Federal Court Rules Cancellation Of Solar For All Program Was Unlawful

A federal judge in Rhode Island has ruled that the EPA broke the law when it cancelled Solar For All, a $7 billion program meant to bring low-cost solar power to lower-income households. The EPA awarded that money in 2024, and the program was expected to reach more than 900,000 households, including many on tribal lands, saving families an estimated $350 million a year on electricity bills. The Trump administration shut the program down in August 2025 before most of the money went out. The judge, appointed by Trump himself, found that Congress meant for the EPA to keep administering the already-committed funds, and that the agency had no legal authority to end the program.

The ruling came after a lawsuit filed by environmental law groups, labor and community organizations, small businesses, and attorneys general from 23 states. Some projects had already gone forward before the cancellation, including the first two Solar For All installations, which brought rooftop solar and battery storage to Chippewa Cree and Oglala Sioux households in Montana and South Dakota. Advocates say the ruling means the EPA now has to release the remaining funds so more communities can get the promised savings.

The decision is likely to be appealed, so the money may not move quickly. If you live in a lower-income household or community that hoped to benefit from Solar For All, this ruling keeps the program legally alive, but it does not guarantee your area will see funding soon. Programs vary by state, so it's worth checking what your state's Solar For All plans included.