On March 16, the House Consumer Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on two bills establishing community solar programs to allow electric consumers to subscribe to solar energy sources in several different ways without having solar panels on their roof.

Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) sponsored House Bill 531 which authorizes community solar projects allowing neighbors, businesses, farms, and other community members to directly participate in and receive the benefits from a solar project connected to their local electric distribution company’s grid.

Under current law, individuals who are renters, live in an apartment building, or lack roof access, are unable to participate in Pennsylvania’s growing solar economy,

Participants in a community solar can subscribe to a portion of an offsite solar project and receive credit on their electricity bill for the power produced, just as if the panels were on their roof.

A companion bill was introduced last June as Senate Bill 705 by Sen. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) and remains in the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.

Rep. Lori Mizgorski (R-Allegheny) sponsored House Bill 1970 which authorizes electric utilities to establish PA Local Solar subscriber programs through which electric customers could elect to purchase 100 percent localized solar energy, rather than the traditional grid mix.

PA Local Solar provides citizens and businesses with the choice to participate in an off-site solar program, but does not mandate participation, nor require any state funding.

“I am excited to introduce House Bill 1970, which expands access to solar power in Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Mizgorski. “Solar energy is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available but is limited to the traditional grid mix. My legislation eliminates barriers and provides all customers with the opportunity to purchase solar energy from local solar projects, located right here in Pennsylvania. By providing all customers with the opportunity to choose solar power, we expand the reach of renewable energy into all communities.”

A companion bill was introduced in October as Senate Bill 929 by Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and remains in the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.

The program is supported by Duquesne Light in the Pittsburgh region.

The meeting will be held in Room 205 of the Ryan Office Building starting at 9:30.  Click Here to watch the hearing live online.

Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-2353 or sending email to: broae@pahousegop.com.   Rep. Robert Matzie (D-Beaver) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-4444 or sending email to: rmatzie@pahouse.net.

For more information on community solar energy, visit the Solar United Neighbors- Pennsylvania webpage.

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[Posted: March 6, 2020]

3/9/2020