WISCONSIN (WQOW) – As the state and country celebrate Earth Week, Wisconsin is receiving a grant of $62.4 million from the federal government to help fund solar systems for low and moderate-income households across the state.
In a press release from Gov. Tony Evers’ office, it said Wisconsin is among 60 states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits across the country receiving $7 billion awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under its Solar for All initiative. It aims to deliver residential solar projects to over 900,000 households nationwide.
“What better way to celebrate Earth Day and Earth Week, especially here in Wisconsin, where Earth Day began with an idea Gaylord Nelson, our former governor and U.S. senator, had some fifty years ago,” said Gov. Evers. “I’m excited Wisconsin was selected for the EPA’s Solar for All program. This will help support the important benefits of renewable solar energy for low- and moderate-income households across our state through rooftop residential, multifamily, and community solar projects. These investments will help Wisconsin build upon our work toward achieving 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050 while creating good-paying jobs, reducing reliance on out-of-state energy sources, and lowering energy costs for Wisconsin homeowners and renters.”
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) sought the grant. With the grant, WEDC said the Wisconsin Solar for All Program would increase solar capacity throughout the state with a goal of serving as many low-income Wisconsin residents as possible by offering multiple avenues to the solar power market.
Low-income households comprise approximately 29 percent of Wisconsin households.
EPA anticipates that awards to the selected applicants will be finalized in the summer of 2024. WEDC anticipates that it will begin funding projects late in 2024 or early 2025.
WEDC officials say they likely won’t receive the funds from the federal government until fall.
They are also still in the process of developing the applications and programs within the Solar for All program that would define low or medium-income, as well as how people can apply.
This post was originally published on 3rd party site mentioned in the title of this site
