Sinema Announces $156 Million for Solar in Rural Arizona

As a desert state, Arizona could easily harness solar energy for many of its residents. Thus, the State has recently been approved for $156 million in funds to help develop solar in low-income and disadvantaged communities, which was recently announced by Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) as part of the Inflation Reduction Act's Solar for All (SFA) program.

Specifically, as described by Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ), the grant will "deploy neighborhood-scale solar and provide utility bill credits for thousands of Arizonans renting in multi-family housing. Additionally, over 300 rural households will benefit from solar plus battery systems for their homes, protecting them from electricity service disruption."

Moreover, they estimate Arizona families will save a combined $164 million in energy bills thanks to this system, especially in a time of rising prices and inflation, and provide jobs to many more.

"Solar for All Arizonans is a critical program that will lower energy costs for thousands of Arizonans. In addition to directly providing Arizona families with clean, affordable electricity, Solar for All Arizonans will open new opportunities for our homegrown solar industry, and create good-paying jobs in communities all across the state," said Gov. Hobbs.

In her press release, Sen. Sinema said, "I’m proud to secure these federal investments to ensure Arizonans in rural and underserved communities may benefit from our state’s abundant solar resources."

Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) added, "Arizona has long been a leader in clean energy. And now, thanks to our law, the state’s leadership is being boosted with solar energy projects that will reduce costs for low-income communities, while improving air quality for all Arizonans."