Georgia BRIGHT is just weeks away from launching the first of several initiatives using obligated funding from the federal Solar for All program. Starting August 4, qualifying Georgia homeowners with an income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for their county and household size will be able to enter a drawing to receive one of approximately 400 fully prepaid solar leases with no upfront, monthly, or ongoing maintenance costs. A second drawing for 400 more systems will be held in the spring of 2026.
“The No-Cost Solar Plan delivers on Solar for All’s goal of making solar energy available to all households, especially those in underserved communities,” said Georgia BRIGHT Director Alicia Brown. “At a time when everything is getting more expensive, this program will deliver significant savings to the households that need it most.” In most cases, participants in this program will save between 50% and 70% on their electricity bill.
On Earth Day 2024, The Georgia BRIGHT Communities Coalition, including lead applicant Capital Good Fund, along with coalition member cities, Atlanta, Savannah, and Decatur and dozens of other Georgia stakeholders, was allocated $156 million from Solar for All to bring solar to thousands of households statewide between summer 2025 and mid-2029.
Other Georgia BRIGHT Solar for All programs are also in the works. Later this summer, Georgia BRIGHT will launch a second residential initiative, the Residential Solar Savings Plan. Qualifying households will receive custom solar installations at no upfront cost, with low monthly payments that guarantee day-one savings of at least 20%, net of monthly payments. Like the No-Cost Solar Plan, the residential lease includes all maintenance as well as the option for battery storage to ensure resilience against severe weather.
Next, Community Benefit Solar will provide a pathway for commercial properties like businesses, houses of worship, and apartment buildings to go solar, if they agree to share the financial benefits (i.e. grocery gift cards, utility assistance, discounted daycare, rental assistance, and more) generated with eligible community members for five years through. Lastly, Utility-Led Community Solar will provide grants to local utilities to offer shared solar programs to low-income households.
In addition to funding solar projects, the Solar for All funding will support programming like community outreach and education, workforce development, and “enabling upgrades,” or repairs needed before a home or commercial property can install solar.
Along with community partners, Georgia BRIGHT will host a press conference celebrating the launch of Solar for All at Trees Atlanta on August 4, 2025. Trees Atlanta is a community benefit participant of the previously launched Georgia BRIGHT commercial pilot program. For more information on eligibility and the process for the No-Cost Solar Plan, please visit the Georgia BRIGHT website. Those interested in receiving updates on Solar For All in Georgia can sign up via the interest form.
