solar power

A study led by Sen. Mary Boren (D-Norman) included representatives from the renewable energy industry, a nonprofit and Oklahoma State University.

Texas' Solar for All program was intended to bring solar panels and batteries to low-income neighborhoods and create jobs by training workers to install the technology.

An Evergy spokesperson said solar projects approved by Kansas and Missouri will be generating electricity for customers in time to qualify for existing tax credits.

Federal incentives to lessen the financial burden of solar panel installations are ending earlier than originally planned after the July 4 passage of the tax and spending law.

Several planned projects would have brought solar to communities in the Midwest and Great Plains for the first time. Others would have expanded existing efforts. Now, the projects are on hold after the Environmental Protection Agency abruptly terminated $7 billion in funding.

States, territories, tribal governments, municipalities and nonprofits were set to get $7 billion to develop residential solar installations in low-income communities. The grant program was designed under the Biden administration and recipients were announced in 2024.

Evergy Kansas Central customers will see bills increase about 8.6% to fund the construction of two natural gas plants and a solar plants. Evergy last received a $41 million rate hike in 2023.

National energy data show the country is winding down coal generation and replacing it with renewables.