Exploring benefits and affordability of clean energy technologies in urban disadvantaged communities – A case study

The urgency of addressing climate change has led the Biden administration to set ambitious goals for carbon-free electricity and net-zero emissions that necessitate collective action across the United States. One fundamental strategy is deploying energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable technologies in the buildings sector, which accounts for 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional top-down deployment and market transformation approaches, which focus on generalized solutions, have struggled to reach low-income, underserved communities, posing a significant challenge to meeting the climate targets. Various programs and legislation aim to address financial barriers, (e.g., Weatherization Assistance Program, Inflation Reduction Act, etc.). However, other complex equity challenges may be preventing underserved communities from adopting clean energy technologies. This paper presents a case study of an urban disadvantaged community in northeast Houston, Texas, illustrating the community-specific benefits, first cost coverage of funding programs, and application burdens of accessing clean energy technologies (e.g., heat pumps, solar, energy storage, etc.). The findings not only reveal the appeal of clean energy technologies to urban disadvantaged communities, but also the alignment of current program assistance policies with decarbonization goals and community needs. The case study also provides a framework for researchers to gather critical information for engaging community-based organizations.