Energy equity

Energy efficiency

North Carolina families see lower bills with new Duke Energy program

The utility refers low-income customers to groups like Energy Savers Network, which provides free efficiency retrofits for long-term savings.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 9 September 2025

A person uses a caulk gun to seal cracks on the edge of a home window — Caulking around windows and other home retrofits can lower energy bills for households. In North Carolina, Energy Savers Network has provided such weatherization upgrades for around 1,400 homes since 2016. (Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Solar

How affordable housing can still go solar, despite Trump turbulence

The Trump admin is trying to claw back funding for low-income solar, but projects can still save residents money if local financing fills in the gaps.

By Jeff St. John . 27 August 2025
Solar

Community solar is winning over Republican lawmakers around the US

In Georgia, Iowa, Missouri, and Ohio, GOP legislators have sponsored bills to spur community solar, which allows more people to access cheap, clean power.

By Alison F. Takemura . 29 April 2025
Virtual power plants

Haven to install free solar, batteries for thousands of California homes

The startup is tapping a new state funding pool to help low-income families access the benefits of clean energy and battery backup for their residences.

By Julian Spector . 21 April 2025
Utilities

Ohio grid disparities leave some areas with older, outage-prone equipment

Advocates want state utility regulators to take up the issue of grid investment disparities in FirstEnergy’s pending rate case.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 17 April 2025
Policy & regulation

USDA awards $6B to rural clean power initiatives

The funding will mostly go toward helping rural electric co-ops build solar, wind, and battery projects that will clean up the grid, create jobs, and save money.

By Keaton Peters . 15 January 2025
Solar

PosiGen wins another $200M for lower-income rooftop solar

Pioneering solar installer PosiGen will benefit from Brookfield Asset Management's new investment, but it could face tougher times ahead if policy changes under Trump.

By Eric Wesoff . 9 January 2025
Energy equity

Community solar expands access to clean energy, new study shows

Peer-reviewed research finds that community solar makes cheap renewable power available to more people, including those who live in rentals and multifamily buildings.

By Alison F. Takemura . 1 July 2024
Solar

Solar is about to get a lot more affordable for low-income households

The EPA’s historic $7 billion Solar for All program will help every state fund solar projects for lower-income residents. In many states, that will be a first.

By Alison F. Takemura . 24 April 2024
Solar

A Boston grocery store is bringing community solar to a low-income area

An 81-kilowatt project on the roof of the Dorchester Food Co-Op will test a community ownership model. New federal climate policies could help make it scalable.

By Sarah Shemkus . 21 March 2024
Solar

Low-income communities will soon get $7 billion for local solar

Per a new analysis of 35 proposed state programs, the historic climate-law funding would benefit more than 700,000 low-income households. Here’s how.

By Alison F. Takemura . 29 February 2024