At this year’s Intersolar conference, thought leaders from across the solar industry convened for a compelling session titled “Advancing Energy Equity Through Solar for All.” The discussion highlighted the growing need to bring affordable solar solutions to underserved communities and explored the funding, technology, and policy levers that can make truly inclusive, sustainable energy a reality. Below is a concise rundown of the panel’s major talking points, accompanied by insights to help us all take meaningful steps toward a more equitable energy future.
1. Why Energy Equity, Solar Equity Matters
Panelists:
- Amanda Lee, Banyan Infrastructure – Specializes in sustainable infrastructure financing, focusing on tools that improve access to capital for climate-forward projects.
- Mel Berg, Aluminum Energy – Oversees business development for multifamily housing solar deployments, especially in affordable housing markets.
- Tom Neyhart, PosiGen – Leads a company dedicated to making solar and energy efficiency solutions accessible to low-to-moderate-income households.
- Moderator: Senior Director of Business Development & Policy at Solstice, a community solar manager with a focus on serving low-to-moderate-income (LMI) communities.
Their collective message was clear: everyone deserves access to clean, affordable energy—yet low-income and multifamily households often encounter higher barriers. When these communities gain solar access, they don’t just lower their bills; they also benefit from better air quality, improved local infrastructure, and new job opportunities.
2. Funding Landscape & Federal Uncertainty
A key portion of the conversation centered on the “Solar for All” program (and broader Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund efforts), which infuse large amounts of capital into solar projects for disadvantaged communities. While ongoing policy and legal uncertainties pose potential challenges, the panel underscored that:
- Committed Funds Still Flow: Many awarded funds have already landed in state agencies or nonprofits, suggesting that some level of project deployment will continue.
- Collaboration with Private Capital: Green Banks, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and other mission-oriented lenders are stepping up. By pairing federal dollars with private capital, they lower risk, scale impact, and foster long-term sustainability even if some federal support wanes.
- State-Level Solutions: Where federal incentives face roadblocks, local or state programs (like Illinois’s robust solar incentives) can keep projects moving forward, especially for housing authorities or nonprofits that already have a strong coalition in place.
3. Multifamily Housing: An Untapped Market
As 40% of U.S. households are in multifamily dwellings, speakers emphasized the enormous potential—currently less than 1% of solar projects target this sector. Novel behind-the-meter technologies (like “So Share”) can split output from a single rooftop among multiple apartments. This approach:
- Overcomes Utility Restrictions: Multifamily residents often lose out on benefits like net metering or community solar credits. Behind-the-meter solutions can bypass those roadblocks.
- Delivers Tangible Savings: In one Florida pilot, tenants saw utility bills cut by up to 80% on certain days.
- Generates Crucial Data: Monitoring and reporting technology can document real-world savings—key for unlocking further investment and meeting grant or lender requirements.
4. Cost Reduction & Streamlined Processes
All panelists agreed the solar industry’s “soft costs” (permitting, legal fees, compliance) remain too high, especially for smaller or lower-margin projects. The group recommended the following strategies:
- Standardization of Contracts & Financing: Every transaction should not require starting from scratch with multiple attorneys and unique deal structures. Templates and recognized best practices can lower overhead.
- Digital Transformation: Investing in software to handle documentation, reporting, and compliance reduces manual errors and speeds up approvals.
- Unified Permitting Efforts: Encouraging localities to adopt consistent permitting guidelines or simplified “one-stop shops” can dramatically shorten project timelines and cut costs.
5. Creating Lasting Community Impact
Beyond the immediate energy savings, solar in underserved communities can trigger positive economic ripple effects. From local job training to increased small-business revenue, investing in solar helps money stay in the community longer. Hiring from within the neighborhoods served by solar projects also fosters trust, ensures programs meet real needs, and builds a lasting foundation for future growth.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Despite uncertainties in federal funding, the session’s overall tenor was optimistic. States, nonprofits, mission-based lenders, and private capital are forging stronger partnerships to ensure low-to-moderate-income households don’t get left behind in the clean energy transition. By cutting soft costs, innovating in multifamily deployment, and building more inclusive financing models, solar can truly become “for all.”
As Amanda Lee put it, “The critical factor isn’t just money, but how we channel and blend that money into local communities.” Whether you’re a solar developer, community advocate, or policy strategist, the big takeaway is clear: collaboration and efficiency are the keys to driving equitable solar adoption—no matter what the federal landscape looks like.
Have ideas on bridging the solar equity gap or want to share your own success story? Let’s connect and keep the conversation going. Together, we can shine a brighter, more inclusive solar future for everyone.
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