Illinois has been selected as a recipient of the U.S, Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Solar for All grant. Illinois will receive $156 million from the EPA through the Illinois Finance Authority to expand existing solar programs and increase solar adoption rates. The program, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, provides funds to local governments and nonprofits across the country to develop long-lasting solar programs that benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities who have historically been left out of solar development.
“The Biden-Harris administration recognizes the same truth I did when I signed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act into law—we cannot rely on any sort of clean energy future that doesn’t make space for those who have historically been left on the margins,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This award will help businesses and households throughout Illinois invest in solar, creating jobs and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.”
The EPA selected 60 applicants to receive funding under the $7 billion Solar for All grant competition. The program has three main goals: reducing climate and air pollution; uplifting disadvantaged communities; and mobilizing financing to spur additional deployment of low-cost solar energy.
The award, which will be distributed through the Illinois Finance Authority/Climate Bank (IFA), expands the existing Illinois Solar for All program and Adjustable Block Program/Illinois Shines (Illinois Shines). Illinois solar programs were granted additional opportunities, including funding and better regulatory structure, under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, signed into law by Governor Pritzker in 2021.
In addition to expanding existing solar affordability programs in Illinois, the grant funding will improve and extend direct community engagement efforts to expand residential solar adoption, create tools for contractors to braid multiple funding streams, and support local governments to streamline the application and permitting process. The program will also leverage and build on Illinois’ soon-to-be-implemented clean energy workforce development programs to grow an equitable workforce.
“The Illinois Climate Bank is grateful to President Biden and USEPA Administrator Michael Regan for the Solar for All award under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund,” said Chris Meister, Executive Director of the Illinois Finance Authority/Climate Bank. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor JB Pritzker and his nation-leading legislation, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), the Illinois Climate Bank is ready to deploy the Illinois allocation of the federal Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund through equitable climate finance.”
“The United States is at a critical juncture in our nation’s history where the renewable energy investments we make today will light a path for future generations,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02). “I am pleased to see this $156 million investment ensure that disadvantaged communities in our state can participate in the benefits of residential solar. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress and state leaders to strengthen our state’s domestic energy production, create jobs, and protect our environment.”