Appalachian Solar Finance Fund

Appalachian Solar Finance Fund

Issuing Organization: Appalachian Voices

Overview: The Appalachian Solar Finance Fund is a project to catalyze commercial and institutional solar projects in coal-impacted communities throughout Central Appalachia.

Focus Areas

• Commercial and institutional solar energy projects
• Economic growth in coal-impacted communities
• Solar development in emerging local markets

Geographic Scope

• Central Appalachia
• Coal-impacted communities across the region
• 184 coal-impacted counties

Funding Structure

• Total Award: $1.5 million awarded to Appalachian Voices by the Appalachian Regional Commission (September 16, 2021)
• Part of larger package: $46.4 million package supporting 57 projects across 184 coal-impacted counties through ARC's POWER Initiative
• Subgrant awards: Select subgrant awards for solar projects on nonprofit and public buildings
• Additional strategies: Investment and credit enhancement strategies; competitive contracts for technical assistance for solar installations on commercial enterprises

Eligible Recipients

• Nonprofit organizations
• Public buildings
• Commercial enterprises

Partners

• Central Appalachian Network
• Partner Community Capital
• Invest Appalachia
• New Resource Solutions
• Appalachian Investment Ecosystem Initiative (additional support)
• Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation (additional support)

Contact

Autumn Long, Appalachian Solar Finance Fund Project Manager email: autumn.long@appvoices.org

Background

The fund deploys targeted financial tools to jumpstart emerging local solar markets and unlock new commercial and institutional solar energy projects that face unique barriers due to region-specific challenges. The resulting solar projects produce employment opportunities, business creation, new investments and wealth retention in Central Appalachian communities directly impacted by the decline in the coal economy.