Washington DC’s Solar for All (SFA) program has received a USD 62.45m infusion of capital from the federal government to expand its work, the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) announced this week.

The recent funding award from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is part of the agency’s USD 7bn Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Per DOEE, the money will go towards expanding solar energy benefits to about 12,000 low-to-moderate-income (LMI) households in DC.

That would more than double the almost 10,000 households that have participated in SFA through rooftop or community solar subscriptions since Washington DC established the program via the Renewable Portfolio Standard Expansion Amendment Act in 2016. DOEE said the new USD 62.45m award will help the state deploy an additional 33-43 MW of community and rooftop solar over the next five years.

DC’s SFA program provides financing for the development of solar systems through direct incentives to solar developers for both rooftop systems on single-family homes and community renewable energy facilities (CREFs) that generate credits for community solar subscriptions.

DOEE officials said the department has been working on the next phase of SFA alongside coalition partners including the DC Green Bank, DC Sustainable Energy Utility, City First Enterprises,International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Interfaith Power and Light, the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative, and Groundswell, who is also organizing the Southeast Rural Power Program made possible through a USD 156m multistate SFA award.

Specifically, the next phase of SFA will add a revolving loan fund administered by DC Green Bank and City First Enterprises to expand financing opportunities for solar deployment. Loans and incentive payments may be used together. Funding will allow for roof and electrical upgrades through SFA, and the expansion will also include increased outreach and support to residents as well as workforce development opportunities.

NPM is tracking six pre-operational solar projects in Washington DC, mainly rooftop and carport solar projects on college campuses. Scale Microgrid Solutions, New Columbia Solar, and Standard Solar are active developers in the district.