EPA Abandons Solar for All Program

Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it intends to rescind all 60 grants awarded under the $7 billion in Solar for All Program. The congressionally mandated program was designed to help homeowners and communities across the country get support to install solar panels and save money on their utility bills.

Corey Solow, Legislative Director for Climate and Energy at Earthjustice, issued the following statement in response:

“The Trump administration is once again gutting critical funding for community solar and harming communities for its false ‘energy emergency.’ Solar for All projects were spurring positive, on-the-ground change in communities — early investments will provide reliable energy and lower costs for communities that stand to benefit the most from the clean energy transition. With electricity rates rising, the termination of the Solar for All Program could not come at a worse time. Instead of focusing on cost-saving investments, the Trump EPA is keeping these communities reliant on polluting, fossil energy.”

Background

In April 2024, the Biden administration announced 60 awardees for the $7 billion in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ‘Solar for All’ Program. The grants, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, would go to states, territories, tribes, municipalities, and nonprofits across the country to fund residential distributed solar projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The Solar for All Program would lower energy bills for millions of Americans, provide equitable access to clean energy, reduce pollution, increase power resiliency, invest in local business, and create quality jobs.