The US government has allocated $7 billion in grant funding towards solar installations for more than 900,000 low-income households across the country.
The “solar for all” programme, funded via the Inflation Reduction Act, will be implemented in partnership with states, tribal governments, municipalities, and non-profits.
It will save low-income households $350 million in electricity costs a year, create 200,000 jobs in communities that need them, and tackle climate change and air pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency said in a statement.
The agency added that an estimated 4GW of solar capacity will be installed through the programme, which will help the government achieve its goal of having a zero-emissions power system by 2035.
“Solar is the cheapest form of electricity—and one of the best ways to lower energy costs for American families,” said John Podesta, president Joe Biden’s climate advisor.
“The US can and must lead the world in transforming our energy systems away from fossil fuels,” said senator Bernie Sanders, who spearheaded the scheme. “This is a win for the environment, a win for consumers, and a win for the economy.”
Other major economies have embarked on similar programmes, including in Asia.
India’s government, for example, recently announced plans to install rooftop solar panels on 10 million homes to cut household electricity bills and bolster the nation’s energy security.
In China, meanwhile, a nation-wide scheme to install rooftop solar on homes and businesses has driven down prices.
