US
Solar for All funding has the potential to significantly impact low-income communities by supporting solar projects in multifamily buildings.
This article, "Unlocking Shared Rooftop Solar for Multifamily Residents", written by Aliya Bagewadi for North American Clean Energy, highlights the Solar for All initiative, backed by $7 billion from the Environmental Protection Agency. It offers a significant opportunity to bring solar energy to low-income communities. However, multifamily buildings remain underutilized due to challenges like split incentives, complex ownership structures, and financial constraints, despite the higher energy burden on residents.
Innovations such as shared solar distribution systems and declining battery storage costs are now making solar adoption for multifamily units more feasible. To capitalize on this, Solar for All recipients should focus on multifamily projects, leveraging policy incentives and partnering with affordable housing developers. This approach not only maximizes the impact of solar installations but also promotes energy equity, ensuring broader access to clean energy.