EPA Awards New Jersey $156 Million to Expand Solar Access for Low-Income Communities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) a $156 million grant under the Solar for All Program to bring solar power benefits to lower-income communities and those disproportionately impacted by climate change. This funding is part of the EPA’s broader $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, created through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at accelerating clean energy adoption.

Solar Power for Lower-Income Households

With this significant investment, New Jersey will develop various solar programs focusing on making renewable energy more accessible for vulnerable communities. The funding will support:

• Residential Solar Projects: Expanding solar panel installations for single-family homes.

• Multi-Family Housing Solar and Storage: Installing solar systems in apartment complexes and shared housing, alongside energy storage solutions.

• Community Solar Programs: Offering solar energy options for residential communities, allowing people to benefit from shared solar arrays without the need for individual rooftop installations.

• Workforce Development and Technical Assistance: Providing training and education to support the growing demand for jobs in the renewable energy sector.

Addressing Climate Change and Energy Inequality

New Jersey’s selection is part of a national initiative where 49 state-level recipients will receive a combined $5.5 billion in grants from the Solar for All program. Additionally, $500 million has been awarded to six Tribal governments, and $1 billion has been allocated for multi-state projects. These efforts aim to help underserved communities transition to clean energy and lower their electricity costs.

This initiative is also critical to advancing the Biden administration’s clean energy goals of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. By enabling solar power access in low-income areas, the program will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating more affordable energy options for residents.

For a full list of the awarded projects under the Solar for All Program, visit EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.