What is happening
For the first time, solar power would be available for renters, condos, townhomes, and most small to medium size businesses who cannot install rooftop solar.
Pennsylvania Legislators introduced two community solar bills in the General Assembly! If passed, House Bill (HB) 1467 and Senate Bill (SB) 230 would enable community solar and expand Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS).
HB 1467 and SB 230 make community solar closer than ever. Your actions could help community solar become law! Take Action Now! Send a message to your state representative and state senator, let them know you support community solar!!
What is community solar?
Community solar allows individuals, businesses, and organizations to subscribe to a “share” or portion of solar generation in a nearby community solar project. When you join a community solar project, you receive a credit on your electric bill each month, often reducing your bill by 10-20%. The size of your share determines how much credit you receive.
Passing community solar legislation would enable many more Pennsylvanians to benefit from solar even if they have a barrier to going solar themselves. Barriers can include issues such as the high upfront cost, the direction of their roof, being a renter, and so many others.
Putting the “community” into community solar
Currently in Pennsylvania you can only benefit from solar savings if the panels are located on your own property. Passing community solar legislation would enable many more Pennsylvanians to benefit from solar even though the panels will not be located on their own property.
Community solar means more affordable electricity, local energy production, and living wage solar jobs in our communities. A good community solar bill will provide
- Guaranteed bill savings for subscribers
- Guaranteed subscriptions for low-income residents
- Opportunities for small, creative community solar projects on churches, community centers and other neighborhood level entities
Let’s secure community solar for Pennsylvanians!
HB 1467 and SB 230 achieve two key goals:
- They enable effective community solar programs across the Commonwealth
- They expand Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) by increasing the in-state solar carve-out from 0.5% to 14%
Strengthening AEPS solar standards while enabling community solar would be a decisive move to a cleaner, more resilient energy grid for all Pennsylvanians and the future of solar in our Commonwealth.
Twenty two states and the District of Columbia have passed community solar legislation. Numerous other states are considering community solar legislation. In addition, rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities around the country have started offering community solar to their customers.
Pennsylvania is the second-largest net supplier of energy to other states. Enabling Community Solar would allow Pennsylvanians to supply our communities with local energy as much as we do for other states.
Your actions could help community solar become law! Take Action Now! Complete the form to send a message to your lawmakers, let them know you support community solar!!
