EPA funding to expand residential solar in Texas

• The $7 billion in nationwide grants will fund residential solar projects for more than 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities.

Context: The Texas grants will be divided among a coalition of urban cities and counties, including Dallas and Tarrant, to help low-income residents access solar power and battery storage.

• The final amounts for municipalities have not been decided, but Tarrant County expects to receive about $7 million, per the Fort Worth Report.

Zoom in: Dallas currently has an education program to help residents weatherize their homes, find energy efficient appliances and install renewable energy sources like solar panels.

• Solar Switch Dallas, for example, organizes bulk buying for homeowners who want to add solar panels. Buying as a group of residents reduces the overall cost.

Meanwhile: Dallas is spending $500,000 next fiscal year to maintain and repair its solar systems on city buildings.

• The city also expects to spend $1.7 million next year on battery storage for renewable energy.