legislation news
Communities are coming together to plant Solar Gardens — and visionary new laws are making it possible. Here you will find information on federal and state legislation plus tax-related news.
You can find more at these sources:
- Community Solar: Power and Ownership for You and Me
- IREC Releases Community Solar Energy Guidelines | GetSolar.com Blog
- The Wikipedia Community solar farm entry
- Vote Solar
Tax-related information
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6170: Environmental Tax Incentives
Federal legislation
- The SUN Act: Introduced by Senator Mark Udall, this act makes a tiny change to the tax code allowing federal tax rebates for solar panels hosted off-property.
- The Treasury Grant Program: Awards selected commercial solar project developers an upfront grant totaling 30% of the project cost.
Legislation by state
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
SB 843, before the State Legislature in 2012, would allow virtual net metering in California.
- Bill text from 3/24/11 (being amended now): http://e-lobbyist.com/gaits/text/339224
- Information about the bill: http://e2.org/jsp/controller?docName=campaignDisplay&activityName=SB843
- Preliminary analysis of the bill by the Local Clean Energy Alliance: http://www.localcleanenergy.org/files/SB%20843%20PreliminaryAnalysis4.pdf.
Colorado
In 2010, Governor Ritter signed the Community Solar Gardens Act. See the full text of this bill here.
Colorado Community Solar Gardens Final Rules – September 12, 2011
Colorado PUC Solar Gardens Rule Making
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
DC Solar United Neighborhoods (DC SUN) has been working hard to make solar affordable and accesible to every resident of DC. CMs Cheh and Alexander introduced the Community Renewables Act of 2012 in early March. A summary and the full text of the bill is available online at http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/legislation/community-renewables-energy-act-of-2012
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Solar Gardens Institute core team member David Brosch has led the effort to introduce a solar gardens bill in Maryland, working closely with Vote Solar. The bill is the first statewide effort to use the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) community renewables model program rules. The bill has been introduced in both the House of Delegates and Senate under different bill numbers and with identical text. HB864 is sponsored by Dana Stein, and SB595 is sponsored by Paul Pinsky. No hearing has yet been scheduled in either chamber. Full text of bill
Massachusetts
In 2008, State Representative Matt Patrick authored the Green Communities Act, which authorized “neighborhood net-meterin,” allowing a group of residents in a neighborhood or town to pool resources to cover the capital cost of a renewable energy installation. Two community solar gardens are already in place in the state.
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Northern Marianas Islands
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Proposed Amendments to House Bill 3039
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Virgin Islands
Washington
The Washington state legislature recently approved the Community Solar Enabling Act, allowing co-ops to host solar panels for subscribers anywhere in the state.
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming