On January 29, Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) and Rep. Adam Bernbaum (D-Port Townsend) introduced the introduction of SB 5515/HB 1598, the Fair Access to Community Solar Act, a invoice enabling the institution of a complete group photo voltaic program in Washington State. The laws would offer equitable entry to inexpensive, dependable, regionally sited clear vitality for electrical utility ratepayers, notably income-qualified households, renters and others who are usually not capable of set up photo voltaic panels on their properties. Senator Shewmake chairs the Senate Surroundings, Vitality & Expertise Committee.
“The Truthful Entry to Group Photo voltaic Act won’t solely assist Washington state meet its clear vitality targets, however it’ll additionally create family-sustaining jobs and develop the financial system,” mentioned Derek Chernow, Western Director on the Coalition for Group Photo voltaic Entry (CCSA). “CCSA appears ahead to including Washington to the rising roster of states embracing group photo voltaic. We urge lawmakers to assist and cross this invoice at once.”
Throughout the nation, 22 states and the District of Columbia have already adopted insurance policies enabling group photo voltaic packages. Group photo voltaic permits anybody with an electrical invoice to profit from inexpensive, regionally generated solar energy. Residents, companies and different subscribers can faucet into the vitality generated from a close-by group photo voltaic set up and obtain credit on their utility payments.
Key Provisions of the Truthful Entry to Group Photo voltaic Act:
- Establishes a aggressive, statewide group photo voltaic program, permitting the event of tasks as much as 5 MW
- Provides incentives for group photo voltaic tasks that incorporate vitality storage or are positioned on most well-liked websites, similar to rooftops, parking buildings and landfills
- Requires no less than 50% of group photo voltaic venture capability be offered to residential subscribers, with 30% reserved for low-income households or low-income service suppliers.
- Creates a group photo voltaic invoice crediting program to make sure subscribers obtain proportionate credit on their month-to-month utility payments
- Features a mechanism to partially reimburse utilities for the price of billing system upgrades
- Permits group photo voltaic builders to leverage federal and state incentives to maximise vitality financial savings for Washingtonians
- Requires common reporting on program efficiency metrics to the legislature
“This vital laws will assist cut back excessive vitality payments and guarantee Washingtonians have entry to inexpensive, clear vitality,” mentioned Mason Rolph, government director of Olympia Group Photo voltaic. “An equitable transition to scrub vitality should enable common folks to instantly profit – group photo voltaic does that.”
One in 5 households in Washington spends greater than 10% of their earnings on energy-related bills, a burden disproportionately affecting lower-income residents.
“Passing the Truthful Entry to Group Photo voltaic Act could be a win-win: for the state’s financial system, our grid, the environment, and ratepayers. By diversifying our vitality sources and relying extra on regionally sited solar energy, we will improve entry to the clear vitality individuals are demanding, create good jobs, bolster the grid’s reliability, and save clients cash,” mentioned Sara Birmingham, VP of state affairs at SEIA.
Information merchandise from the Coalition for Group Photo voltaic Entry (CCSA)
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