Recorded on June 13, 2024

The $7 billion federal Solar for All competition is set to make an unprecedented investment in improving access to solar and associated energy storage and efficiency for low-to-moderate income (LMI) and disadvantaged communities across the United States. Considering the average income of solar adopters was $117,000 in 2022, Solar for All's emphasis on reaching LMI and disadvantaged homeowners and renters is a significant step towards democratizing the benefits of the nation's growing deployment of distributed and community-based solar, aiming to bridge the gap for hundreds of thousands of households previously excluded from the benefits of solar adoption. 

While the federal Solar for All program – in addition to existing state-based low-income solar programs – is poised to address and alleviate financial barriers that have inhibited the deployment of solar and associated energy storage and efficiency in underserved communities, other regulatory, permitting, grid infrastructure, and utility data access issues persist. Public Utility Commissions can play a meaningful role in addressing many of these potential barriers to expanding solar access and leveraging the full potential of Solar for All.

This discussion brought together Solar for All selectees, utility regulators, thought leaders, and project developers to discuss opportunities to collaboratively support increased deployment of distributed and community-based solar in LMI and disadvantaged communities.

Panelists

• Christine Guhl-Sadovy, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
  President
  
  
• Elizabeth Mahony, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
  Senior Manager of Policy and Markets

• Alisa Petersen, RMI
  Federal Policy Manager

• Bronte Payne, SunPower
  Senior Manager of Policy and Strategy

• Andie Wyatt, GRID Alternatives
  Managing Policy Director and Counsel

Moderator

• Commissioner Emeritus Tremaine Phillips, Third Coast Strategies, LLC
  President