Solar for All Program

Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), through its EPA Solar for All award, invites applications from federally recognized Tribes and ANCSA regional nonprofit Tribal organizations with service areas on the Alaska Railbelt grid to apply for funding to plan, design, and construct community-owned solar energy facilities. These projects must benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities (LIDAC) Alaska Native and American Indian households.
The program aims to:
– Reduce household energy burdens
– Advance tribal energy sovereignty
– Foster clean energy workforce development

• Application Opens: Monday May 12, 2025
• Submission Deadline: Friday, July 18, 2025, no later than 12 PM Alaska Standard Time (AST).
• Application Review & Scoring: July 2025
• Award Notification Expected By: Friday August 15, 2025
• Award Negotiation Period: August-September 2025
• Project Start Date: October 1, 2025
• Project Completion Date: September 30, 2028

Eligible applicants must:
– Be a federally recognized Tribe or ANCSA regional nonprofit
– Have a service area connected to the Railbelt grid (served by GVEA, MEA, CEA, or HEA)
– Demonstrate organizational capacity or commit to partner with an experienced entity
– Provide 20% minimum household energy savings to enrolled LIDAC AN/AI participants

Applicants must submit:
1. Standard Form SF-424
2. Application Narrative covering:
   – Executive summary
   – Project purpose and community served
   – Scope of work and schedule (tasks, deliverables, milestones)
   – Organization background, key personnel
   – Utility coordination evidence
   – Community benefit plan (LIDAC enrollment, savings methodology)
   – Operations and maintenance plan
   – Budget narrative and justification
3. Budget Tables:
   – Budget by cost category
   – Budget by task
   – Funding summary (requested, leveraged, and gap funding)
4. Pre-Award Risk Assessment Questionnaire
5. Appendix (optional, up to 5 pages): maps, photos, resumes, utility agreements, letters of support

– Site acquisition (lease or ownership)
– Engineering, design, and permitting
– Utility interconnection studies and agreements
– Construction of solar PV arrays (1-4 MW)
– Project management, member enrollment, administrative support

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Scope of Work and Schedule             25 points
• Revenue & Benefit Distribution Plan  20 points
• Workforce Development Plan             20 points
• Budget and Resources                       15 points
• LIDAC Community Impact                  10 points
• Project Readiness                               5 points
• Technical Capacity & Experience       5 points

Bonus Points: Financial Leverage & Match 10% minimum: 15 additional points

Submission Format: PDF only
Email to: jason.paskvan@tananachiefs.org
Subject line: [Tribe Name] – Solar for All Application
File Naming: [TribeName_SFA2025.pdf]

Applicants must:
– Comply with 2 CFR 200 cost principles
– Be subject to Single Audit if expending >$750,000/year in federal funds

Jason Paskvan
Project Manager, Tanana Chiefs Conference
Email: jason.paskvan@tananachiefs.org
Phone: 907-452-8251 ext. 2062

EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
LIDAC: Low-Income Disadvantaged Community
TCC: Tanana Chiefs Conference
SFA: Solar for All
SF-424: Standard Form 424: Application for Assistance
UEI: Unique Entity Identifier
SAM: System for Award Management
CFR: Code of Federal Regulations

Scope of Work and Schedule
Assesses the clarity, feasibility, and completeness of the project plan, including tasks, deliverables, key milestones, and timeline.

Revenue & Benefit Distribution Plan
Evaluates how the project will generate and distribute financial or energy benefits to enrolled Tribal households, including mechanisms for transparency, equity, and long-term sustainability.

Budget and Resources
Considers the accuracy and realism of the proposed budget, justification of costs, and the appropriateness of resources allocated to each task.

Project Readiness
Measures how prepared the applicant is to begin implementation, including utility coordination, site control, permitting status, and procurement plans.

Technical Capacity & Experience
Reviews the applicant’s qualifications, past performance, and partnerships that demonstrate capability to deliver the project.

LIDAC Community Impact
Assesses the expected energy cost savings, reach, and alignment with Justice40 goals in low-income and disadvantaged Alaska Native and American Indian communities.

Workforce Development Plan
Evaluates plans for local hiring, job training, and long-term employment opportunities for Tribal members in renewable energy fields.

Bonus: Financial Leverage & Match (≥10%)
Recognizes projects that bring non-federal cost-share, in-kind support, or leverage private or philanthropic investment.