U.S. Department of Energy recently announced $10 million to accelerate community solar projects in under-represented communities.
The launch of DOE's National Community Solar Partnership initiatives will support deployment of equitable community solar projects through the Community Power Accelerator, according to a Jan. 19 news release.
"The National Community Solar Partnership provides yet another exciting opportunity to harness the power of the sun to power our communities — helping make our climate goals a reality while lowering energy costs and reducing local air pollution," Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm said in the release. "The president’s historic clean energy laws are supercharging access to renewable energy, and DOE is seizing the moment by accelerating community solar deployment to ensure affordable, clean energy is available whenever and wherever to everyone.”
The Community Power Accelerator and its $10 million prize is leveraging $5 billion in private-sector financing with an aim toward helping community-based organizations and other "mission-aligned project developers" to access the funding, the release said. DOE is looking for projects that build community solar projects, especially in in disadvantaged and under-represented communities.
DOE also announced the winners of the Sunny Awards for Equitable Community Solar, an awards program that honors outstanding practices in community solar projects and initiatives that broaden equitable access and guarantee benefits, according to the release. The winners were revealed during the NCSP annual summit.
The five teams selected were Shungnak-Kobuk Community Solar Battery IPP, Faribault Community Solar, Community Power: Jobs and Savings for LMI Households, District of Columbia's Solar for All and JOE-4-SUN Ashland, the release reported.
