LAGRANGE, GA – June 30, 2025 – Groundswell, a nonprofit that builds community power, has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking experienced solar developers to advance the Southeast Rural Power, Solar for All program. This initiative will bring new community solar and battery storage projects to rural communities across Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Through this initial RFP, Groundswell anticipates supporting the construction of approximately 24 MW AC of residential-serving community solar projects, with individual projects ranging from 500 kW to 5 MW AC. Subsequent RFPs will follow, as the program aims to build upwards of 100 MW AC of solar capacity before program completion. The cumulative set of projects will help cut electricity bills in half for more than 17,000 households while increasing local resilience and supporting local economic development.
“Every single one of these projects showcase rural leadership, strong partnerships with local utilities, and keeping people’s kitchen table priorities at the center of our work,” commented Groundswell CEO Michelle Moore. “Together, they’ll make electricity more affordable for more than 17,000 families across the Southeast and make the grid more resilient for everyone at a time when our region needs every electron we can get.”
The Southeast Rural Power program is funded by a $156 million Solar for All grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, supporting investments that preserve affordable housing, strengthen local energy systems, and keep energy dollars circulating within rural communities.
Interested developers must submit proposals by 5:00 p.m. ET on August 8, 2025. Proposals should include detailed pricing, project timelines, site location specifics, local hiring commitments and other information outlined in the RFP.
Submission Details:
- Issuance Date: June 30, 2025
- Submission Deadline: August 8, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. ET
- Submission Method: Email proposals in PDF format to [email protected]
- Full RFP Details: SERuralPower.org
Developers with questions may email [email protected] for additional information as they conduct due diligence during the proposal period.
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About Groundswell
Groundswell builds community power to improve local resilience for everyone and cut electricity bills in half for our neighbors who need savings the most. We use community solar, resilience hubs, and energy efficiency to preserve affordable housing, strengthen the grid, and support local economic development. Our people-centric and place-based programs are tailored to deliver tangible benefits and align with the local priorities across the Heartland, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast. Groundswell leverages our SolMateTM data platform to enable scale while ensuring measurable success. We’re on track to deliver over $29 million in annual energy savings to more than 36,000 families and deploy more than 40 resilience hubs across 12 states by 2030.
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