Posted: | April 10, 2023 01:24 PM |
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From: | Representative Aaron D. Kaufer and Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Community Solar |
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to enable community solar projects in Pennsylvania to bring energy choice and economic stimulus to the Commonwealth. Community solar allows neighbors, businesses, farms, nonprofits and other community members to directly participate in and receive benefits from an offsite solar project connected to their local electric distribution company’s grid. Participants can subscribe to a portion of a solar project and receive credit on their electricity bill for the power produced, just as if the panels were on their roof. This program extends to all Pennsylvania residents and businesses the ability to acquire solar energy from a specific community solar project. It also gives citizens and businesses the choice to participate – there is no mandate for participation or request for state funding. Under current law, individuals who rent, have shaded roofs, live in multi-family buildings, or lack roof access, are unable to directly participate in Pennsylvania’s growing solar economy. This bill simply removes existing policy red-tape to allow customers to participate in a community solar project, if they choose. It’s a simple fix that opens a new market sector in the energy industry, spurring almost $2billion in economic investments, creating thousands of jobs, and drives innovation, all without raising taxes. Community solar offers many benefits for both participants and the Commonwealth, including:
Community solar markets are established in 20 other states and the District of Columbia since 2010. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |