Fair Access to Community Solar Act filed in Washington state

The group photo voltaic market simply acquired a lift in Washington. State Rep. David Hackney (D) and Sen. John Lovick (D) pre-filed each HB 2253 and SB 6113, respectively, which might develop equitable entry to the advantages of domestically sited solar energy to all Washingtonians. The laws, dubbed the Honest Entry to Neighborhood Photo voltaic Act, will construct upon earlier legislative victories to assist Washington in meeting its vitality targets, creating jobs, and developing an extra sustainable financial system.

“As quickly as constituents and my colleagues find out how group photo voltaic works, they notice the immense advantages it will possibly carry,” mentioned Rep. Hackney. “Our state is lengthy overdue for any such laws to implement a aggressive group photo voltaic program to carry vitality justice and financial development for all Washingtonians.”

State group photo voltaic applications empower ratepayers with the selection to enroll as subscribers to a group photo voltaic challenge, which permits them to obtain credit on their electrical energy payments primarily based on their share of the challenge’s vitality era. Whereas Washington state was dwelling to the nation’s first group photo voltaic challenge, the state at the moment ranks thirty-first in deployment.

“By prioritizing a program construction that advantages as many Washingtonians as possible, The Honest Entry to Neighborhood Photo voltaic invoice will assist guarantee our state can lead on group photo voltaic adoption,” mentioned Sen. Lovick.

The Honest Entry to Neighborhood Photo Voltaic Act establishes a group photo voltaic invoice crediting program to make sure subscribers earn a proportionate credit score on their month-to-month utility invoice. The brand new coverage will permit group photo voltaic builders to leverage state and federal incentives to carry vitality financial savings to Washingtonians.

“The nationwide momentum for group photo voltaic continues to construct. Getting a complete program invoice throughout the end line right here in Washington will permit for the state to reap all the advantages quite a few states throughout the nation already see from group photo voltaic,” mentioned Derek Chernow, Western Director at Coalition for Neighborhood Photo voltaic (CCSA).

“A brand new legislative session brings hope for group photo voltaic in Washington,” mentioned Mason Rolph, President of Olympia Community Solar. “This law will assist cut back many Washingtonians’ stubbornly excessive vitality prices and make sure that the grid of the longer term is reasonably priced, equitable, and dependable.”