Using Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Funds for Low-Income Solar

Traditionally, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) focused on increasing energy efficiency for low-income households. As solar costs have declined, interest in using WAP funds for low-income solar deployment has increased. A state seeking to integrate solar into WAP must obtain approval from the U.S. Department of Energy to include the technology in its program. This approval process includes demonstrating the effectiveness of solar in generating savings.

This webinar featured two speakers. Joshua Olsen, the Lead Policy Advisor for Technical Operations for the Office of Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy, discussed the federal approval process for using WAP funds for solar. Monisha Shah, an Energy Analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), presented a state-specific tool NREL developed to help demonstrate the effectiveness of solar in generating savings. (See: http://www.nrel.gov/solar/assets/docs/sir.xlsx)

Speakers:

• Joshua Olsen, Lead Policy Advisor for Technical Operations at the Office of Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy
• Monisha Shah, Energy Analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Host: Nate Hausman, Project Director, Clean Energy States Alliance

This webinar was presented by CESA as part of the Sustainable Solar Education Project.