The White House plans to make solar energy more accessible to low-income Americans, lowering the electricity bills of citizens and also increasing the country's reliance on renewable energy sources.
A Washington Post reported that the Obama administration announced on Tuesday a series of initiatives that will allow low- and middle-income communities to benefit from this low-cost energy source. Among the projects being planned is a community solar facility that may be tapped by people who rent instead of own houses.
"The executive actions and private sector commitments that we are announcing today will help continue to scale up solar for all Americans, including those who are renters, lack the startup capital to invest in solar, or do not have adequate information on how to transition to solar energy," the White House said in a statement.
The report noted that while solar panel costs have been steadily declining, low and middle income families who are renting houses are not able to install these on their roofs and thus cannot get cheaper electricity. Citing a study from the George Washingon University Solar Institute, The Washington Post noted that while lower income Americans are more vulnerable to energy cost, they trail more affluent households in getting the benefit from these.
Aside from that, the White House also pledged to set up a National Community Solar Partnership to study how to give access to households and business that do not have adequate roof space to install solar panels.
The Obama administration also set a goal of installing 300 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy in federally subsidized housing and unveiled plans of private and public sector groups in more than 20 states to install more than 260 solar energy projects.
The initiative also includes $520 million in independent pledges from various groups to push for solar energy that will benefit low- and moderate- income households.
The announcement is a continuation of the Obama administration's renewed vigor to combat climate change. Last week, the U.S. government pledged together with Brazil that it will tap more renewable sources for its electricity needs. The Transportation department also unveiled last month tougher fuel efficiency standards for the country's trucks meant to cut carbon emissions.
