Click for more independence.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced an enlightened program that connects families to solar energy through HHS’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).* The so-called Clean Energy Connector,** is a tool that connects families to solar energy through HHS’s LIHEAP. The first-of-its-kind software can now be used by local LIHEAP program administrators in Illinois, Washington, D.C., and New Mexico to connect community solar subscriptions to as many as 40,000 households with low incomes.
“Renewable energy is by far the cheapest form of power and now, thanks to innovative solutions developed under the Biden-Harris Administration, more households across America can access the health and savings benefits that solar power provides,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “DOE’s partnership with HHS will increase the deployment of community solar, helping thousands of families lower their energy bills and in turn reduce their energy burden, ensuring Americans across the nation are included as we transition to a clean energy economy,” Granholm claimed.
Solar energy is now less expensive than utility bill rates in many states. Community solar, which allows multiple customers to benefit from a shared solar energy system, provides a way for individuals who cannot access rooftop solar panels to save money on utility bills and access other benefits proponents say.
DOE also convened an advisory group, with compensation, which provided strategic support to Connector development through 2023, including the American Public Power Association, Clean Energy States Alliance, Edison Electric Institute, National Community Action Partnership, National Consumer Law Center, National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition, National Energy Assistance Directors Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and Solar United Neighbors.
According to a report by NREL, if all technically viable community solar is deployed, it could serve more than 53 million households and more than 300,000 businesses in the U.S. that cannot access rooftop solar, representing ~1 terawatt of potential community solar capacity.
“LIHEAP keeps families and individuals safe and healthy by providing heating assistance in the winter and cooling assistance in the summer,” said U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra. “Connecting LIHEAP-eligible households with the benefits and bill-savings of community solar will also have a lasting impact and provide increased economic security for families.” After announcing the development of the software in 2022, this pilot will enable as many as 40,000 LIHEAP-eligible households in the two pilot states, plus Washington, D.C., to have access to available community solar projects. Successfully enrolled participants could see meaningful electricity bill savings, in alignment with the National Community Solar Partnership goal of 20% household savings, equal to $370 per household annually.
*Approximately 5.7 million households in the United States receive LIHEAP assistance with heating costs. LIHEAP can assist eligible households with their heating and cooling costs, weatherization, and energy-related home repairs. Transitioning to solar energy can help households across the country save money on their electricity bills, but many American families face barriers to accessing these benefits, including the subscription fees.
**Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) with support from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association and the National Association of State Energy Officials, the Clean Energy Connector will enable state community solar program administrators to thoroughly vet the providers, who must adhere to the state consumer protection and savings requirements to participate in the platform. Local LIHEAP and community action agencies, and county social support offices in Illinois, Washington D.C., and New Mexico assisted in the development and testing of the tool, with Colorado, New Jersey, and New York participating as advisor states. Additional states are encouraged to join DOE’s webinar on April 10 to find out how to get involved.
Energy Independence – Clean Energy Connector Plugged In
Click for more independence.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced an enlightened program that connects families to solar energy through HHS’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).* The so-called Clean Energy Connector,** is a tool that connects families to solar energy through HHS’s LIHEAP. The first-of-its-kind software can now be used by local LIHEAP program administrators in Illinois, Washington, D.C., and New Mexico to connect community solar subscriptions to as many as 40,000 households with low incomes.
“Renewable energy is by far the cheapest form of power and now, thanks to innovative solutions developed under the Biden-Harris Administration, more households across America can access the health and savings benefits that solar power provides,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “DOE’s partnership with HHS will increase the deployment of community solar, helping thousands of families lower their energy bills and in turn reduce their energy burden, ensuring Americans across the nation are included as we transition to a clean energy economy,” Granholm claimed.
Solar energy is now less expensive than utility bill rates in many states. Community solar, which allows multiple customers to benefit from a shared solar energy system, provides a way for individuals who cannot access rooftop solar panels to save money on utility bills and access other benefits proponents say.
DOE also convened an advisory group, with compensation, which provided strategic support to Connector development through 2023, including the American Public Power Association, Clean Energy States Alliance, Edison Electric Institute, National Community Action Partnership, National Consumer Law Center, National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition, National Energy Assistance Directors Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and Solar United Neighbors.
According to a report by NREL, if all technically viable community solar is deployed, it could serve more than 53 million households and more than 300,000 businesses in the U.S. that cannot access rooftop solar, representing ~1 terawatt of potential community solar capacity.
“LIHEAP keeps families and individuals safe and healthy by providing heating assistance in the winter and cooling assistance in the summer,” said U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra. “Connecting LIHEAP-eligible households with the benefits and bill-savings of community solar will also have a lasting impact and provide increased economic security for families.” After announcing the development of the software in 2022, this pilot will enable as many as 40,000 LIHEAP-eligible households in the two pilot states, plus Washington, D.C., to have access to available community solar projects. Successfully enrolled participants could see meaningful electricity bill savings, in alignment with the National Community Solar Partnership goal of 20% household savings, equal to $370 per household annually.
*Approximately 5.7 million households in the United States receive LIHEAP assistance with heating costs. LIHEAP can assist eligible households with their heating and cooling costs, weatherization, and energy-related home repairs. Transitioning to solar energy can help households across the country save money on their electricity bills, but many American families face barriers to accessing these benefits, including the subscription fees.
**Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) with support from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association and the National Association of State Energy Officials, the Clean Energy Connector will enable state community solar program administrators to thoroughly vet the providers, who must adhere to the state consumer protection and savings requirements to participate in the platform. Local LIHEAP and community action agencies, and county social support offices in Illinois, Washington D.C., and New Mexico assisted in the development and testing of the tool, with Colorado, New Jersey, and New York participating as advisor states. Additional states are encouraged to join DOE’s webinar on April 10 to find out how to get involved.