Solar for All Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Program Design Options for States

August 1, 2023

This document offers insights into how states can design and launch community solar programs that benefit disadvantaged communities and low- and moderate-income households using the $7 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All competition and take advantage of new tax credits features available under the Inflation Reduction Act.

LMI Community Solar Resource Database

July 14, 2023

This database was developed as a resource hub for state agencies that are working to develop and implement community solar programs for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households.

Single-Family Home LMI Solar Program Request for Proposals Template: A Solar for All-Compliant Solar Program Design for States

July 7, 2023

To facilitate the design and launch of LMI single-family homes program by states and to leverage existing funding opportunities from the IRA, CESA produced a template RFP to select on or more solar developers to deliver a solar program to disadvantaged communities and low-income households.

Single-Family Home LMI Solar Program – Program Design Guidance: A Solar for All Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund-Compliant Solar Program Design for States

July 7, 2023

To facilitate the design and launch of LMI solar programs by states and to leverage existing funding opportunities from the IRA, CESA produced this guidance note along with a standard RFP that can be used by states and other relevant stakeholders to design and launch Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund-compliant LMI programs in their state.

Low-Income Communities Bonus Energy Investment Credit Program: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

June 15, 2023

On June 1, 2023, the IRS issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) regarding the low-income communities bonus energy investment credit program (the LMI Adder) under the Inflation Reduction Act. This document first provides a high-level summary of what the NOPR covers, followed by a more in-depth review of the NOPR in the form of an FAQ.

Comments on the Solar for All Competition of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

May 9, 2023

CESA submitted comments to the EPA regarding the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Implementation Framework, authorized under the IRA. The comments chiefly pertain to the Solar for All Competition but also relate to some of the requirements set under the GGRF Framework applicable to all three competitions.

Investing in Relationships: Strategies State Agencies Can Use to Equitably Partner with Community Representatives

May 5, 2023

This case study analyzes six programs conducted by the Energy Trust of Oregon that have shown success in building meaningful and impactful relationships with community representatives. These programs can serve as a model for other state agencies seeking to develop relationships with community partners in order to better meet their shared goals.

Energize Your Impact: How Foundations Can Accelerate Solar for LMI-Serving Community Institutions

April 4, 2023

This report explores how philanthropic foundations have supported the deployment of solar and solar plus battery storage in low- and moderate-income communities in the United States.

California’s Solar for Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) Program: Collaboration between Community Organizations and State Energy Agencies

November 15, 2022

California’s Solar for Multifamily Affordable Housing program is an excellent example of how state energy agencies and community-based organizations can work together to create more impactful and sustainable solar programs that provide the maximum benefit to environmental justice communities.