Right now, a bill in Sacramento, SB 843, has the power to allow thousands of California energy consumers to go solar for the first time. Shared solar is a game-changer that could unleash huge new private investment in clean energy.  But its fate rests on SB 843 and needs Californians to voice support now to pass. (TAKE ACTION: We’ve made it easy here).

Under SB 843, customers of PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E would have access to affordable solar energy even if they don’t have a suitable roof to put it on. SB 843 would allow customers to sign up to participate in shared renewable energy projects, and receive a credit on their utility bill for the clean energy produced by their share of the project. The project can be located wherever it makes the most sense – in a city park, on an old landfill, out in the desert. By allowing customers to subscribe to shared solar projects, SB 843 broadens access to clean energy to thousands more Californians. » Read the rest of this entry «

Maryland policymakers are considering two bills that would kick solar growth into high gear.

With a solid 2% solar goal and core policies like net metering driving in-state growth, Maryland is already well on its way to building a robust solar market. As costs have come down and the local industry has scaled, solar has been installed at a rapidly growing pace – in fact, faster than was expected when the solar statute was originally designed. As we’ve seen in Pennsylvania, a state in this high-growth situation can run the risk of a significant SREC oversupply as solar generation exceeds the utilities’ SREC requirements. This sends a once-booming solar market into a bust cycle that’s no good for local job retention and continued solar investment. » Read the rest of this entry «

As the home of some pioneering community solar projects, Maryland’s clean energy champions are seeking to establish a platform on which these renewable energy arrangements can flourish.

Recently introduced as Senate Bill 595, state lawmakers will be considering a proposal that would enable Maryland residents and small-businesses to join together in sharing the costs and benefits of renewable energy.

Most commonly conceived as a single renewable energy system in which individuals can invest in a portion of a facility’s clean generating potential, these arrangements offer a direct experience for those unable to install on-site renewable energy.  For those that have a shaded roof or rent, community solar offer the promise of renewable energy access.

As an increasing number of jurisdictions look to broaden accessibility to the solar economy through this concept (e.g., here), we applaud these efforts for bringing solar into the mainstream.  We look forward to this trend.

Hats off to Maryland for getting out of the gate early.

Having originally introduced an initiative in 2010 to expand the federal investment tax credit (ITC) to those participating in a community solar project, Senator Mark Udall of Colorado has recently re-introduced his “Solar Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) Act” in Congress.  See here, bill here.

Follow the SUN Act Campaign here.

» Read the rest of this entry «

In a win for renters, today the CPUC approved a decision that should help get solar on multi-tenant properties.

» Read the rest of this entry «

In a proposed decision issued on June 14, the California Public Utilities Commission is proposing to expand Virtual Net Metering, a program currently being piloted with Multi-Family Affordable Housing, to all multi-tenant buildings.  How does this work, and why is it important?

» Read the rest of this entry «

It’s been a big year, and there is plenty to celebrate.  Here’s our recount of Vote Solar’s top 10 (or so) in 2010:

- New 1 GW program for wholesale distributed generation in California. We–and many allies–put nearly three years into the effort to build a new market for mid-sized solar.  These are projects that can utilize the existing distribution network to come on-line quicker and closer to load, yet still with enough scale to rival costs of natural gas generation. On December 16, the effort paid off when the California Public Utilities Commission unanimously adopted the Renewable Auction Mechanism – or RAM.  The 1 GW pilot program requires utilities to conduct biannual auctions for renewable projects under 20 MW in size.   » Read the rest of this entry «

Check our new web resources to learn more

Consider that only one-quarter of residential rooftops are suitable for solar PV and that one-third of Americans are renters who are typically unable to install a solar system on their landlord’s roof. That adds up to a whole lotta energy consumers who simply can’t go solar in the usual way.

» Read the rest of this entry «