Harris County launches $88M solar program for low-income homes

Harris County's new community solar program could cut electricity bills by about $930 a year for up to 10,000 low-income households, including families in the Spring area.

County leaders broke ground Wednesday, Sept. 30, on the first of seven solar sites at Reliant Center, launching the Affordable Community Energy Program (ACE). Commissioners Court approved the $88.3 million investment on March 19 in a 3-1 vote, with Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey casting the lone dissent, Community Impact reported.

ACE is the region's first county-led community solar program, according to Community Impact's coverage of the groundbreaking. The program will generate up to 45 megawatts of solar energy and 20 megawatt-hours of battery storage on publicly owned land.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, whose district includes Spring, spoke at the ceremony.

"This is Harris County creating solar energy to make sure that those who are most vulnerable, at or below 80% of the area median income, will be able to get direct savings on their energy bills," Briones said.

How it works

Enrolled households will not need rooftop panels. The county installs solar arrays at its seven sites, sells the generated power into the retail electric market and passes savings back as credits on participants' monthly electricity bills. Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia said the program could save qualifying households about $930 a year, a roughly 20% reduction.

Both renters and homeowners can participate. To qualify, a household must earn at or below 80% of the area median income. There is no cost to enroll and no hidden fees, according to the ACE program website.

Funding and timeline

The $88.3 million comes from Harris County's Capital Improvement Program fund, plus $5.6 million in commercial paper financing. The county expects a federal Investment Tax Credit reimbursement of about 40% of the total project cost, roughly $36 million.

Construction at the Reliant Center site is expected to wrap up in 2027. The remaining six sites are scheduled for completion through 2029, with all projects in service by summer 2030. Resident enrollment is expected to open in 2027, though no specific date has been set.

Federal court win adds momentum

The groundbreaking came days after a federal judge ruled Sept. 22 that the EPA illegally terminated $7 billion in Solar for All grants nationwide. The Trump administration had attempted to cancel the grants, which included $54 million earmarked for Harris County, according to a news release from the Harris County Attorney's Office.

In the statement, Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin said her office will continue working to recover those federal dollars. Whether the EPA has restored the $54 million to Harris County is not confirmed in public records as of the groundbreaking.