Updates to its guidance on the treatment of financial benefits from participation in community solar energy programs should make it easier for public housing authorities and owners of properties participating in the agency’s multifamily assisted housing programs to understand and implement solar program policies, the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) stated.
“At a time when people are struggling to make ends meet, all while dealing with the existential threat of climate change, President [Joe] Biden’s Investing in America agenda is making solar programs a reality for low-income and working families that need it most,” HUD Director Marcia Fudge said in a release. “This updated guidance is reinforcing that all communities deserve to participate in America’s growing clean energy economy. Under this guidance, HUD will help more communities build a healthier and cleaner future for all.”
Specifically, the new guidance consolidates multiple previously issued policy statements, along with current guidance for solar-supporting HUD programs. These include the new community solar credits in master meter building guidance for public housing authorities, which augments existing Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) guidance in PIH Notice-2022-34-Rate Reduction Incentive Guidance, Treatment of Community Solar Credits on Tenant Utility Bills; PIH Notice 2022-32-Small Rural Frozen Rolling Base Guidance; PIH Notice 2011-3-Energy Performance Contract Guidance; and the new housing notice 2023-09 for multifamily assisted housing property owners.
The guidance covers programs through which residents benefit from electricity generated by solar panels at either an off-site array or an on-site solar facility. The recent updates are for clarity and consistency, with expanded guidance on using solar credits for buildings with master metered utility accounts, and explicitly states it applies to properties with rooftop/on-site solar facilities that participate in HUD’s multifamily assisted housing programs.
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