Georgia Bright, a non-profit coalition spearheaded by the Rhode Island-based Capital Good Fund, has launched a groundbreaking "No-Cost Solar Plan" designed to provide fully prepaid rooftop solar installations to over 800 eligible low-income households across Georgia. This initiative, a flagship program for Georgia Bright, aims to eliminate all financial barriers to solar adoption, offering systems at "no cost, ever" to participating homeowners.

The program operates through fully prepaid leases owned by Capital Good Fund, ensuring homeowners incur no upfront, monthly, or maintenance costs. At the conclusion of the lease term, system ownership will transfer directly to the homeowner. A notable aspect of the qualification process is the absence of a credit score requirement, broadening accessibility for a wider demographic. Design and installation are managed through a monitored network of contractors, ensuring quality and reliability.

Eligibility for the program is set for homeowners earning no more than 80% of their county's median income or 200% of the federal poverty level, adjusted for household size. Additionally, applicants must be current on their mortgage and property taxes and possess a roof or yard with sufficient sunlight, typically between 300 to 500 square feet. For instance, a single-occupant household in Fulton County, Atlanta, would qualify with an annual income below $63,950.

Funding for this ambitious program stems from a substantial $156 million federal grant awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Biden administration's $7 billion "Solar for All" initiative. This federal program is specifically designed to support solar projects in lower-income communities and foster solar workforce development.

The initial phase of the program will select approximately 400 applicants via a random drawing in September 2024, with a second drawing for an additional 400 systems scheduled for spring 2026. Interested households have until September 7, 2024, to register for the first drawing.

Georgia Bright's foundation was built on two pilot programs that successfully demonstrated the scalability and sustainability of equitable solar solutions. Christine Difeliciantonio, a participant in one of these pilots, shared her experience at the program's launch event, noting her 1958 home's solar panels became operational in May. She reported a significant reduction in her power bill, from $224 in June 2024 to an estimated $50 in June 2025, highlighting both financial savings and enhanced energy security during severe weather events.

The "No-Cost Solar Plan" is the first of four planned programs by Georgia Bright. Future initiatives include the Residential Solar Savings Plan (September 2025), offering leased panels with guaranteed day-one savings; the Community Benefit Solar Plan (early 2026), providing installations for businesses that share savings with their communities; and the Utility-Led Community Solar Plan (2026), which will grant funds to local utilities for shared solar programs targeting low-income households. Capital Good Fund, established in 2009, has a track record of financing over 16,000 loans totaling more than $52 million across 11 states, focusing on financial services to address poverty and environmental injustice.