The federal government has revoked a $156 million grant intended to help low-income Floridians afford solar panels, dealing a significant blow to environmental and energy initiatives. The grant, awarded to three Florida nonprofits, was meant to provide grants, subsidies, and low-cost financing to households struggling with rising electricity costs.

$156M Solar Grant Revoked

Three Florida nonprofits, including the Solar and Energy Loan Fund, were set to receive federal funding to assist low-income households in paying for solar panel installations. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revoked the $156 million grant, cutting off a critical tool for Floridians looking to reduce their electricity bills and invest in renewable energy. Over 800 applications had already been submitted, with a quarter of them pre-qualified.

Impact on Florida’s Economy and Workforce

Duanne Andrade, executive director of the Solar and Energy Loan Fund, expressed disappointment, highlighting how the cancellation deprives the state of potential job creation and economic benefits. The initiative would have also supported local solar businesses and contractors, helping to create jobs in the solar industry during a time of rising energy costs.

Nonprofits Left in Limbo

The Solar and Energy Loan Fund, Solar United Neighbors, and The Nature Conservancy in Florida applied for the federal grant after learning that Florida was one of the few states that didn’t apply for the funding on its own. The cancellation has left these organizations uncertain about how to proceed with their projects, which aimed to bring affordable solar power to underserved communities.

National Rollback of Solar Programs

The cancellation of this grant is part of a broader national rollback of the Solar For All (SFA) program, which included similar grants in other states. This move follows the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which not only cut funding for these programs but also brought forward the expiration date of the 30% tax credit for homeowners installing rooftop solar panels to the end of this year.

Industry Leaders Respond

Bill Johnson, a Sarasota-based solar company owner and president of the statewide solar lobbying group, condemned the cancellation. He argued that the decision would negatively affect Florida’s energy security and workforce, as solar energy remains a critical part of the state’s efforts to ensure clean, affordable power, especially during storm season.