en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Boise City Council voted to advance the proposed FY2027 budget to the reading agenda, which includes a $50,000 expenditure for the city's first community solar pilot project. Final approval is scheduled for August 25. This progress comes after more than two years of advocacy by the youth team, staff, and supporters of the Idaho Sierra Club.
"The city committed to developing a community solar project back in 2019, but it never materialized," said Anise Welty, a youth leader on the Idaho Sierra Club's Climate Justice Alliance youth team. She referred to the 2019 Boise Energy Future Plan and the subsequent Climate Action Roadmap, both of which included goals to develop 500 kilowatts of community solar every five years starting in 2025. "We decided to unite the community and urge the city to achieve this goal. We marched at City Hall, painted murals, held events, gathered public input, and communicated with city staff for months. I am very excited that the city is launching this pilot project, and I can't wait to see the results."
The community solar pilot project will be installed on the roof of a city-owned building, using panels donated by a local solar company. The project will result in lower electricity bills for the building over the next 20-plus years. The city will donate $5,000 annually from the saved electricity costs to El-Ada Community Action Partnership to help low-income residents with rising electricity bills. Defined as "community solar," the economic benefits will be shared with residents across the city.
"Community solar allows more community members to benefit from rooftop solar, especially low-income residents who may have difficulty installing solar panels on their own roofs," said Lisa Young, Director of the Idaho Sierra Club. "We are proud to lead this effort to create the first equitable community solar project of its kind in Idaho, and we thank Boise city staff and officials for advancing this process. This pilot project is just the beginning. With rising electricity bills and worsening climate change, we look forward to expanding these efforts in collaboration with the city in the near future."
Under President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," federal tax credits for large-scale solar projects will expire at the end of next year, making the timing of the city's project launch and financial investment important. By installing the project in FY2027, the city can secure a 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) before the credit expires, which municipalities can access through the Direct Pay program.
The Idaho Sierra Club is working with the city of Moscow to develop a similar project in northern Idaho. The organization plans to continue public education and advocacy efforts in Boise and across the state to launch more projects and push for public policy changes favorable to community solar in Idaho.
