The U.S. government has allocated $7 billion for the Solar Energy for All program, which aims to install solar panels.
This is reported by Chet.
Widespread access to solar energy is critical to the US transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. But there is a problem: the cost of rooftop solar panels reaches tens of thousands of dollars, making them unaffordable for many Americans.
It is noted that new expanded government programs should bridge this price gap. The Solar Energy for All program offers free or low-cost rooftop solar panels.
"Thanks to this new Solar Energy for All program, 900,000 households will get solar panels on their roofs for the first time, and it will happen very soon. Millions of families will save almost $400 a year on utility bills," said America's President Joe Biden.
As it turned out, some states and communities already had a Solar for All program, but the $7 billion in grants will allow the model to be rolled out nationally.
It is reported that $7 billion in federal funding is currently being distributed among various grant applicants across the country. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be responsible for awarding these funds to 60 grantees who have successfully demonstrated the need for their own Solar for All program.
The Alliance of Clean Energy States predicts the federal program will bring an additional 2.9 GW of solar capacity to the grid, providing $2 billion in savings to 711,000 low-income households over the next five years. The EPA predicts that this investment will provide more than $8 billion in savings to overburdened households over the life of the program.
"In other words, we're spending $7 billion to save more than $8.7 billion — and we're reducing carbon emissions and creating jobs," said Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, more than 400,000 solar systems have already been installed in Germany, which are connected to the electric grid. Many of them are easily placed on residents' balconies.
