What is South Carolina Solar For All (SCSFA)?

SCOR has been awarded grant funding in the amount of $124,440,000 through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Solar for All program. 

This significant investment aligns with SCOR's mission to take action that increases the state's ability to anticipate, absorb, recover, and thrive in the face of environmental change and natural hazards. 

Through the five-year Solar For All grant, SCOR plans to build a program to benefit households and communities across the state. The South Carolina Solar For All program aims to expand investment in and access to solar energy projects, reduce energy bills, enhance community resilience, and provide workforce training opportunities. 

SCOR's Solar For All program will be developed and implemented across four main areas:

Planning Period and Program Timeline

As of December 17, 2024, EPA had approved SCOR's Solar for All workplan and funding. SCOR's Solar for All Planning Period is scheduled to run from December 2024 to December 2025. During the one-year Planning Period, SCOR will engage with state and local government agencies, community organizations, utilities, and other stakeholders to refine the program design and coordinate with related efforts. At the end of the Planning Period, SCOR will submit to EPA the South Carolina Solar for All Implementation Plan. This plan will be used to deploy financial and technical assistance during project implementation (approximately January 2026 to April 2029).

Request for Information (RFI)

SCOR is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to identify developers, installers, and other entities who are interested in the SCSFA Program. SCOR will use the information gathered through this RFI process to develop the parameters of the Solar Innovation Fund Grant Program that is to begin early 2026.

The response deadline to this RFI is July 18th, 5:00 pm EDT. Any questions about this RFI should be forwarded to SolarForAll@scor.sc.gov. Early submission of questions increases the chances of response. Responses to any questions by SCOR will be shared with all RFI respondents. Additional instructions for submitting a response are located within the linked document. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who should respond to the RFI? 

The RFI is intended for organizations with experience developing, installing, and providing operations and maintenance services for solar energy projects, ideally within South Carolina or the Southeast region. 

If I’m not a project developer or installer, may I still submit a response to the RFI? 

Yes, if your organization is not a solar project developer, installer, or administrator, you may provide related information under Question F.1. of the RFI, “Other Considerations.” Please adhere to the instructions provided in the RFI.  

Additional opportunities to provide feedback will occur during Planning Period engagements in Summer to Fall 2025. 

How will SCOR use the information? 

SCOR is looking to identify novel and actionable approaches to developing community solar projects and will use this information for internal, planning purposes. The Information will be used in preparing for stakeholder engagements, scheduled for Summer to Fall 2025, and for developing the Solar Innovation Fund Grant Program, a competitive sub-award program anticipated to begin in early 2026 to deploy Solar for All funds. 

What types of projects are being considered for the SC Solar for All program? 

The SC Solar for All program is focusing on residential-serving community solar projects. Projects must be compliant with South Carolina and federal rules and regulations, as well as EPA Solar for All terms and conditions. 

EPA defines residential-serving community solar as a solar PV power-producing facility or solar energy purchasing program from a power-producing facility, with up to 5 MWac nameplate capacity, that delivers at least 50% of the energy generated by the system to low-income households through a financial benefit. Individual projects may not exceed 5 MW. Qualifying projects may include associated energy storage. 

Potential projects that could be funded through the Solar Innovation fund include but are not limited to: 

• Front-of-meter, utility-administered community solar projects. Households would participate through a community solar subscription. Such projects may include an anchor tenant that owns and also benefits from the solar project.
• Behind-the-meter projects that pass benefits to residential households through a community benefit fund or cooperative ownership model.
• Multi-family housing solar projects.
• Other approaches that meet state and federal requirements. 

Consumer Protection

SCOR is currently not accepting proposals or providing funding for solar projects. Offers of free or discounted solar due to the Solar For All program are likely inaccurate. Please see the solar.sc.gov Consumer Protections page if you have questions or concerns about solar offerings.

Resources

Meaningful Involvement Plan [PDF]

Meaningful Involvement Plan (1-pager) [PDF]

Advisory Committee (1-pager) [PDF]

Request For Information (RFI) | DEADLINE: July 18th, 5:00 pm EDT [PDF]

Sign Up for the SCSFA Mailing List

If you are interested in submitting input or participating in the Planning Period, please join the Solar For All mailing list to receive updates and information about the program. Updates will also be posted to this webpage.   

Procurement

Open Procurement Postings

• Request for Proposals - Engagement Facilitator - SC Solar For All (External Webpage)

Awarded Contracts

 

Procurement Policies

Procurement Law - SC Division of Procurement Services [External Website]