Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Solar for All

Project SunBridge

On April 22, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) with a $62.45 million grant under its Solar for All initiative, including $400,000 of in kind services from EPA in the form of technical assistance.

This competitive grant program through the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is aimed at expanding solar energy investment in "low-income and disadvantaged communities," as defined by the EPA. The grant competition is funded by President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda as part of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Connecticut’s grant application was led by DEEP in close collaboration with the Connecticut Green Bank, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Connecticut Department of Housing, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, and others, making up the Connecticut Consortium. The consortium’s application is called, “Project SunBridge: Connecting Communities to a Solar Future.”

Project SunBridge will reach thousands of households, with a priority focus on multi-family affordable housing units. The project is designed to overcome current barriers for low-income and disadvantaged communities to access solar and storage energy technologies through a combination of financial and technical assistance.

Through greater access to distributed solar and storage installations, Project SunBridge aims to achieve a minimum household energy savings of 20% for all participants, and will further help Connecticut’s goal of a zero-carbon electric sector by 2040, as established by Public Act 22-5.

How will these funds be deployed?

DEEP expects to flow much of the funding through existing incentive programs in Connecticut such as the Residential Renewable Energy Solutions and Energy Storage Solutions programs, in a way that furthers their reach and impact. This funding is only available to low-income residents and will focus on expanding access to solar for multifamily affordable housing.

If you are interested in solar and storage for your home, existing programs include the Residential Renewable Energy Solutions Program, the Energy Storage Solutions Program, and offerings from the Connecticut Green Bank, including Smart-E residential loans. 

How can I get involved?

DEEP seeks stakeholder input into the development of an equitable and inclusive program design. Everyone is welcome to attend the public Project Sunbridge kick-off meeting and provide written comments in response to the Request for Information!

On July 22, 2024, DEEP issued a Notice of Public Meeting and Request for Information.  Please view the Notice for more details. 

KICK-OFF MEETING

DEEP will hold its first public Project SunBridge kick-off meeting, in a hybrid in-person and remote format, on August 12, 2024, at 10:00 AM. The meeting will include an overview of the Solar for All award, DEEP's Project SunBridge application, and existing energy affordability offerings, as well as multiple opportunities for discussion and public comment. A detailed agenda will be released ahead of the meeting. 

  • Remote participants: Register for the August 12th meeting HERE.
  • In person attendees: The meeting will be held at 10 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051, in Hearing Room 2.  A check-in with security at the front desk is required; please have a valid driver's license or state-issued photo identification card available. Advanced registration is not required.  Details on the parking garage and public entrance to the DEEP building can be found HERE.

DEEP is also accepting proposals for stakeholder presentations for the kick-off meeting.  Detailed instructions for submitting presentations can be found on pages 4 and 5 of the Notice.

  • The deadline for stakeholder presentation proposals is: July 29, 2024, at 4:00 PM.

WRITTEN COMMENTS

More details on the funding timeline, Project SunBridge application, upcoming opportunities for community and stakeholder engagement, and questions for stakeholders and community members can be found in the Notice of Public Meeting and Request for Information.

  • The deadline for written comments is: August 27, 2024, at 4:00 PM.

This page will be updated regularly to provide information on additional engagement opportunities. 

If you would like to stay updated about these engagement opportunities, please email DEEP.EnergyBureau@ct.gov to be added to our Project SunBridge email distribution list.