The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Solar for All program will bring lower energy costs, well-paying jobs, and access to reliable, affordable energy to families across North Carolina. Through this program, eligible customers will be able to receive rebates for solar installations conducted by pre-approved contractors. The EPA selected the EnergizeNC coalition to develop the Solar for All program and administer $156 million in grant funding through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). Led by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (NCDEQ) State Energy Office (SEO), the coalition consists of the NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC), the NC Clean Energy Fund, and Advanced Energy.

Since beginning work on April 22, 2024, the EnergizeNC coalition has conducted several planning and design processes. The EnergizeNC program was designed with a one-year planning phase to consult and engage with stakeholders across North Carolina. The Coalition plans to move from planning to implementation with a launch of the program in late 2025 to begin providing community solar, single-family solar, and multi-family solar programs to households within North Carolina through 2029.

NCCETC has led engagement with solar contractors to gather feedback on the program design for EnergizeNC. A large part of the program is to ensure that established vendors are available to conduct high-quality long-lasting residential solar installations for North Carolinians. In order to work with EnergizeNC participants, solar contractors will need to be certified through the EnergizeNC Vendor Registration Program. Allison Carr, Training & Workforce Program Manager at NCCETC, has held several meetings with solar contractors to discuss and get feedback regarding requirements for consumer protection and quality solar installations. The EnergizeNC coalition is designing eligibility requirements and quality assurance standards to ensure that participating solar contractors will adhere to program standards, adopt best practices, and sign a code of conduct in order to participate in the program. Carr says, “We appreciate getting feedback during the planning phase so we can create programs that ensure consumer protection and quality construction from the start,” adding that the success of EnergizeNC will depend on a network of installers.

These working group meetings are open to all solar contractors, with the expectation that they will have to qualify as registered vendors in order to be eligible to install solar funded by Solar for All. Currently, the Center is in the information gathering phase and welcomes feedback from contractors across the state. So far, solar contractors have given feedback about eligibility requirements and minimum standards for participation in EnergizeNC. Customers of these registered vendors will be able to receive a rebate for either part or all of the cost of their solar installation, which will be subject to geographic standards and income requirements.

Another reason the Center is seeking feedback from contractors is to determine how to manage equipment procurement when it comes to solar modules, arrays, racking, inverters, and other equipment. NCCETC aims to balance the need for structure in this program without making it too complicated. Collaboration with solar vendors and contractors allows the Center to work on program design that will lead to a streamlined process for both customers and installers.

Homeowners that are interested in other aspects of EnergizeNC can visit the coalition website and sign up for updates. The website also includes a section for frequently asked questions and provides more information about program funding. Other businesses and stakeholders may find additional opportunities for participation in EnergizeNC. There will be other Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in the coming months, and there is currently an RFP for legal services available through the Clean Energy Fund.

The Center is still in the planning and information gathering phase of the program design process, and looks forward to providing more updates and opportunities for North Carolinians to get involved.