On March 23, Sen. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) reintroduces legislation-- Senate Bill 472--  to authorize community solar projects in Pennsylvania. 

Community solar allows 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.

Participants 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.

Senate Bill 472 extends to all Pennsylvania residents and businesses the ability to acquire solar energy from a specific community solar project, regardless if they are renters or if their property is too shady for onsite solar panels. The program is voluntary – there is no mandate for participation or request for state funding.

“We get many calls in my office on a daily basis from people who see the benefit and want community solar in Pennsylvania.  Farmers, renters, homeowners, business owners from all corners of Pennsylvania have reached out to my office,” said Sen. Scavello.  “Community solar is another option for consumers and will also provide a positive economic impact statewide.”

In addition to diversifying Pennsylvania’s energy portfolio, Scavello said community solar projects will provide an economic boost for families and farmers.

“Community solar will provide $2 billion in economic benefits that we cannot ignore,” Sen. Scavello said. “The construction of new community solar projects would create jobs for families who are in need, especially in rural Pennsylvania, where so many people are grappling with unemployment in the wake of COVID-19. And farmers could generate thousands of dollars in income by leasing small portions of their land to these projects.”

Sen. Scavello first introduced this legislation in June 2019 and it has see any action in the Senate.

The bill was referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.

A companion bill was introduced in the House-- House Bill 531 (Kaufer-R-Luzerne)-- that was the subject of hearings last year in the House Consumer Affairs Committee.  The Committee took no action on the bill.  Read more here.

Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks) serves as Majority Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-5072 or sending email to: rtomlinson@pasen.gov.  Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-4236 or sending email to: boscola@pasenate.com.

Related Articles:

-- Op-Ed: Community Solar Offers Bright Spot Of Revenue Opportunity - PA Conservative Energy Forum

-- Penn State Study Finds Passing Bills To Authorize Community Solar Would Support 12,000 Jobs, Generate $1.8 Billion In Economic Impact For PA

Related Article This Week:

-- Gov. Wolf Announces Major Commitment To Solar Energy To Supply Nearly 50% Of State Government's Electricity Needs

[Posted: March 25, 2021]

3/29/2021