For local LIHEAP agencies
Local Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) agencies help households opt in to low-cost community solar subscriptions through the Energy Connector (Connector).
Training and support for local LIHEAP agencies
Local LIHEAP agencies are invited to join the Connector by their state LIHEAP administrator. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) offers free training, outreach materials and ongoing support to local agencies. State LIHEAP administrators can also require per household compensation from community subscription managers to compensate local agencies.
Connecting households with community solar
During LIHEAP enrollment, an income-verified household can opt-in and provide consent to their local LIHEAP agency to have their household information uploaded to the Connector. This can be done manually, with a spreadsheet, or automatically using an Application Programming Interface (API).
When local community solar subscriptions are available, state-approved subscription managers can contact the household. Only one subscription manager at a time can contact the household. The decision to subscribe is up to each household and subscription occurs off the Connector, between the subscription manager and the subscriber household.
There are no upfront fees and households can cancel at any time. When enrolled in community solar, households save at least 20% on their electric bill. The Connector protects household data and does not make lists of households available to commercial entities. If you would like to learn more about consumer and data privacy protections, see the Example agreements page.
Local LIHEAP agency role
1. Receive training
NREL provides free training, educational materials, and support for all Connector users.
2. Create account
Your State LIHEAP agency invites you to use the Connector. You will receive an email to prompt you to create your user account.
3. Identify interested households
During LIHEAP enrollment, provide community solar education to your clients. Identify income-verified households that want to opt-in. The information you collect for LIHEAP is all you need to add households to the Connector.
4. Receive
Upload household data to the Connector.