Vermont's Solar for All Program on indefinite hold
In May 2025, the Vermont Department of Public Service announced a $22 million subaward with Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) as part of the federal Solar for All Program (SFA). On August 7, 2025, the program was placed on hold indefinitely due to federal cancellation of funding. All SFA awardees across the country received the same cancellation notification.
This funding would support affordable housing solar initiatives across the state and represents more than a third of Vermont's $62.45 million federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Due to federal funds being frozen shortly after the award was announced, the Solar for All Program was put on hold indefinitely. Criteria for projects that would have occurred if the funding had not been halted are below.
News about SFA:
- April 22, 2024: Biden-Harris Administration announces Vermont Department of Public Service to receive nearly $62.5 million to deliver residential solar, lowering energy costs and advancing environmental justice across Vermont
- May 13, 2025: Department of Public Service Announces $22 Million Subaward to VHFA for Solar for All Program
- September 12, 2025: State of Vermont Department of Public Service Solar Announces Pause on SFA Funding
Program Materials:
- Vermont Department of Public Service Solar for All Program
- EPA Frequent Questions about Solar for All
- VHFA and the State of Vermont may further restrict program eligibility beyond the parameters defined by EPA.
Eligible Solar for All projects:
- Affordable housing projects with rents not exceeding 30% of 80% area median income (AMI) for at least half of residential units and/or single family or manufactured homes developed through state affordable housing programs with household incomes not exceeding 80% of AMI, to be finalized
- New construction or existing housing projects
- Projects offering long-term benefits to residents, which must include a 20% reduction in electricity bills or equivalent benefits, to be determined
- Rooftop or ground-mounted on-site arrays and/or participation in community solar projects
- Eligible enabling upgrades such as electrical system upgrades and structural building repairs to support the construction of solar arrays, to be determined
VHFA will work with the Department of Public Service to refine program criteria above and develop program application materials when funding becomes available.
Original Solar for All Program Timeline:
| 4/22/24 | EPA awards $64 million Solar for All award to Vermont |
| 12/17/2024 | EPA approves draft Solar for All workplan submitted by Vermont Public Service Department |
| 5/5/2025 | Vermont Public Service Department approves subaward to VHFA |
| 12/2025 | Final Solar for All workplan for State of Vermont due to EPA. Approved workplan is required to allow commitment of SFA funds to projects. |
| Within 90 days of EPA workplan approval | VHFA will open applications for SFA funds to housing projects. |
| September 2029 | Deadline to fully deploy SFA funds |