Register 
|
Login
Early Application Deadline
Jan 6th, 2017
Featured
Piney Woods School Receives Solar Panels from Tesla
The Piney Woods School will install new solar panels thanks to a donation from Tesla to support the school’s #Panels4Piney campaign. Through #Panels4Piney, the students are working to transition 8-10% of the school’s energy to renewable sources, savings that will be reinvested back into students.In March, Panels4Piney launched with a goal of raising $150,000 to install 100 kilowatts worth of solar panels on campus ahead of its 110 year anniversary in 2019. Solar panels from Tesla will help students toward achieving this goal, but they still need to fundraise for the full installation.
Thrifty Community Solar Barn Raising
The Thrifty Community Solar team hosted a Barn Raising in June 2017, installing 150 panels in 4 hours with over 50 volunteers.
Solarize Philly is Gaining Momentum
Solarize Philly is the first citywide solarize initiative in Philadelphia. A Solarize campaign allows a group of homeowners to install solar together at a reduced price. Led by the Philadelphia Energy Authority, the team’s goal is to add 2.5 MW of PV on 500 homes in the city. As of July, more than 1,500 households have expressed interest in participating, 11 contracts have been signed, and three solar installation companies have been selected.
Read past success stories here.
Featured
City of DuranGO Solar
Taking an innovative, integrated approach to scaling up solar in our sunny Southwest Colorado community.
Community Solar for Community Action
Using Social Impact Bonding and community trust ownership models to Demonstrate a New National Model of Low-income Energy Assistance.
Lowest Possible Cost Solar for Non-Profits That Serve Low to Moderate Income Communities
Everyone Wins With Solar
Directed Resiliency of Ulster County
Directing affordable resilient renewable energy systems to the non-profit and lower income communities
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Community Solar Rezilience
“Baduwat ledik, huluvigaduvi'milh” From the Wiyot: ‘Mad River sunshine, so many kinds of uses.’
Ecogy Solar for Affordable Housing
WHA, the largest affordable housing provider in DE & Ecogy Solar, an experienced solar financier and developer, team up to redevelop a...
Illinois Green Economy Network
Providing a platform to expand the deployment of clean energy technologies, increase employment opportunities, improve environmental and...
Project Carolina Phoenix
Bringing solar arrays to community supporting organizations, The Ronald McDonald House and Voorhees College.
Virginia Is For Solar
GRID Alternatives and Habitat for Humanity Making Solar Accessible to Everyone!
Solarize South Dallas
Fostering a Viable Clean Economy in South Dallas Through Community-Based Solar
Solar in Your Community challenge Bringing solar to all Americans
The Solar in Your Community Challenge is a $5 million contest to support innovative and replicable community-based solar business models and programs that will bring solar to underserved communities.
Download RulebookMotivation
Low and moderate income (LMI) households represent 40% of America’s population, but less than 5% of all solar customers. LMI households, non-profits, and government organizations face several barriers to going solar, including limited financing options, low or no credit history, and lack of access to the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit.
Call to Action
We call on innovators around the country to team up with key stakeholders in local communities and explore, pilot, and scale up new models that will create new solar markets for low and moderate income households, non-profits, and local governments.
get involved
Form a team to design and deploy scalable community-based solar projects or programs, up to 5MW in 18 months that serve at least 20% LMI households or 60% non-profits. Teams must register on the platform to join and then submit an application to participate. Projects and programs must be completed between 5/2/17 – 10/31/18.
Win Prizes
Teams will compete for a $500,000 Grand Prize for most effectively demonstrating an innovative and scalable solar model. DOE will grant up to $5 million in cash prizes and technical assistance throughout the competition with up to $2 million in seed prizes, $2 million technical assistance, and $1 million in final prizes.