A new report by GPI staff for the national SolSmart program, Expanding Solar Access to Underserved Communities Through SolSmart, focuses on centering solar equity as a key principle of solar programs and policies. Centering solar equity will not only make solar energy more accessible but also distribute meaningful benefits to disadvantaged communities.
The report’s case studies on programs in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Washington, D.C., show how local governments can engage community-based organizations and environmental justice community members to identify major barriers and solutions to solar access. The report also highlights the specific SolSmart criteria communities can use to build equitable solar programs and provides information on the technical assistance available through SolSmart.
Low-income, rural, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities have not had equal opportunities to engage or invest in the clean energy transition, and the multiple benefits of clean energy deployment have largely benefited wealthier communities and households. Under-resourced communities face several significant barriers to solar deployment and solar access, including high upfront costs, limited workforce experience, and poor access to capital.
SolSmart communities addressing solar equity
SolSmart is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and funded by the US Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. GPI has served as a SolSmart technical assistance and recruitment partner since 2017.
SolSmart offers no-cost technical assistance to local governments across five criteria pathways on planning and zoning, permitting and inspection, community engagement, government operations, and market development.
The criteria pathways include equity components, and cities are encouraged to consider and implement these as they develop their solar programs. Cities that achieve points through implementing various criteria receive national designation. The report’s case study cities, Minneapolis and Washington D.C., fulfilled equity criteria as part of SolSmart’s designation process.
In developing the report, GPI investigated SolSmart-designated cities that sought to address solar energy equity through workforce development, community solar access, access to low-cost finance, community collaboration, low- and medium-income incentives, and alternative financing/repayment structures. We were especially interested in grassroots programs—programs initiated at the community level or that included a steering committee or task force with representatives from marginalized communities.
Case studies on equitable solar programs run by SolSmart communities: Minneapolis and Washington, D.C.
The report’s two case studies of equitable solar programs run by SolSmart communities—Minneapolis and Washington, D.C.—demonstrate the impact of SolSmart’s equity criteria on local governments’ solar energy programs and the impact of these programs on marginalized communities.
These communities have driven solar investment in underserved communities while achieving equitable workforce and economic development, public health, green infrastructure, climate, and community wealth.
Case study: Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., ran a Solar Works DC program in partnership with GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic and the district’s Department of Energy and Environment (this program has been expanded and reorganized as the NextGen Training Academy). The program provided paid solar installation job training for district residents that included wrap around services like childcare and transportation fare. As part of the hands-on training curriculum, program participants would install no-cost rooftop solar for low-income D.C. residents.
Solar Works D.C. benefited many low- and medium-income residents through both the job training program and the electricity savings realized by the residents who received the free solar installations.
Case study: Minneapolis, Minnesota
The City of Minneapolis runs two programs that promote equitable solar access while also addressing environmental pollution and climate change in disproportionately impacted communities.
The first program—Green Zones—designates neighborhoods in the city that have been underinvested in, marginalized, and impacted most by environmental inequities. Green Zones are then prioritized in the climate and equity programs run by the city. These Green Zones started as a grassroots effort and continue to have community-run boards that communicate their priorities with the city.
The second program—Green Cost Share—provides funding awards to residences, businesses, and nonprofits for projects related to energy savings, clean energy, reducing air pollution, and cutting carbon emissions. One part of this program is making solar more affordable to residents by matching a higher rate of funds for solar installations to those located in Green Zones.
Case studies provide examples for other cities to pursue equitable solar programs
SolSmart’s equity criteria have impacted how local governments develop solar energy programs in addressing workforce development, community solar access, access to low-cost finance, community collaboration, low- and medium-income incentives, and alternative financing/repayment structures.
This report details two community examples to use as case studies for making solar energy programs more equitable and attainable in other communities across the US. At the conclusion of each case study, we include a list of the SolSmart criteria communities can achieve for replicating a similar program. Communities can use these resources as a guide for building their own solar equity programs and take advantage of the free technical assistance SolSmart provides as they pursue designation.
Read the report on the SolSmart website: https://solsmart.org/resource/expanding-solar-access-to-underserved-communities-through-solsmart.
Sign up to receive free SolSmart technical assistance and achieve SolSmart designation: https://solsmart.org/designation-criteria. For more information on the services SolSmart provides to local governments, regional organizations, and counties, please contact Sydne Tursky, program coordinator, at [email protected].
