Coalition for Community Solar Access

🚨 Pennsylvania's family farms are under threat. But community solar can help protect their legacy!

With community solar:

🌾 Solar panels are placed on underutilized farmland, providing economic opportunity for small family farms.

☀️ You don’t have to own acres of land or a big rooftop to get the benefits of solar energy.

🌎 Much like Netflix, you subscribe to clean, locally generated solar power without having to install your own solar panels.

💸 Energy costs are lowered, saving PA families money on their electric bills.

In 22 states, families and farmers are already reaping the benefits of community solar. But Pennsylvania's families are missing out due to outdated regulations.

It's time to change that. Support HB 1842 and bring community solar to Pennsylvania.

Across the country, is booming — democratizing solar benefits regardless of your home’s access to solar panels.

States across the country are greenlighting community solar programs, making significant moves to make their communities more sustainable, offer bill savings to ratepayers, and spark local economic investment.

Read more about community solar’s expansion >>

These States Are Poised for Community Solar Growth, Report Finds Community solar can help those with no access to solar panels switch to clean energy. Here's why these programs might see growth in the near future.

Can help ratepayers save money and live better? Walmart thinks so!

Lisa B. Nelson, director of public affairs at Walmart, recognizes the potential community solar has to broadly benefit customers, such as easing the burden of energy costs, encouraging local investment, and creating new jobs.

Read her opinion column supporting Wisconsin Assembly Bill 258 and Senate Bill 226.

Lisa B. Nelson: Community solar benefits customers and communities Community solar is a solution that brings a plethora of benefits to a broad base of consumers, transforming the way we access and think about energy, as well as reduce energy costs for Wisconsin families and businesses.

offers solar power benefits to all residents.

But obstacles with IRS guidance prevent those benefits from being democratized. Solutions like net crediting or prepaid cards could offer a cleaner & more inclusive energy landscape.

Guest column: IRA incentives for low-income community solar In my previous article in this series, we delved into the multitude of ways that the Treasury Dept.’s guidance on the IRA’s Low-Income Communities Bonus

CCSA’s Molly Knoll and Kate Daniel are presenting virtually at the annual summit for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Community Solar Partnership. They will provide a state community solar market and policy update, detailing best practices, successes in existing markets, and the new markets on our horizon.

Catch their deep dive at 3:15pm ET.

2024 National Community Solar Partnership Annual Summit The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) will host the fourth annual National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) Summit on February 14, 2024.

After four years, third-party has a shot in Wisconsin.

A legislative hearing today could be the first major step to changing existing law limiting community solar development to utilities. This change could open up new revenue streams for landowners, like Bonnie and Rick Beyer in Shawano, and accelerate clean, affordable energy choices across the state.

CCSA’s Matt Hargarten details the benefits community solar has for diverse stakeholders, and how the utilities are trying to shortchange the beneficiaries before installations are even deployed.

Wisconsin landowners want to create a community solar farm. A state law and utilities are blocking the way. Bills authorizing community solar programs have languished in committe for nearly four years, but supporters feel they're finally getting traction.

Utilities killed Washington’s Fair Access to Community Solar Act. This loss deals a setback to Washington’s shared goals to advance climate action and promote energy equity, according to CCSA’s Derek Chernow. The bill would have brought unprecedented federal dollars into Washington to amplify the state’s program, too.

Utility opposition stymies Fair Access to Community Solar Act in Washington Legislators in Washington State were hoping to boost the state’s community solar program with bills that would establish The Fair Access to Community Solar Act; however, supporters will have to wai…

Walmart and U.S. Bank step up in a big way to help democratize solar access!

Seven new projects in New York and Illinois will collectively benefit 5,000 low-income households, and help those residents save over $17 million over the projects’ lifespans.

Seven community solar projects to deliver bill savings to low-income residents Walmart, U.S Bancorp Impact Finance and Reactivate closed a tax equity transaction on the portfolio of solar projects in New York and Illinois.

This year, the California Public Utilities Commission could reshape clean energy access for 40 million residents.

With previous attempts to structure a program falling short, the Net Value Billing Tariff proposal could be the game-changer California needs to enhance grid reliability and expand energy equity.

Discover more about the NVBT’s potential.

Battery Storage Firms See Promise in California's Community Solar Market As California’s utility regulator moves to complete its community solar program guidelines, hopes are high that a widely-supported tariff proposal will finally allow community solar and battery storage to help power the state.

CCSA staffers share best practices and connect with energy equity partners at the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC)'s action day in DC!

Despite The Fair Access to Community Solar Act not advancing in Washington state, hundreds had voiced their support for . The legislation would have given millions of hard-working, low-income residents access to clean, local solar energy, reducing energy costs and ensuring that the grid of the future is affordable and reliable.

Discover more about what community solar would mean to Washington.

