Editor's note: Georgia BRIGHT contacted The Cool Down to say it had been told by the Environmental Protection Agency that the Solar for All funding as covered by this article had been terminated. What follows is a statement from Georgia BRIGHT Director Alicia Brown.
"The current administration has sent notices terminating the federal Solar for All Program, effective August 7, 2025. We are deeply disappointed and fully prepared to use every avenue legally available to us to regain access to the funds. In taking this action, the EPA would prevent 16,000 Georgians with low incomes from saving hundreds of dollars per year on their utility bills at a time of soaring energy costs, and they are putting at risk hundreds of good-paying, local jobs just as unemployment has begun to rise.
"Should the program be restored, we look forward to continuing our first Solar for All product, a No-Cost Solar Plan for low-income Georgians, and launching our three remaining programs that will directly benefit Georgia families and small businesses. Within the first 72 hours of our August 4 launch, nearly 1,000 families, covering 70+ percent of counties statewide, signed up to participate.
"When we applied for this funding, we did so on behalf of all Georgians. We will fight for this program because the rule of law matters and because Georgia families, small businesses, and the local economy can't afford to lose the benefits we are poised to deliver."
Below is the original article for posterity.
Government officials in Georgia have announced a $156 million program that provides free rooftop solar panels, making it easy for homeowners to save on energy bills.
According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, leaders launched a "Solar for All" program earlier this month that allows lower-income homeowners to receive free panels, including installation fees. The initiative is part of a $7 billion fund to expand solar power across the U.S.
Georgia BRIGHT is led by the nonprofit Capital Good Fund, in partnership with several cities and other nonprofits. The program is open to Georgia residents who own a home, have a roof that faces the sun, earn less than 80% of the area's median income, and are no more than 60 days behind on their mortgage.
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The Solar for All program expects to select around 450 homeowners to participate, and a second drawing will be held next spring. For a home that gets a lot of sun, solar panels can reduce electricity bills substantially, but they normally cost over $10,000 to install. But through BRIGHT, selected homes will receive a free system courtesy of a fully prepaid lease.
Most participants can expect to save anywhere between 50% and 70% on electricity bills with the new system. One resident said her power bill for July was under $20, which is down a whopping 86% from last year.
"I'm really excited about that because it aligns with my faith and it brings joy to my life," Christine DiFeliciantonio said.
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"This isn't just a program for big cities or just people in the know," Alicia Brown, Georgia BRIGHT's director, said. "It is a program for all Georgians."
In the next several months, BRIGHT said it plans to expand the program into new areas so more Georgians can take advantage of free sun-powered energy. If you want to apply, make sure to fill out your application by Sept. 7. It's worth noting, however, that the program is at risk because the Environmental Protection Agency is attempting to take back the $7 billion that funded it, so keep tabs on this if you're planning to apply.
Whether you live in Georgia or elsewhere and can't access the program, EnergySage is a great option because it allows you to save up to $10,000 on installations. It also has a free mapping tool that shows you on a state-by-state level the average cost of a system, along with details on incentives for each state. This will help you get the best deal on a solar system available to you.
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But if you want to cash in on federal incentives, make sure to do so soon, as Congress is eliminating solar tax credits by the end of the year.
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