Free solar panels in the community

Will low-income households get affordable solar energy?

SIMON: Nothing. SALAS: (Speaking Spanish). SIMON: Soon, more low-income households like his will get affordable solar energy. A new Environmental Protection Agency program is giving $7 billion to programs that fund rooftop solar panels, batteries to store solar energy and something called community solar.

What is a community solar program?

Community solar programs are designed to allow households that don’t own their homes or have access to rooftop solar to benefit from solar energy.

Do low-income solar programs offer free solar panels?

Low-income solar programs don’t typically provide completely free solar panels, but they can greatly reduce installation costs. Most of the programs provide rebates or grants to cover the majority of rooftop solar installation costs for qualified applicants, but there may still be some costs or payments required.

Is solar for all a national program?

Some states and communities have already had Solar for All programs, but the $7 billion in grants authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act and awarded this week by the US Environmental Protection Agency will allow for a national adoption of the model. What is Solar for All?

How much will solar energy save a community?

This $7 billion investment will generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills for overburdened households. The program will reduce 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions cumulatively, from over four gigawatts of solar energy capacity unlocked for low-income communities over five years.

Are solar panels free?

Through these financing options, you can install solar panels for no money down, hence the term “free solar panels.” However, they are not free – monthly solar payments will still need to be made but are designed to be less expensive than your previous electricity bills, which should bring you some savings.