Georgia has launched its Building Renewables & Investing for Green, Healthy, and Thriving Communities (BRIGHT) program, extending access to solar for residents that may not qualify for traditional financing.
Run by the Capital Good Fund, a nonprofit institution, the program is supported by a $1 million grant from the Arthur M. Blank foundation.
Under the program, customers are offered solar leases for no upfront cost, even for customers with credit scores too low for traditional solar financing. Capital Good Fund owns and maintains the solar installation over a 25-year lease term, with an option to buy the panels at year seven. The system is offered at 65% of the original price at that time.
The program ran a pilot project in September, signing up 200 households that make less than $100,000 per year across Georgia.
Program managers said the average family should expect about 20% savings per month on their electricity bills, or about $10,000 to $15,000.
About one-third of Georgians spend more than 10% of their monthly income on energy bills, a level that places them in “energy poverty.” The median household pays about 3% of their monthly income on power.
“If we can make cost-saving solar work for people in a state like Georgia, there is hope for households who need this type of relief across the South,” said Southern Environmental Law Center senior attorney Jennifer Whitfield.
Funding for low-income solar is on the rise in the United States, boosted by the $7 billion Solar for All program, contained within the Inflation Reduction Act. The program funds rooftop solar projects in lower income communities and provides solar workforce development. Solar for All grants are expected to be awarded this year.
“The Georgia BRIGHT program is just a preview of the transformative power of Solar for All grant funding,” said Whitfield. “We’ll be able to prove that solar is not only resilient and cost saving, but economically viable here in the South.”
Last July, first-stage grant applications were invited from states and other eligible entities for the $7 billion Solar for All program. States, territories, tribal governments, municipalities, and eligible nonprofits were invited to apply for a grant in an amount between $25 million and $400 million.
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We are an low income two family members. And my self the older twin sister. Since my HS,Snr.Yr.,1973. And when former pres.Jimmy Carter in the whitehouse.gov went solar. Which was my secret desire. That came to past. Since we became inherited home owners. It took place. Fri.19,Aug.2022. I,(We) went SOLAR. Under ADT,Solar, grant program. Of USA Energy Div? Our particular home was sitting directly in the path great Sun energy. We’ve 17panels, which are not leased? But under 25yrs svc warranty… We did get after 16wks, the utility & cust credit.chks for the total of $3k. $1k went on our old reg. Electric. bill bal. And the reminder, goes toward our new monthly solar generator discounts. That’s were you’ll see how you’ll really save monthly. ‘n down the yrs! Still our biggest BEEF! Was finding out this yr.’24! TaxSeason! Our annual income would 🚫 NOT allow us. 2 Obtain that SolarTaxCreditIncentive. Which will last for 10yrs. Which is a real.mean.sad.ugly.dissspointment.bummer. Which after I’ve approached my newest solar,ADT specialist. Finding out ADT has begun to merge under another comp. Not clear why? Either b’cuz many of their specialist coreced ‘n lied to alot of present cust. To sign… Once approved. But my newest specialist, has been advocating for all solar owners to have that opportunity. B’cuz sadly rt now StateofGa.EnergyComm. has been operating in a stalemate mindset… Refusing to really allow proper tax breaks. To all income levels who’s gone solar. Still I’m pleased with each monthly bill. Under $8-$40,especially when the Sun 🌻🌞 comes out n stays! Our EnphaseApp proves how the system n grid operates. I know. I’ve given you honest detailed info. So you’ll know if you will get solar? B’cuz that’s how I do! Try to live fair n honest; to the best of my ability. MyRoyalaBantuQueen! mother raised me like that!