The Alaska Energy Authority has received formal notice from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stating that the Solar for All program has been terminated nationwide. In 2024, AEA was successful in securing a grant award of $62.5 million under this competitive program. Importantly, the grant did not require a state match, and no state funds were committed to the initiative.
Under the State of Alaska’s Solar for All grant, AEA partnered with the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to expand access to solar energy across the state. Leveraging the agencies' expertise and efficiencies, AEA was tasked with developing community-scale solar photovoltaic projects in remote areas, while AHFC planned to deliver residential solar installations to underserved households.
AEA remains committed to ensuring safe, reliable and affordable access to energy for all Alaskans. We will continue to evaluate opportunities that support energy development throughout Alaska and will share updates as more information becomes available.
Solar technology is rapidly changing with less expensive panels, higher efficiency panels, more sophisticated inverters, and micro-inverters. There continues to be growing interest in solar installations ranging from on and off-grid residential to utility scale. The Alaska Energy Authority provides solar energy information, references, resources, and technical assistance, and shares information about solar project issues like microgrid phase imbalance. AEA also coordinates the Solar Working Group. Sign up here to receive updates, resources, and meeting information from the group.
Solar electric projects convert the energy from the sun's rays into electricity to feed the building unit or the grid to which it is connected. Solar panels are used to collect the radiant wavelength energy of the sun. A converter is then used to change the energy into electricity that can be transfered into a grid.
Solar thermal projects involve the use of solar energy for heating purposes. Typically, pipes are arranged such that a cluster of piping passes through a solar panel. Radiant energy from the sun increases the temperature within that section of pipes and that heat spreads throughout the piped loop.