Power to the Poor: White House Supports Solar Energy for Low-Income Families

Power to the Poor: White House Supports Solar Energy for Low-Income Families

The White House has announced a new initiative to help low- and middle-income Americans adopt solar energy. Under the plan, the federal government will support increased access to solar energy in three ways, according to The Hill. The government will triple the capacity of solar and other renewable energy systems installed in federally subsidized housing by 2020. A loan program from the Department of Energy will make borrowing easier for homeowners to make solar improvements by building community solar systems, neighborhood solar farms instead of rooftop panels installed on individual home and businesses. And a national program to help renters get solar energy will be launched. In addition, the administration is setting up another program to train solar industry workers, with a focus on getting the poor into the renewable energy workplace.

The overall effort will be underwritten by $520 million from charities, investors, states, and cities. Federal officials also announced 260 additional projects from the private sector and state and local governments to expand solar in low- and moderate-income communities. 

I’m John Howell for 3BL Media.