Greetings!
It has been quite a while since we have provided a program update, and a lot has happened since our last update message. Below we share:
- MI Solar for All staff onboarded in June 2025,
- MI Solar for All termination notice,
- Solar for Savings: MI Solar for All Pilots Request for Proposals (RFP),
- Round 1 and 2 Solar for Savings: MI Solar for All Pilots
- Pause on Round 3
- Behind-the-meter solar and storage study update, and
- Our gratitude to you.
Belated Welcome to New MI Solar for All Staff
The MI Solar for All team belatedly welcomes Amber Place and Nick Dobkowski to the team. Both joined in June 2025.
Amber Place is the engineer for the MI Solar for All program. Amber joins us from the Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
Nick Dobkowski is the program analyst for the MI Solar for All program. Nick comes from non-profit work focused on improving the experience of income qualified customers.
MI Solar for All Termination Notice
The MI Solar for All program received a termination letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The letter was dated August 7, 2025, but due to transmission issues, it was not received by EGLE until days later. MI Solar for All and EGLE are currently working with Michigan’s Attorney General on the next steps. In response, EGLE Director Roos released a statement on the matter on August 12, 2025. MI Solar for All staff will focus on the next steps regarding the termination notice. Many program activities, such as engagement with low-income communities, will be paused during this time.
Solar for Savings: MI Solar for All Pilots RFP updates
Round 1 and Round 2 Pilot Awardees Announced in July and Early August
Round 1 and 2 awardees of the MI Healthy Climate Challenge Solar for Savings: MI Solar for All Pilots funding opportunity were announced in July and early August. A total of 13 pilot projects were selected for an award, with over $13 million in anticipated funding. See press releases detailing the selected projects to learn more: Round 1 and Round 2.
Round 3 Solar for Savings Requests for Proposals Paused
Acceptance of Round 3 submissions for the Solar for Savings RFP, originally with a September 30, 2025, deadline, is paused due to receipt of the termination letter, and while the program works with Michigan’s Attorney General on next steps. Feedback on Round 2 applications that were not selected for an award will also be paused during this time. Should MI Solar for All program activities resume, we may extend the Round 3 deadline accordingly.
Behind-the-Meter Solar and Storage Study Update
The Georgia Institute of Technology researchers are conducting a behind-the-meter solar and storage optimization study, which we shared in earlier messages. This work is funded by the Great Plains Institute and is separate from the MI Solar for All program.
The research team is ready to present their study results and take input. Any interested parties or stakeholders are welcome to join.
The meeting information is below:
GTech Behind-the-Meter Solar and Storage Optimization Project
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
10-11 AM Eastern
Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
Join by phone: +1 248-509-0316, 775553765#
Please note, no questions about MI Solar for All will be entertained during the meeting.
Our Gratitude to You
Many thanks to those of you that have sent well wishes and words of support as the program navigates the next steps. They are much appreciated.
It has been a great honor engaging with you all as we designed the MI Solar for All program and selected Round 1 and Round 2 pilots. Your thoughtful comments shared your passion and desire to help low-income Michiganders and their communities. Though our work is now on pause, we were working diligently to reflect your comments in designing an effective program that would bring savings to over 16,000 low-income Michigan families.
We hope to weather this situation so the program may help get to the important part of getting savings to low-income families and communities throughout Michigan!
Thank you for your interest in the MI Solar for All program, your shared passion on the importance of this work, and your time supporting the program in the past and currently! If you have not already, we encourage you to subscribe to the MI Solar for All Program listserv to receive any program updates. In the meantime, we wish you all well and will provide updates when we are able.
Best regards,
MI Solar for All Team
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