Thanks to the US Clean Energy Plan under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Nevada Clean Energy Fund has received $156 million to implement a "Solar for All" initiative. This program is part of the US Solar For All initiative, which is allocating $7 billion to 60 applicants nationwide, and the Nevada Clean Energy Fund was one of the recipients. We spoke to the Environmental Defense Fund, which advocates for climate related solutions through a nexus of science, economics, law, and private-public sector partnerships.
"This will be 156 million to provide solar installations for low and moderate-income families, and that can be residential solar, that can be community solar that benefits those folks, could be the batteries needed for these kind of solar projects, as well as, and maybe this is one of the important things too, is workforce training," said Ben Bryce, Environmental Defense Fund Senior Manager for State Affairs Southwest Region.
The NCEF Solar for All initiative aims to fund solar energy solutions for low-income households in Nevada. This includes solar panels for affordable multifamily housing and community solar and energy storage projects. Due to the high upfront cost of solar installation, many Nevadans cannot enjoy the benefits of electricity savings and tax benefits.
"Installing these solar panels can be so cost prohibitive. So, the folks that are hurting the most, the folks who are being most impacted by changes from the climate leading to a hotter program, they are the ones who are going to benefit from this program. It makes those funds available to them, ensuring that no one is left behind," said Bryce, emphasizing the inclusivity of the initiative.
In addition to the $156 million allocated for Nevada, an additional $60 million in "Solar for All" funding is going towards Native American tribes in the South Western United States. This initiative is widely supported by Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen, the Governor's Office of Energy, and N-V Energy.
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