# Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2023

This bill is about making it easier for everyday people to benefit from solar energy through a shared solar program model called "community solar." Right now, if you rent an apartment, live in a shaded area, or can't afford to install solar panels on your roof, you're basically locked out of solar energy benefits. This bill tries to fix that by requiring electric utilities across the country to offer community solar programs where multiple people can share the benefits of a single solar installation.

Here's how it would work in practice: imagine a solar panel system installed on a nearby roof or open land. Instead of one person owning it all, multiple neighbors—renters, homeowners, businesses, nonprofits, and even local governments—could each own or subscribe to a portion of it. The electricity that system generates would be divided among all the participants, and each person would get credits on their electric bill based on their share. This is especially important for low-income people who might never be able to afford their own rooftop solar system. The bill specifically requires that utilities make sure low-income customers have real, meaningful access to these programs, not just technically available but actually affordable and accessible.

To make this happen, the bill gives the federal Department of Energy a year to set up a program that helps communities get community solar projects off the ground. The government would provide technical assistance to states and local governments, help develop new financing models, and use national laboratories to gather information that private companies can use to build and finance these projects. The bill also requires electric utilities to start considering community solar programs within one year and make a final decision within two years. If a state has already set up a community solar program, they're exempt from these federal requirements.

Additionally, the bill allows the federal government itself to participate in community solar programs and expands existing Energy Department loan and grant programs to include community solar projects. There's also a provision allowing the government to sign longer contracts—up to 30 years—for utility services, which helps make community solar projects more financially stable and attractive to investors.

Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2023

Castor, Kathy

Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2023 This bill sets forth provisions that support access to community solar energy and increases the allowable time period for a long-term contract between the General Services Administration (GSA) and a public utility. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program to increase access to community solar energy programs for individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, states, local governments, and tribal governments. In addition, DOE must, to the extent practicable, expand existing grant, loan, and financing programs to include community solar programs. Further, the bill modifies requirements under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 for electric utilities, including by requiring each electric utility to offer a community solar program that provides all ratepayers, including low-income ratepayers, equitable and demonstrable access to such program. Finally, the bill allows the GSA to make a public utility contract for a period of up to 30 years. Currently, the GSA may make a public utility contract for up to 10 years.