Massachusetts’ Solar for All program could result in a 20% reduction in energy costs to 31,000 low-income and disadvantaged households, support 2,800 clean energy jobs, and decrease annual carbon emissions by 70,000 tons

Boston, MA - The Healey-Driscoll Administration April 22, 2024 celebrated its selection by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to receive $156 million in funding under the Solar for All competition, a $7 billion program that is part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. A coalition led by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and including the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), MassHousing, and Boston Housing Authority, submitted the state’s application to the Solar for All competition. Massachusetts, qualifying as a Medium Program, received one of the largest state awards and the largest award in New England.

"The Inflation Reduction Act is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fund state climate action, and Massachusetts is leading the pack once again,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’ve adopted a strategy that combines housing affordability and climate policy, supporting our residents in accessing the important cost and health benefits that come with solar energy. We’re grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and our federal delegation for this investment in Massachusetts’ climate leadership.”

“The Solar for All application is Team Massachusetts in action,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Instead of dozens of small applications coming from our state competing against each other, we worked with over 80 stakeholders and communities to put forward a single strong application. That’s the power of partnership in a high-stakes federal competition.”

Massachusetts’ Solar for All program expects to deploy 125 megawatts of solar capacity, provide a 20 percent reduction in energy costs to more than 31,000 low-income and disadvantaged households, support 2,800 clean energy jobs, and decrease annual carbon emissions by 70,500 tons. Massachusetts anticipates this funding will mobilize an estimated $286 million in other private capital. The Solar for All program will be available to all Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities across Massachusetts to maximize program participation and impact in historically underserved communities.

"Climate change presents us with an opportunity to do things differently – with Solar for All, the people most deeply impacted by extreme weather and pollution will be at the front of the line for clean, affordable, locally-produced energy,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Residents will be able to look around their communities and see tangible benefits of the clean energy transition thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act - solar panels on roofs, local workers with good-paying jobs, and cleaner air for us all to breathe.”

"Our comprehensive approach to climate action helped us secure this grant and will help us implement it,” said Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer. “This application was a strategic collaboration between energy and housing agencies, and now our low-income residents will reap the benefits of affordable solar energy. Our Solar for All program will build on other initiatives like the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank to leverage public and private funds to promote housing affordability and clean energy.”

"Our team is thrilled to receive $156 million to power the future of solar in Massachusetts,” said Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony, who will oversee the program. “Massachusetts has been a national leader in deploying solar, and this investment will take our programming to the next level. We are ready to put these funds to work, setting up solar on affordable homes and training up the workforce who will make it happen.”

"This Solar for All award is an important part of our whole-of-government effort to bring home federal funding to Massachusetts that advances our climate goals, while addressing equity and creating good paying jobs for a clean energy future," said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. "Thank you to President Biden, Administrator Regan, and the Massachusetts congressional delegation for making possible this exciting award. We look forward to continuing partnerships across state agencies and with our local communities to secure these impactful federal dollars for Massachusetts."

“This incredibly exciting win for the Commonwealth will bring solar power to low-income households, lowering energy costs for residents and supporting good-paying jobs across Massachusetts,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investments through the Inflation Reduction Act are accelerating our goals to expand access to affordable clean energy and build an equitable workforce to implement that transformation.”

The Massachusetts Solar for All program will make solar PV more accessible for small residential and multifamily homes and expand access to community solar. Planned components of the program include a residential zero-interest loan initiative, a residential lease initiative, a public affordable housing procurement initiative, a private affordable housing financing initiative, and a low-income community shared solar initiative. Massachusetts’ Solar for All program will also include funding for technical assistance, education, outreach, quality assurance, and workforce training.

Massachusetts’ Solar for All program initiatives are designed to meet the needs of LIDC stakeholders. Each initiative will be supported by existing financial incentives, innovative financial products, a solar-friendly regulatory environment, technical assistance, workforce development, and community engagement activities.

“Today we’re delivering on President Biden’s promise that no community is left behind by investing $7 billion in solar energy projects for over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The selectees will advance solar energy initiatives across the country, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, saving $8 billion in energy costs for families, delivering cleaner air, and combating climate change.” 

“Solar is the cheapest form of electricity-and one of the best ways to lower energy costs for American families,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. “Today’s announcement of EPA’s Solar for All awards will mean that low-income communities, and not just well-off communities, will feel the cost-saving benefits of solar thanks to this investment.”

The state’s application was a collaboration between energy and housing agencies, highlighting the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s whole-of-government approach to address climate change. The Solar for All will combine the state’s solar energy and building decarbonization expertise at DOER and MassCEC with the housing finance and development expertise of MassHousing and Boston Housing Authority. In addition, the collaboration leverages the state’s creation of the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank in June 2023.  

The program was developed through extensive consultation with communities, including dozens of meetings with key stakeholders from solar industry, environmental justice, labor, and community development groups. More than 80 stakeholder organizations provided letters of support for Massachusetts’ Program, including the Massachusetts Building Trades Union and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Statements of Support

Senator Elizabeth Warren:

“To tackle the climate crisis, we need to transition to a clean energy future. I fought hard to ensure this investment was included in the Inflation Reduction Act and called on Massachusetts communities to apply for this funding, so that our communities could see more solar panels on roofs, good union jobs, lower energy bills, and a cleaner environment.”

Senator Edward J. Markey, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Safety:

“The new 21st century revolutionary slogan for Massachusetts is ‘The solar is coming! The solar is coming!’ After working hard to get this historic Solar for All funding into the Inflation Reduction Act and passing it through Congress, I’m thrilled the Commonwealth is receiving an award to supercharge its already nation-leading solar energy deployment. This will help families across Massachusetts to enjoy the benefits of clean energy-lower costs, cleaner air, and a livable future-while creating good-paying jobs. The Solar for All program is only the latest example of how Massachusetts is winning federal funding to bring tangible benefits to Bay Staters.”

Sara Birmingham, Vice President of State Affairs, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA):

“Solar for All provides an essential opportunity to leverage the Biden administration's commitment to addressing climate change while reducing electricity costs for Massachusetts residents. This funding will expand solar access with simple financing options for customers, investments in community solar, and other critical initiatives that will strengthen Massachusetts’ clean energy economy. The solar and storage industry congratulates the Healey administration for their work to earn this award for the Commonwealth.”