Solar for Savings Grant

Purpose: Solar for Savings is the first MI Healthy Climate Challenge grant competition to fund MI Solar for All pilot projects that reduce energy costs for low-income households, improve resilience, and expand equitable access to solar and storage across Michigan while informing full program deployment. Eligibility: Eligible applicants are public and not-for-profit entities including state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit organizations (except 501(c)(4) entities engaged in lobbying), municipal and cooperative utilities, educational entities (K-12 schools, colleges, universities), and eligible property owners located in Michigan. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply but may partner; individual homeowners are discouraged from applying in this pilot round. Project eligibility: Eligible projects include residential rooftop solar; residential-serving community solar (max 5 MWac); and associated enabling upgrades and energy storage tied to an eligible solar project. Projects must provide an average annual 20% bill reduction (or equivalent) to eligible low-income households, ensure 100% of benefits go to eligible low-income households for rooftop projects or at least 50% for community solar, and meet EPA Solar for All terms and conditions and applicable federal requirements (e.g., Davis-Bacon, BABA, NEPA, and historic preservation). Application process: Applicants complete the online application and submit required materials including the Approved Budget Form, Project Timeline Template, quotes/price estimates as applicable, recent audit or financial statements (A-133 single audit if thresholds are met), and applicable SHPO/NEPA/BABA forms. Selected applicants must register in the State of Michigan SIGMA Vendor Self Service system prior to award. Proposals were reviewed in three rounds (05/30/2025, 06/30/2025, and an extended 09/30/2025 round). Round 3 was later paused following an EPA termination letter. Awards are reimbursement-based subawards under EGLE's federal Solar for All grant.