Solstice and Google are collaborating to launch EnergyScore, an artificial intelligence-based tool aimed at making solar power accessible to moderate-income households.
Currently, around four out of five American households are excluded from solar installations due to eligibility restrictions, home ownership and limited access to financing.
EnergyScore uses utility payment histories and advanced algorithms to provide a more accurate and inclusive measure than traditional credit scores, such as FICO.
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in energy inclusion.
EnergyScore enables solar developers to qualify a greater number of moderate-income households, reducing inequalities in access to clean energy.
Steph Speirs, co-founder of Solstice, says the aim is to make solar energy accessible to everyone, regardless of socio-economic status.
In addition, Google’s data centers are already powered by a solar plant, as in Virginia, where Google is collaborating with AES.
Promising results and future developments
Initial analysis shows that using EnergyScore reduces the default rate by 1.9 percentage points compared to the FICO score, and increases the number of qualified moderate-income households by 14%.
Sandhya Murali, CEO of Solstice, explains that this support from Google.org is essential for the development and large-scale launch of EnergyScore.
The project also includes the launch of a pilot with a financier or residential solar developer to evaluate the effectiveness of EnergyScore.
The aim is to demonstrate concrete impacts for communities traditionally excluded from green financing.
Solstice will begin recruiting pilot partners later this year.
A Commitment to Sustainability
Google is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2030, and to powering its operations with 100% renewable energy.
This collaboration with Solstice reflects this commitment to sustainability and equitable access to clean energy.
Solstice’s project enables American households unable to install solar panels to participate in community solar projects.
These projects offer a solution to support local clean energy at no upfront cost, and reduce electricity bills.
This collaboration between Solstice and Google.org represents a significant step towards a more inclusive and sustainable future, reinforcing their shared commitment to environmental stewardship and equitable access to clean energy.
