In April, the Center for Rural Affairs announced it has been awarded a $62 million grant under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All program. With this grant, the Center will focus on ensuring low-income and historically disadvantaged households in Nebraska have equitable access to solar power and the means to become owners of solar energy production.
The Solar for All grant will enable the deployment of more than 60 megawatts (MW) of new residential-serving solar energy to more than 9,000 households in Nebraska, increasing the amount of solar energy deployed in Nebraska by more than 60% over the five-year grant period. The initiative will transform the residential solar market, lower energy costs, and reduce pollution in underserved communities across the state.
Nebraska Solar for All includes low-interest loans, grants, and subsidies to support three key areas.
- Community solar: The Center will collaborate with public utilities to develop residential-serving community solar arrays, using virtual net metering, bill credit, or third-party subsidy to deliver savings.
- Multifamily affordable housing solar: The Center will partner with utilities, housing developers, and low-income housing financing partners to deploy solar for income-qualified multifamily housing units.
- Rooftop solar: The Center will provide behind-the-meter or rooftop solar for qualified households, screening residents for eligibility and site suitability and connecting them to technical service providers and solar installers.
Nebraska Solar for All will be implemented statewide and include rural, urban, suburban, and Tribal communities.
In addition, the program will provide resources to help train workers to install and maintain the new equipment. Growing the solar installation workforce in Nebraska is a necessary component for the program’s success.
Community solar projects offer the opportunity to greatly expand access to solar since one project can benefit many households. Community solar projects can be up to 5 MW, and at least 50% of the power generated must serve residential consumers in the same utility. Solar for All dollars can support only the portion of the project that serves eligible households.
The Center has been busy setting the groundwork for the program, and three new staff have been hired for the initiative. Daniel Padilla joined as director of the program, Laura Priest as a program associate, and Jana Dye as the compliance and contract manager. The Center has additional roles to fill for those who have industry knowledge and a passion to expand and create solar solutions statewide.
The Center is excited to partner with communities, organizations, utilities, and developers to implement the Solar for All program in Nebraska. Those interested in collaborating on this historic project can submit an intake form at cfra.org/NebraskaSolarForAll. For questions or assistance, contact Laura Priest at [email protected].
Feature photo: Center for Rural Affairs Solar for All staff Jana Dye, Cliff Menser, and Daniel Padilla take a walk around the Central City Solar Garden.