Rising energy costs and climate goals have a common solution: Community solar policy | Opinion Community solar allows “households and businesses to subscribe to a nearby solar installation and claim a portion of the energy generated from that site, resulting in monthly utility bill savings.” | Opinion

Despite the Fair Access to Community Solar Act not advancing in Washington state, hundreds had voiced their support for .

The legislation would have given millions of hard-working, low-income residents access to clean, local solar energy, reducing energy costs and ensuring that the grid of the future is affordable and reliable.

Discover more about what community solar would mean to Washington.

Rising energy costs and climate goals have a common solution: Community solar policy | Opinion Community solar allows “households and businesses to subscribe to a nearby solar installation and claim a portion of the energy generated from that site, resulting in monthly utility bill savings.” | Opinion

As more families face tough decisions between essentials like food and heat, offers some relief. Its innovative model extends solar benefits across communities, breaking down barriers, and democratizing solar power for all.

Read more from the Washington Post on the evolving landscape of renewable energy.

Opinion | What it will take to make clean energy affordable — for everyone We have the technologies to reduce energy bills and cut fossil fuel emissions — if only all states would act.

Southwest Virginia can experience immense benefits from .

From new economic opportunities on unused land like abandoned mine lands, to bill savings for residents, to increased tax revenue for the community, the region, like many other parts of Virginia, will witness a transformative impact from community solar in their backyards.

Shared solar program would benefit Southwest Virginia Russell County supervisor makes the case for a bill before the General Assembly that would expand the program.

We’re gonna go with “make.” 🌞

Solar capacity grew by 33,000 MW in 2023. 2024 is gearing up to be a pivotal year for solar, too. The journey will be mired with necessary challenges to set up solar to become the country’s dominant renewable power source.

Anticipated awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Solar for All program announced in March could expand , so the benefits of solar are democratized across the country.

4 issues to watch in make-or-break year for solar The industry is expected to continue growing but also faces multiple obstacles.

Today is the last day to secure the early bird registration rate for the 2024 Community Solar Innovation Summit!

The Summit will host community solar leaders who will share the latest market and policy trends. Sessions will offer deep informative insight on interconnection, customer management, consumer protection, access and inclusion processes for low-to-moderate income customers, siting/permitting, and more.

Registration rates will go up after today! Register today for the best rate!

COMMUNITY SOLAR INNOVATION SUMMIT. Online registration by Cvent

The early bird registration rate flies away tomorrow for the 2024 Community Solar Innovation Summit!

As one of the fastest growing forms of clean energy in the country, holds amazing potential to expand customer choice, decarbonize the grid, combat climate change, and democratize solar energy. Discover the latest market and policy trends from the community solar experts who are expanding markets throughout the country.

Register now! https://web.cvent.com/event/4d08858f-5aef-4a10-8340-6111b45325fd/summary

The U.S. Department of Energy National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) and its partners (including us!) have been laying the groundwork to deploy benefits and deliver impacts to households and communities through .

Join the NCSP Annual Summit (virtually) on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET to learn about the tools, resources, and best practices that can help accelerate community solar access and deliver benefits at scale. Learn more and register today: https://www.energy.gov/communitysolar/2024-national-community-solar-partnership-annual-summit

Registration rates go up this Wednesday (1/31) for the 2024 Community Solar Innovation Summit!

The Summit will host community solar thought leaders to give the deeply informative insight on interconnection, customer management, consumer protection, access and inclusion processes for low-to-moderate income customers, siting/permitting, and more.

We’ll see you in Denver on June 13 - 14! Register now!

https://web.cvent.com/event/4d08858f-5aef-4a10-8340-6111b45325fd/summary

New Jersey’s powering up !

Governor Phil Murphy signs legislation to make the state's community solar program more inclusive and accessible for low- and moderate-income residents. The legislation streamlines eligibility verification and allows municipalities to facilitate access.

Legislation in New Jersey expands community solar program to benefit more LMI residents New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed a bill to strengthen the state’s community solar program, increasing its overall size and expanding access by

!!T-MINUS 7 DAYS!!

Early bird registration flies away January 31 for the 2024 Community Solar Innovation Summit.

We look forward to seeing you in Denver June 13 - 14 for the latest market and policy trends, as well as best practices for across the industry.

⬇️⬇️ Register today for the best rate! ⬇️⬇️

http://tinyurl.com/y38nc9xn

EARLY BIRD ENDS THIS WEDNESDAY!

Early bird registration runs until January 31 for the 2024 Community Solar Innovation Summit. If you want the latest market and policy trends, as well as best practices for the industry, look no further. 100% of Summit revenues will be invested back into opening, expanding, and protecting competitive, sustainable community solar markets.

Join us in Denver June 13 - 14!

http://tinyurl.com/y38nc9xn