The U.S.’ 6 million affordable-housing tenants and 22 million low-income households spend a larger share of their income on electricity bills than any other sectors of the population. They want to participate in clean energy initiatives, but their choices are limited. The White House recently launched Clean Energy Savings for All, an initiative to bring 1 GW of solar power to low- and moderate-income households. Imagine what this could do if states follow with their own sets of options for these customers. It would bring us closer to a clean energy economy that benefits all sectors of society and has a tangible environmental impact.

State and local actions need federal policies to back them up. Effective, targeted approaches, such as the recently extended solar tax credit, stimulate the market. We need more of those types of investments and sustained actions to protect customers, reduce pollution, and generate energy and cost savings.

The advancement of energy management solutions and the plummeting cost of renewable energy are helping make this transition possible. States throughout the U.S. are setting aggressive, yet achievable, climate and energy targets - with some, such as New York and California, pledging to reduce emissions by 40% or more by 2030.

The development of large-scale renewable energy resources, including solar and wind, will be a significant driver to achieving climate and energy goals. But these are only part of the solution. Establishing an environment in which homeowners can pursue solar options to address their own electricity needs will also be an important factor - so much so that some states have established explicit targets for residential solar installations. New York looks to add more than 3 GW of installed solar capacity by 2023, and California is already generating nearly 4 GW of solar to complement its 50% renewable portfolio standard.

Targets are important signals, but we also need to revise outdated regulations, open markets for innovation, and create programs to help residents become active participants in states’ efforts to boost clean energy and curb climate change. For many homeowners, good credit and a roof are basic conditions to do so. What about renters, apartment dwellers, people with less-than-spotless credit histories and rural communities? They stand to benefit the most from solar, but have fewer options.

Studies have shown that low-income communities often bear the brunt of pollution and desire clean, affordable energy in their neighborhoods. Enabling low-income solar participation requires policies and programs that are specifically designed to address the unique physical, economic and social barriers faced by these communities. And the need is strong.

Some estimates suggest the market opportunity is over $45 billion. Driving investment through innovative clean energy financing tools like utility on-bill financing and property-assessed clean energy, or PACE, can help funnel much-needed capital to finance rooftop solar and energy-saving measures. States like Colorado and Minnesota are aggressively pushing community solar programs to improve access. Cities like San Antonio are testing approaches to solar leasing and incentives for low-income households. California recently re-upped its commitment with legislation that expands funding for solar on multifamily affordable housing. As part of its Reforming the Energy Vision, New York released a Community Choice Aggregation program to make solar installations accessible to renters, low-income individuals and others who do not own homes.

Public policy decisions can be impactful. It is important to make them inclusive and engage all sectors of society if we are to turn the clean energy vision into reality. Otherwise, we run the risk of a two-tiered electric system - one that encourages lower costs for those with the means to install solar, limits clean energy opportunities for those who aspire to participate, and falls short of providing a clean energy future for all.

Rory Christian is director of New York clean energy at the Environmental Defense Fund. Jayant Kairam, director of partnerships, urban and rural strategic implementation at the organization, also contributed to this article.