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DOE, HHS Launch Pilot of Tool to Connect Families to Solar Energy Through LIHEAP

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The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have launched the pilot of a tool that connects families to solar energy through HHS’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

The federal agencies offered details on the Clean Energy Connector on March 19.

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.

After announcing the development of the software in 2022, the 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, DOE said.

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,” DOE said.

The American Public Power Association strongly supports LIHEAP.

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.

DOE also convened an advisory group that provided strategic support to Connector development through 2023, including APPA, 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 recently released by NREL, if all technically viable community solar is deployed, it could serve more than 53 million households and over 300,000 businesses in the U.S. that cannot access rooftop solar, representing nearly 1 terawatt of potential community solar capacity.  

Learn more about HHS’s Community Solar and LIHEAP consideration.