Community Power Accelerator Transitions to the Milken Institute’s Community Infrastructure Center

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR, formerly the National Renewable Energy Laboratory [NREL]) is pleased to share an important update regarding the future of the Community Power Accelerator (CPA) platform.

In March 2026, the CPA platform transitioned from NLR to the Milken Institute’s Community Infrastructure Center (CIC), where it will be housed as part of CIC’s broader ecosystem. Through this transition, CPA will continue to operate as a free, public-facing platform while benefiting from expanded resources, partnerships, and long-term support.

Continue to the CPA

What This Transition Means for Users

The integration of CPA into CIC is designed to preserve the tools users rely on today while expanding access to capital, expertise, and knowledge across a broader range of infrastructure projects.

What’s Staying the Same

• All core CPA functionality will remain intact.
• Existing project information and user activity will be preserved.
• Continued support for distributed solar and storage projects under 5 megawatts.
• Free access to the platform for all users.

What’s Expanding

• A broader national network of capital providers, technical assistance partners, and project sponsors.
• Enhanced grant and financing matching tools.
• An expanded knowledge base, including new templates, case studies, and resources.
• Opportunities to participate in financing forums and deal-focused convenings.
• Ongoing platform enhancements and feature development.

The Community Infrastructure Center supports infrastructure projects nationwide—well beyond solar and storage—and connects communities to a wide range of capital pathways. This integration is intended to strengthen CPA’s impact while maintaining continuity for existing users.

Looking Ahead

We are excited about this next chapter for the Community Power Accelerator and look forward to continuing to support community-led energy and infrastructure projects through this expanded partnership.

To learn more about the Milken Institute and the Community Infrastructure Center, please visit their website. Contact support@communityinfrastructurecenter.org for questions or support.

FAQs

• Will I lose access to my existing CPA projects or data? No. All existing project information, user profiles, and activity histories will be preserved and available on the CIC platform. You may need to make minor profile updates. Instructions will be shared soon.
• Will CPA still focus on community-scale solar and storage projects? Yes. CPA will continue to support distributed solar and storage projects under 5 MW.
• Will the platform still be free to use? Yes. Access to the CPA platform through CIC remains free.
• Do I need to create a new account on CIC? New users will have to create a CIC account. Prior CPA users do not, they will receive instructions to reset your password and activate your existing account in CIC.
• What new benefits will I see as a CPA user under CIC? Users gain access to a larger national network of funders and partners, improved matching tools, expanded learning resources, and new financing convening opportunities.