NRECA gets $1M grant from DOE for solar energy research
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) received a $1 million award from the Department of Energy (DOE) for research on how to make solar energy more accessible for low- and moderate-income (LMI) consumers.
The funding will support NRECA’s program called Achieving Cooperative Community Equitable Solar Sources (ACCESS). The three-year ACCESS program researches financing mechanisms, program designs, and engagement strategies to equip electric cooperatives with the tools to develop solar projects to benefit LMI consumers.
“Solar energy is an integral part of the electric cooperative fuel mix, but it remains out of reach for many low-income consumers,” Jim Spiers, senior vice president of Business and Technology Strategies at NRECA, said. “We’re excited to work towards solutions that address this challenge, particularly because electric co-ops often serve higher percentages of LMI consumers, including 92 percent of the nation’s persistent poverty counties. The ACCESS program will leverage the experience gained through innovative cooperative initiatives to make solar energy accessible to LMI consumers.”
Six electric co-ops will participate in the program, including Anza Electric Cooperative’s SunAnza; Oklahoma Electric Cooperative; Orcas Power & Light; and Roanoke Electric Cooperative’s SolarShare. Also, BARC Electric Cooperative and Kit Carson Electric Cooperative have joined the ACCESS project and will identify and launch their initiatives in the coming months.
Several organizations support NRECA and the six co-ops, including National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) and CoBank; and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
NRECA is the national trade association representing nearly 900 local electric cooperatives.
