Federal effort launched to expand solar power in communities

Originally, Obama sought 100 megawatts of renewable energy for federally assisted families by 2020.

“Here in CT, we’ve been focused on making our state greener, cleaner, and more efficient than ever before, all while lowering energy costs and creating local jobs in the green energy economy”.

Among the announcements, SunShot announced the launch of the Solar Training Network administrator. The idea is to achieve the new goal by promoting new financing mechanisms, providing technical assistance for states and communities, scaling up workforce training, convening stakeholders and collaborating with the private and philanthropic sectors.

This program aims to increase access to solar energy across communities of all income levels and geographies, so that no matter where you live, if you have a sunny roof, you have the chance to go solar. White House officials said energy upgrades can be made with no upfront costs, but homeowners will gradually pay back the cost through their property tax bills.

This clean-energy financing has existed for years, but officials say backing by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs should increase the number of families who can take advantage of the program.

The Department of Energy is developing a Community Solar Challenge to award teams in dozens of communities up to $100,000 to develop innovative models to increase solar deployment and cut energy bills. And chief among the announcements is the issuance of new guidance for property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing that will allow mortgage insurance to now be issued by the Federal Housing Administration and the Veterans Administration, rather than through the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association, which ran into roadblocks with PACE loans six years ago. The new program administrator, The Solar Foundation, will work to connect solar workforce trainers, solar employers, and individuals interested in working in the solar industry.

California Gov. Jerry Brown praised the effort, saying it would lead to more solar installations and energy-saving retrofits around the country. That department’s also unveiling a competitive grant program for communities to develop innovating ways to expand solar access.