In April 2024, PEDA was awarded $156 million dollars for a low-income residential solar installation program under U.S. EPA’s Solar for All competition. Solar for All aims to increase the availability and accessibility of solar energy to low-income homeowners and disadvantaged communities across PA.
PEDA’s Solar for All application was submitted in coalition with the Philadelphia Green Capital Corporation, the non-profit green bank affiliate of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. While PEDA will be developing a state-wide Solar for All program, PGCC will independently run the program in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties (Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, Bucks) by building on the success of the Solarize Philly initiative.
The Pennsylvania Solar for All Program will provide solar installations for 14,000 households throughout the Commonwealth over a 5-year program period.
PEDA will also use grant resources for home repairs that enable solar installations, battery storage, and, when appropriate, community solar to allow more households to experience the benefits of solar energy, maximize its value, and build energy resiliency.
The Solar for All program intends to engage and grow the local solar industry and contribute to the development of Pennsylvania’s clean energy workforce.
PEDA will work to the finalize the grant agreement with the EPA by September 2024, complete the initial program design, and prepare the program for launch targeting early 2025 for availability. PEDA aims to hold stakeholder engagement sessions during the Summer of 2024 to gain feedback on program design considerations.
Note that the program is not available yet so disregard any communication from solar installers indicating they are current partners.
For Solar for All program questions, reach out to Greg Smith at smitgreg@pa.gov or 717.772.5842