A federal judge has ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unlawfully canceled the $7 billion Solar for All program, striking down the agency’s decision to end a nationwide program designed to lower electricity bills and bring affordable solar power to families and communities across the country.
“The court ruled the Trump administration never should have terminated Solar for All because Congress intended it to continue, and EPA broke the law when it killed the program and pocketed the money,” said Nick Torrey, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. “Electricity bills are skyrocketing, so low-cost solar projects — which guarantee big savings — are needed now more than ever. Today’s victory means EPA must stop sitting on the $7 billion in funding for this program and start getting it out into communities to provide hardworking American families much-needed relief.”
In 2024, the EPA awarded $7 billion for the Solar for All program, estimating the program would reach more than 900,000 households, save families $350 million a year on electricity bills (totaling at least $8 billion), and support 200,000 jobs and workforce training opportunities.
In August 2025, the Trump administration abruptly canceled the program before much of that funding could reach communities. CLF, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) and the Lawyers Committee for Rhode Island, filed the lawsuit last October on behalf of workers, businesses, nonprofits and individuals harmed by EPA’s cancelation. Plaintiffs include the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, Rhode Island Center for Justice, Solar United Neighbors, an individual homeowner and solar businesses. Attorneys general from 23 states also sued the EPA for terminating the Solar for All program.
“Today’s ruling confirms what we have argued from the beginning: EPA cannot erase a $7 billion program that Congress created and funded. For more than a year, families and communities have seen higher energy bills while billions of dollars intended to lower electricity costs sat out of reach. Today’s decision makes clear that EPA unlawfully terminated the Solar for All Program,” said Jillian Blanchard, Senior Vice President of Climate Change and Environmental Justice at L4GG.
Judge Mary McElroy, a Trump appointee in Rhode Island, was the one to vacate the EPA’s decision to terminate the program. She determined that the EPA did not have the power to rescind funds that were already awarded.
“EPA awarded 60 grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities primed for residential solar investment”
The point Bill makes is exactly correct. Peter’s point on Solar ROI is very valid for the individual level guy that buys panels and puts them up – to a degree. Heck I recently got 12kw of panels for $1k. ROI of 100% is basically tomorrow. We drive EV’s and been doing solar for decades.
But as soon as you put money in “Tribal governments, municipals, and non profits for low-income” well that money goes poof into the giant bureaucracies that are defined by that statement. Like California high speed rail (estimate $200B, trip to nowhere), and free medical for illegals (4% of state general fund) – empathetic suicide by left socialist policies, and $18b yr deficit. Wake up.
Gov’t pissing away your money – that’s what will happen here..
“She determined that the EPA did not have the power to rescind funds that were already awarded.” Does this mean that only those people already awarded funds will get them or will the program continue until the 7b is spent? Also, how much of it is left? Thank you.
What a ridiculous boondoggle. Spend a fraction of $7B at utility scale and generate more than enough savings to simply write equivalent checks to the participants in the program. Payback for SFA will not be achieved with foreseeable risks of damage, poor maintenance, administrative costs and likely fraud. Perfect example of taxpayer funded lose-lose. Politicians and judges should be mandated to pass basic economics and math. Any businessperson undertaking this kind of project payback / risk would correctly be fired.
Almost right. The ROI on solar is incredibly short, far shorter than any other infrastucture program in tbe history of the United States. Fantastic, excellent gains for everyone involved from providers to consumers to homeowners. So you are correct, the should be quadrupaling the investment in solar, and soon will.
As an installer, how does the “Solar for all” effect my business directly?
If you haven’t heard of it by now, then it doesn’t affect you directly.
Solar for All is a $7 billion competitive grants program administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In April 2024, EPA awarded 60 grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities primed for residential solar investment — enabling millions of low-income households to access solar energy.
This is great but finish the story. Is this official? Can I now sign up a solar contractor and expect to get the 30% tax credit come next April 15th? Is there legislation that still needs to be passed. Inquiring minds want to know. Thank you. Bill
Also, you need to update your Web form to accept URL‘s other than.com. My website is http://www.carleton.company.
The Solar for All program provides grants to local solar projects. It is not the investment tax credit (ITC).