Energy Poverty

Although scarcely on the societal radar, “energy poverty” is a pervasive social problem affecting over 33 million American households.

On average, low-income households must spend about a fifth of their total income on energy-related expenses, straining already tight budgets.

Struggling families are forced to make the impossible choice between home energy costs and other basic necessities, such as food and medical care. 

Fortunately, families can receive support through public assistance, but a stopgap is not a solution. At the national level, we are hemorrhaging public resources without providing a long-term solution or addressing the root causes of energy poverty.

RREAL has a long-term solution to energy poverty!

Solar Assistance

Since 2000, RREAL has been dedicated to making solar energy accessible to communities of all income levels.

Through our Solar Assistance program, we provide solar arrays for low-income families and communities as a way to serve more people in need and ensure that everyone can have access to safe, clean, and reliable energy. 

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RREAL combats energy poverty by providing solar energy systems for homes, affordable housing projects, and community solar arrays through three Solar Assistance programs. This program has empowered families and communities across the Midwest, U.S., and the world!

Solar with Justice: Strategies for Powering Up Under-Resourced Communities and Growing an Inclusive Solar Market

This report aims to accelerate the implementation of solar in under-resourced communities in ways that provide meaningful, long-lasting benefits to those communities. The recommendations in the report set a path forward for increasing solar deployments that result in significant economic, equity, and environmental improvements.

Testimonials

Projects