According to the ACCEE report, many US households face a high energy burden, spending 6% of their income on energy bills. Additionally, 13% of US households face a severe energy burden, paying over 10% of their income towards energy bills, which means they are facing high financial strain from energy bills, as they can’t afford essentials like food, rent, and healthcare. To ease this burden, low income solar programs offer a promising solution.
Across the country, all utilities are witnessing that many people are not paying their energy bills. Also, industry conversations suggest that the energy burden is probably driving a wave that leads to unhealthy living conditions, such as residents heating their homes with open ovens in the winter and failing to cool their homes during heat waves.
To mitigate this impact, the report focuses on how this solar panel program can support low income families by providing solar incentives, rebates, and grants for solar panels. With access to these, families can reduce their energy bills and create a path toward energy equality.
How do low income solar programs help reduce this impact?
A low income homeowner may not be able to afford the high costs of residential solar installation. In this case,these solar programs can be a great way to ease the burden of high energy costs. Additionally, many states in the US are offering solar incentive programs and rebates to low income households. These solar programs make the switch to solar more affordable and accessible.
They provide grants, rebates, and state tax credits for the installation of solar panels and backup power systems to lower the cost of solar energy. The best solar programs include
1. Colorado Rooftop Low-Income Program
Through the Weatherization Assistance Program, low-income residents can get free solar panels. To qualify for this program, the families must be permanent residents, earning below 200% of the federal poverty level, and your system must provide more benefits than it costs.
2. Colorado Xcel Energy Solar Rewards Program
In Colorado, Xcel Energy will pay $1.00 per installed watt of solar up to 7 kW for income-qualified customers. For low income Colorado homes, this incentive helps decrease the cost of solar installation.
3. Washington, D.C. Solar For All Program
DC Solar For All Programs offers solar panels for low income families and access to community solar. Through this program, you can save up to 50% on electricity bills over 15 years. This makes going solar for low income families easier.
4. New York Solar for All Program
Customers of Central Hudson, NYSEG, Orange & Rockland, National Grid (selected counties), and the New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) can participate in the New York Solar For All program and save 5 to 15% monthly on electric bills.
In conclusion, the government should expand low income solar programs with home solar programs that require zero or less upfront costs, and utilities should offer low income solar incentives and assist their customers in finding solar incentives near them. Companies can also help by providing affordable solar panel options. The ACEEE Report reflects that low income solar programs open the doors to energy independence and ease the financial burden.
News Source: ACEEE “How High are Household Energy Burdens” Report