Fort Wayne chosen for federal grant to implement solar energy programs in the community - 21 Alive News
Fort Wayne chosen for federal grant to implement solar energy programs in the community
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - Fort Wayne will receive some of a $7 billion federal grant to implement solar energy programs in the community, the city shared Monday.
The Environmental Protection Agency made the grant opportunity, Solar for All, available to states, territories, municipalities, and eligible nonprofits through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, according to a press release. Funds will go toward low-income and disadvantaged households across the United States with access to affordable solar energy and the benefits of customer-owned and community solar.
Fort Wayne is part of two coalitions – Solar for All Indiana Coalition and Industrial Heartland Solar Coalition – that focus on broadening access to solar power. Though the amount of funding coming to Fort Wayne has not yet been determined, the city’s goal is to impact 600 homes through community solar or roof-top solar.
“Today is a great day for Fort Wayne. Solar energy is a tremendous renewable resource, and Solar for All offers an unprecedented opportunity to equitably expand access to the benefits of local solar energy to more of our residents than ever before,” said Doug Fasick, the city’s chief sustainability officer. “This investment will empower families to save money and take control of where their energy comes from.”
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Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: solar
Declining costs and government encouragement have resulted in a rapid increase in solar energy production in the United States over the past 10 years, although solar’s share remains small: 1.6 percent of all electricity generation in 2018. That rapid growth is projected to continue.