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The city of Madison has launched a new program designed to help low-income residents share in the benefits of solar energy.

Modeled after an existing program designed to help Madison residents install solar panels, the Backyard Solar grants are intended to bring solar to neighborhoods that may have been left out of the solar boom, said Heather Allen, program director for Renew Wisconsin, which administers the MadiSUN programs for the city.

Grants will be available to community organizations and housing developers through a competitive process and will fund up to one-fifth of a project’s cost.

The city has reserved $10,000 for grants in 2019, but there is a resolution circulating among council members to add another $30,000.

Allen said applications will be reviewed starting in August.

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said investing in clean energy is good for all Madison residents and the program will help promote equity, address climate change and improve access to affordable housing.