Austin Energy details solar programs, $32M Solar For All grant and 9 MW in standard-offer applications

Austin Energy staff briefed the Electric Utility Commission on a portfolio of solar and renewable programs and on a federal grant that the utility plans to use to expand solar access for low‑income customers.

The commission heard that the utility’s suite of customer-facing programs includes the long-running Green Choice subscription (wind), a community solar subscription model (half of current capacity reserved for low‑income subscribers), a new solar standard-offer for commercial hosts, incentives for commercial and multifamily customers and homeowner incentives tied to an education course. Tim Harvey, Austin Energy’s customer renewable solutions manager, told the commission: “The solar standard offer program has gotten off to a really good start. It’s, currently has 20 applications for 9 megawatts.”

The nut of the briefing was Austin Energy’s plan to use federal grant funds to expand access and resilience for low‑income customers and to grow local capacity. Staff emphasized the programs are part of the utility’s role in carrying out the Resource Generation and Climate Protection Plan and in meeting equity and resilience goals.

Austin Energy described program details and near‑term priorities. Highlights include:

- Green Choice: a subscription product in operation since 2001 that sells Green‑e certified wind energy to residential and commercial customers; business options include month‑to‑month,…