LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Michigan Department for Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has announced new funding opportunities for community solar projects. EGLE’s MI Solar Access program aims to help communities remove roadblocks to clean energy.
Many people want the benefits of solar energy but for a variety of reasons cannot install solar panels where they live. They may rent, have an unsuitable roof, or experience other factors that limit their ability to benefit from renewable energy. At the same time, funding for renewable energy projects is supported by all ratepayers and taxpayers, so increasing access to the benefits of these projects is a matter of equity.
Michigan currently does not have enabling legislation for community solar, so community solar programs in michigan are developed and managed through a local electric utility.
Lisa Thomas, Environmental Engineer Specialist with EGLE explained that the MI Solar Access program is split up into three different categories, with awards ranging from $80,000 to $100,000
“This particular program is specifically for those who can’t go out and buy their own solar panels but can group buy to offset those costs,” Thomas explained. “Providing those options for folks that do want to participate in solar energy, and finding those ways and solutions give folks involved.”
The first targets community solar models that benefit low to moderate-income customers. Eligible projects include solar energy, efficiency upgrades, and projects that help consumers save on their electric bills.
EGLE’s energy unit participated in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy for Low-Income Community Accelerator (CELICA) and continues to work with partners to address low-income energy challenges and provide access to alternative clean energy.
The second, called MI Solarize, will support business and non-profit organizations and grant funding for installation and create more options that let them share the costs and responsibilities of a solar array.
The third will help consumers with existing arrays, install energy storage.
Jeff Johnston, public information officer with EGLE explained that the program also supports renewable energy goals in the MI Healthy Climate Plan to attain carbon-neutrality in Michigan by 2050 to avert the worst impacts of climate change.
“Solar power is an important component of Michigan’s energy future,” Johnston said. “Anything that we can do to increase the flexibility and availability of solar energy to bring that to more people and more communities in Michigan, the better off we are.”
MI Solar Access partners local electric utilities, state government, weatherization entities, and other organizations. It offers households a subscription to lease a set number of panels for a set number of years.
EGLE has published a request for proposals (RFP), online application, and sample grant agreement for the MI Solar Access grant program, open to local and tribal governments, electric utilities, small to midsize businesses, and nonprofit organizations in michigan located in or serving either a municipal or cooperative electric utility territory in the state.
Program objectives include expanding access to solar regardless of households’ ability to install solar panels on their property, providing potential financial energy cost savings to subscribers, promoting environmental benefits to participants, and fostering equity and inclusivity of access to the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy.
