Top energy policymakers, federal legislators and state and local energy experts came out in New York and Washington D.C. this week to help us celebrate the release of our new Low-Income Solar Policy Guide! Developed in partnership with Vote Solar and the Center for Social Inclusion, the guide gives a comprehensive overview of proven policies and program models for expanding access to solar power and solar jobs around the country.
With the cost of solar continuing to drop and the industry continuing to grow, we have an incredible opportunity to bring solar power and solar jobs to the communities that need them most across the country. Aimed at policymakers and community leaders, the guide shows how targeted policies at national scale can open solar access for many of America’s 6 million affordable housing units, 22 million owner-occupied households defined as low-income, and even rental homes.
We had a great turnout at our New York City launch event, a panel discussion with John Rhodes, President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Kerry O’Neill, Managing Director of Residential Programs at the Connecticut Green Bank, and Rory Christian, the New York director for clean energy at Environmental Defense Fund.
In Washington D.C. nearly 100 people joined us for a discussion with Dan Utech, deputy assistant to the President for energy and climate change, representatives Keith Ellison (D-MN), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), and Tommy Wells, director of the D.C. Department of Energy & Environment.
Special thanks to Amit Ronen, director of the George Washington University Solar Institute and GRID Alternatives New York Tri-State board member Ben Healey for moderating the panels; to the Office of Representative Barbara Lee and Morgan, Lewis and Bockius for providing event space; and to the Energy Foundation and the 11th Hour Project for their support of the guide.
Check out the #solarforall and #solar4all chatter on Twitter, or visit our news page for some great media coverage.