The Vermont Department of Public Service has announced a $22 million subaward with Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) as part of the federal Solar for All Program (SFA). This funding represents over a third of Vermont's $62.45 million federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will support affordable housing solar initiatives across the state.
SFA was created under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. It will offer $7 billion nationally to help lower the cost of electricity through solar power, which has historically been out of reach for low-income households.
The initiative was championed by Vermont's Congressional delegation, particularly by Senator Bernie Sanders who introduced the Solar for All Program. “Solar for All will not only combat the existential threat of climate change by making solar energy available to working class families,” said Senator Sanders. “It will also substantially lower the electric bills of Americans and create thousands of good-paying jobs. This is a win for the environment, a win for consumers, and a win for the economy.”
Under this partnership, VHFA will award grants and loans to affordable housing developers to support installation of solar arrays on building rooftops, on-site ground-mounted arrays, or participation in larger off-site community solar installations.
"We are pleased to partner with VHFA to deliver solar options for affordable housing residents," remarked Department of Public Service Commissioner Kerrick Johnson. "Currently, towns with the highest energy burden in Vermont have the least amount of installed solar. That’s why the primary objective of this program is to deliver benefits to disadvantaged Vermonters, regardless of their dwelling status.”
"VHFA is excited to participate in this historic program," said VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins. "The program will assist our residents, who can expect to receive a long-term reduction in their utility costs or equivalent benefits. Solar power will also help affordable housing developers become part of the climate solution by offsetting the increased costs associated with heating with electricity."
In the coming months, VHFA will hold public outreach sessions with housing developers, residents, and other key stakeholders to further inform the design of the program.
About Vermont’s Solar for All Program
Vermont's application to the EPA includes three separate programs:
- The VHFA affordable housing solar initiative, referred to as the Multi-Family Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) Program;
- The Affordable Community Renewable Energy (ACRE) Program, which is an existing community solar program run through utilities and will be expanded through the funding made available by SFA; and
- The Residential Assistance in Solar Energy (RAISE) Program, which will offer low-income single-family homeowners the opportunity for direct ownership of net-metered rooftop solar installations of up to 5 kilowatts.
For more information please visit: Solar For All Vermont | Department of Public Service