MI Solar Access

Purpose: EGLE's Energy Unit offers grants through the MI Solar Access program to remove community roadblocks to clean energy access by expanding community shared solar and supporting MI Solarize group-buys, helping households reduce electricity use, energy burden, and improve climate resilience. The program partners local utilities, weatherization providers, and organizations to deliver bill credits from shared solar and energy efficiency upgrades, with a focus on equity and low-income households. Project eligibility: Activities may include designing MI Solarize or MI Community Shared Solar programs; entering agreements with municipal or cooperative utilities for community solar subscriptions; identifying, enrolling, and weatherizing income-qualified households; marketing and education; delivering on-bill solar credits; energy data tracking; procuring developer/legal/technical support; installing solar PV and energy storage on or in existing buildings; and implementing related financial incentive or savings programs. Projects larger than 60 kW DC must meet NEPA requirements; impacted facilities must be occupied and intended for long-term use. Eligibility and priorities: Applicants must be a municipal or cooperative utility, local or tribal government, nonprofit, or small- to medium-sized business located in or serving a municipal or cooperative utility territory. At least 85%-100% of funds must benefit households at or below 200% FPL; projects should advance energy efficiency, equity, environmental justice, and MI Healthy Climate Plan goals. Application process: Applicants submit an online application with an Approved Budget Form and, if claiming indirect costs, a Certificate of Indirect Costs. Proposals were accepted on a rolling basis until funds were expended or by 5:00 p.m. EST on 03/31/2025. EGLE may request clarifications and will score proposals on scope and objectives, feasibility, impact, team experience, program priorities, diversity/equity/inclusion, and environmental justice. Awards are reimbursement-based and require a minimum 50% match. Grant period ends 08/31/2025, with last payment requests due in late August 2025.