Austin is moving closer to rolling out millions of dollars in support for community solar projects, secured through a federal award to a coalition of Texas local governments pursuing solar energy improvements.

The big picture

The Texas Solar for All Coalition—the multientity group helmed by Harris County and including Austin—won a nearly quarter-billion dollar Environmental Protection Agency grant last year to "transform access to distributed solar" in communities statewide, according to the EPA.

The federal Solar for All award is meant to spur new solar, battery storage and energy efficiency infrastructure on both single- and multifamily residential properties with financial assistance and other resources.

"Over half the Texans living in disadvantaged communities within the coalition's footprint could be served by our statewide efforts," Harris County officials said in a statement last year.

What happened

Austin leaders moved last fall to accept $31.59 million of the statewide grant, and on Feb. 27 they voted to finalize the city's agreement with Harris County to move forward with the funding and Solar for All initiative.

The local solar improvements will center on providing free solar and batteries to low-income residents in parts of the city deemed to be disadvantaged, largely on the east side. Austin Energy will offer financial and technical assistance to residents interested in such upgrades.

"This is a great partnership that Austin Energy has developed with Harris County on the federal Solar for All program. This is really pathbreaking," council member Mike Siegel said after the vote. "This is a program that will increase our energy independence as a city, it will enhance our resilience and local sustainability, it’s going to advance our renewable energy goals in the generation plan, create jobs, and really has a focus on lifting up economically disadvantaged parts of Austin."

Once the city-county deal is locked in, Austin Energy will "immediately" move to hire three full-time employees to implement the new program, utility spokesperson Matt Mitchell said. He added that more information about the new solar opportunities will be available in the near future through a utility app tool, updates from community ambassadors and engagement meetings to be held this summer.

Zooming out

The solar program update comes amid a period of uncertainty related to local governments' access to federal funding awards.

City officials and staff have been keeping track of impacts tied to the January executive order calling to pause all federal "grant, loan, and other financial assistance programs." While that order has been rescinded and also challenged in court, Austin leaders are still keeping an eye on the process.

"We are closely monitoring discussions around potential modifications to the Inflation Reduction Act, including tax credits that impact solar and other energy programs. Updates will be provided on any changes that could affect project timelines or funding availability," AE General Manager Bob Kahn wrote in a February memo.

Melissa Enaje contributed to this report.