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El Paso approves subaward to join EPA 'Solar for All' effort to install rooftop systems for low-income households
Summary
City council authorized the city manager to sign a subaward with the Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute to deliver an EPA-funded Solar for All program in El Paso, targeting up to 440 low-income households and 1.4 megawatts of solar capacity; the city will not be required to provide matching funds.
The El Paso City Council on Tuesday authorized the city manager to negotiate and sign a subaward agreement with the Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI) to implement an Environmental Protection AgencySolar for All program in the region.
Fernando Vercano of Strategic & Legislative Affairs told council the grant was awarded to a Harris County-led coalition in 2024 and the city is the implementing partner for the El Paso region. The El Paso subaward covers program administration, workforce development, community outreach and direct financial assistance for residential solar installations.
The proposal calls for installations for about 440 households (a mix of single-family and multifamily units) totaling roughly 1.4 megawatts of solar capacity, with the aim of delivering at least $300 in annual energy savings to each participant. The local program budget is just over $6 million; about 75% of the budget would fund the systems and enabling upgrades (for example, minor roof or electrical work) needed for installations.
Vercano said the program includes a workforce training component: the plan aims to train at least 20 interns in solar installation and certification. The city will partner with community-based organizations for outreach; households must meet income eligibility, generally below 80% of area median income, to participate.
The council vote to approve the subaward authorization was recorded as unanimous. Representative Canales made the motion and Representative Nino seconded it.
Council members asked about selection and vetting of homes and solar contractors, the timeline for rollout, and program equity across council districts. Vercano said the city and TEPRI will finalize the application, eligibility and procurement approach, and that staff will seek an efficient procurement path to avoid delays; staff said deployment aims to begin in fall 2025 and the grant runs through 2029.
The council emphasized outreach to low-income neighborhoods and coordinating with nonprofits to identify eligible households. Vercano said staff will work with community human services and nonprofit partners to reach applicants.
