Policies for Achieving Energy Justice in Society: Best Practices for Applying Solar Energy Technologies to Low-Income Housing

Studies indicate that the energy burden — energy costs as a percentage of annual family income — on low-income families is inordinately high, compared to that of the rest of the population. Rising fuel costs exacerbate this problem. Residential solar energy systems can help address this situation by furnishing a price-stable energy source with the added benefit of reduced greenhouse gas emissions. However, without appropriate incentives, these systems are prohibitively expensive for low-income families. Research of ―best practices‖ in low-income housing across the United States has found that federal and state government assistance programs, private funding, and the efforts of nonprofit organizations, when coordinated through effective policy, can provide a wealth of resources to improve energy affordability. Research further indicates that the development, installation, and maintenance of renewable energy technologies such as residential solar energy (including solar hot water, photovoltaic systems, and passive solar design) can create green job opportunities. Thus, policies that encourage the use of solar energy technologies for low-income families have the ability to foster greater energy justice by mitigating unfair energy burdens for vulnerable populations. These types of policies could be implemented in Delaware through the Sustainable Energy Utility and in accordance with existing state energy policies to mitigate climate change, reduce energy burdens, and create new jobs.