Homeowner’s Guide to Low-Income Solar Programs in 2025

Electric bill savings is one of the main advantages of switching to solar power, but the high upfront cost of a solar installation tends to be a barrier for many American families.

Even though there are financing options and solar incentives available to help with costs, rooftop solar is still just out of reach for lower-income homeowners. According to our 2025 Solar Industry Survey, none of our respondent's customer base reported an annual income below $50,000.

A key to expanding the solar and renewable energy industry is reaching low-income households. In this guide, we’ll be sharing some of the largest low-income solar programs existing in the U.S. today.

Overview of low-income solar programs in the U.S.

Disadvantaged Communities – Single Family Solar Homes Program of California (DAC-SASH)

California has one of the largest solar markets in the nation. To expand that even further, the state's DAC-SASH program subsidizes the installation of solar panels for low-income single-family homes located in disadvantaged communities. This program is administered by GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit organization. 

This state program provides $8.5 million annually in solar incentives to help homeowners in these communities go solar through 2030. Qualifying households must meet income requirements and be located in a Disadvantaged Community outlined by the CalEnviroScreen tool. Additional criteria can be found in the program handbook. 

Solar For All programs

 Multiple states across the country have their own “Solar For All” programs that cater to moderate-to-low-income and disadvantaged applicants. These programs were made possible by the Biden Administration’s “Solar For All” funding, which allowed existing SFA programs to expand, and new ones to be created!

As of right now, Illinois, New York, Washington D.C., and Colorado each have their own Solar For All programs that all fundamentally work the same way: eligible applicants can ‘subscribe’ to a community solar project virtually for free, gaining access to electric bill savings and clean energy – a win-win! 

These programs also offer options to install solar PV systems for qualified non-profit or public facilities within the state.

Colorado Solar For All (COS4A) is still in the final stages of development, and the program’s first phase is expected to launch in 2025. 

Solar Access for Nationwide Affordable Housing (SANAH)

Along with assisting California’s DAC-SASH program, GRID Alternatives is also launching a nationwide program with the help of funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This program, nicknamed SANAH, will use grants and incentives to provide families living in affordable housing access to solar energy. 

Through SANAH, equitable access to reduced energy costs will be provided to about 37,000 affordable housing renters and homeowners through single-family, multi-family, and community solar and energy storage installations on a limited basis. By partnering with different nationwide housing non-profits, families and housing property owners can connect with representatives for program guidance. 

SANAH is currently in its final stages of development and is slated to launch on May 1st, 2025.

Massachusetts Solar Renewable Target Program (SMART) 

The Massachusetts SMART Program incentivizes the installation of photovoltaic solar panels by paying owners an incentive rate for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar electricity produced. Income-eligible homeowners can earn a higher incentive rate, providing even bigger energy bill savings. 

Oregon Solar Within Reach Program

Residential customers served by Portland General Electric (PGE) or Pacific Power in Oregon have access to the Solar Within Reach incentive program provided by the EnergyTrust of Oregon. Income-qualified homeowners can get cash incentives per watt of solar installed. 

As of 2025, PGE customers can get $1.10 per watt of solar installed up to $6,600 and $900 per kWh of battery storage up to $11,700. For Pacific Power customers, eligible homeowners can get $0.90 per watt of solar installed up to $5,400 and $750 per kWh of battery storage installed up to $9,000.

What is “Solar For All?”

In 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration celebrated by announcing that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allotted $7 billion in funding for creating and expanding low-income solar programs across the country.

The funding was distributed among 60 chosen awardees under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, with the intention of bringing solar energy access to over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The full list of awardees can be found on the EPA website, with many programs nearing completion this year.

Under the new Trump administration, the future of Solar For All was put to a halt when the new administration put a freeze on federal funding. As many programs scrambled to access funds, the future of the program was uncertain. As of March 2025, the $7 billion in funds have been unfrozen, and new and existing solar programs should be able to resume as planned. 

Are solar programs worth it?

Home solar can have the most significant positive impact on low-income families, with energy bills accounting for nearly a significant portion of their annual income. However, the high initial cost for a solar installation is a major obstacle for those in the low-income bracket.

The reality is that many households don’t have the funds to purchase solar and might not qualify for or be able to afford traditional solar financing. The expansion of solar across America will largely involve reaching low-income communities and households. 

Solar incentives and rebates are out there, but sometimes, it’s just not enough. It’s important to create programs specifically targeting low-income groups – who could benefit the most from energy savings.

Low-income solar programs benefit everyone. It encourages a robust workforce and job creation, provides energy bill savings to those in need, and is a step towards a greener future.