AriSEIA Submits Letter in Support of AZ's $250M Solar for All Grant Proposal

United States Environmental Protection Agency,
Office of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, Solar for All,
Funding Opportunity Number EPA-R-HQ-SFA-23-01

RE: Letter of Support for Arizona’s Solar for All Application

To Whom it May Concern:

The Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA) submits this letter in support of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency’s Solar for All Arizonans application for the maximum amount of $250 million. We were heavily involved in crafting this proposal. It reflects significant stakeholder engagement and the balancing of a myriad of needs within the State. Arizona currently faces numerous political and policy barriers to the implementation of clean energy, including solar, and federal support, such as through this grant, is critically needed. Solar is unique in that it is a zero carbon technology, but is also a tool that anyone can use to help reduce and control their electric bills in a time of what seems like endless rate increases. The programs in this proposal will help advance the clean energy transition in Arizona, while also reducing the energy burden for low income residents.

AriSEIA is a 501(c)(6) organization. We operate statewide to advance policies that support solar, storage, and electrification in Arizona. Our work spans all scales of solar and every level of government. We also regularly engage with our state’s major utilities and strive to promote professionalism in our industry with a commitment to consumer protection.

Importantly for AriSEIA, this proposal will also help stabilize the health of our solar industry, a vital industry to Arizona’s economy. Arizona has more than 350 solar companies that employ more than 8,000 people statewide. Given policy setbacks at the legislature and utility commission, paired with sky high interest rates, our residential solar installations are down nearly 30% and many companies are worried about laying off their employees and closing their doors. This grant will be a much needed lifeline to a sector that is essential for decarbonization.

Through this Solar for All proposal, the Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency seeks to bring a wide variety of stakeholders to the table to deliver on the promises of solar. The proposal is guided by the goal and vision of increased access to solar energy and increased energy affordability for Arizona families. We are committed to supporting and collaborating on this proposal to deliver the benefits of solar to all Arizonans.

Sincerely,
​
/s/ Autumn T. Johnson
Executive Director, AriSEIA
(520) 240-4757
autumn@ariseia.org