A New Mexico senator has launched a invoice that will help group photo voltaic tasks and assist broaden entry to photo voltaic power throughout the U.S.
Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D), thought of a champion for advancing clear power by way of group photo voltaic, on October 1 launched the Group Photo voltaic Shopper Selection Act. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) launched companion laws within the U.S. Home. The invoice is designed to direct extra sources to broaden renewable power by way of group photo voltaic tasks.
Group photo voltaic is a program that allows residential and industrial and industrial prospects that in any other case wouldn’t have entry to solar energy to have the ability to make the most of clear power.
Luján has beforehand launched laws that will require states to contemplate insurance policies to advertise deployment of group photo voltaic tasks. Officers on Tuesday mentioned about half of U.S. households and companies should not ready to make use of rooftop photo voltaic techniques, largely resulting from financial or geographic points. The invoice’s supporters mentioned that increasing group photo voltaic tasks “would decrease power prices for shoppers, help good-paying inexperienced power jobs, and assist fight the local weather disaster.”
‘Transformative Step’
“The Group Photo voltaic Shopper Selection Act is a transformative step in increasing entry to inexpensive clear power whereas reducing purple tape that has delayed these advantages for too lengthy,” mentioned Jeff Cramer, CEO of the Coalition for Group Photo voltaic Entry (CCSA). “This laws comes at a vital time, unlocking the complete potential of federal packages just like the Inflation Discount Act’s Photo voltaic for All and the Low-Revenue Communities Bonus Credit score, which improve power fairness for low- and moderate-income households.”
Cramer advised POWER, “By enabling people, companies, nonprofits, and native governments to take part in group photo voltaic, the invoice ensures that everybody—not simply those that can set up rooftop photo voltaic—can profit from decrease power prices and clear power entry.”
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“Because the local weather disaster continues to worsen, it’s clear that we should do extra to help clear power tasks like group photo voltaic,” mentioned Luján. “I’m proud to introduce the Group Photo voltaic Shopper Selection Act to broaden entry to solar energy by way of group photo voltaic tasks for all People and create extra good-paying, clear power jobs. This invoice is a step ahead in combating the local weather disaster, and I look ahead to working with Rep. Castor to get this invoice handed.”
These behind the laws mentioned the Group Photo voltaic Shopper Selection Act would “require the U.S. Dept. of Power to broaden present grant, mortgage, and financing packages to incorporate group photo voltaic packages and to ascertain a program to extend entry to group photo voltaic packages, together with by way of technical help.” The invoice additionally says each electrical utility would want “to supply a group photo voltaic program that gives all ratepayers, together with low-income ratepayers, with equitable entry [to solar power.”
The legislation also would allow the General Services Administration to offer a public utility contract for a period of up to 30 years, a significant increase from the current 10-year maximum.
Multiple Group Endorse Legislation
Several groups immediately endorsed the bill, including the CCSA, the New Mexico Climate Investment Center, Public Power New Mexico, GRID Alternatives, New Energy Economy, League of Conservation Voters, Appalachian Voices, Vote Solar, Solstice, Sierra Club, Earthjustice, and Solar United Neighbors.
“Americans should be able to harness abundant and free solar energy to power their lives, especially in places like my home ‘Sunshine State’,” said Castor. “The Community Solar Consumer Choice Act will empower individuals and businesses to benefit from low-cost energy produced through a shared community solar array. Community solar is a win-win-win. By expanding community solar, we can reduce harmful pollution, save Americans money on their electric bills and create good-paying jobs. I look forward to partnering with Sen. Luján to pass this bill and make affordable solar more accessible.”
“The New Mexico Climate Investment Center is particularly focused on development of community solar facilities that are community-owned, tribal-owned, and those in rural electric cooperative districts of New Mexico,” said Beth Beloff, CEO of New Mexico Climate Investment Center. “Such community solar facilities will need the technical assistance in developing such programs particularly to provide greater access to low-cost solar subscriptions for the low-income disadvantaged households they are targeting. This bill seeks to address the need for technical assistance and other types of support to provide greatest access to those subscribers. We are in support of Senator Lujan’s bill to provide such support.”
Cramer told POWER, “The Coalition for Community Solar Access fully supports this bill because it reduces bureaucratic barriers, encourages competition in the solar marketplace, and empowers local governments through technical assistance and data-sharing. It creates new opportunities for private investment in community solar projects, fostering innovation and reducing energy bills for more Americans. The Community Solar Consumer Choice Act will help create jobs, drive economic growth, and make clean, affordable energy available to all, especially those who need it most.”
—Darrell Proctor is senior editor for POWER (@POWERmagazine).
