This is getting real, folks.  California legislators voted this week to advance two different bills that open up access to solar to the 75+ percent of energy customers who can’t put it on their own roof.  Here’s the skinny on the two bills and what we need you to do to make sure shared solar becomes a reality in California this legislative session.

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Do customers still want solar even if they can’t put it on their own house?  From Orlando, the answer is a resounding Yes!  Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), the municipally owned utility serving one of Florida’s largest cities, launched its Community Solar Program in March.  Within six days, all 400kW were fully subscribed, and OUC had received another 300kW+ worth of applications. » Read the rest of this entry «

Solar is already a huge California success story. The Golden State is leading the nation in new installations, helping to drive costs down and reaping economic and environmental benefits as more and more of our power comes from the sun. Now momentum is building in Sacramento for a new approach that will let the state shine even brighter: shared solar.  » Read the rest of this entry «

A much anticipated bill that would have expanded access to solar energy to the majority of Californians failed in the final hours of California’s legislative session on Friday.

SB 843, sponsored by Senator Lois Wolk, would have created a 2 GW shared solar program that would have enabled millions of California renters, small businesses, and public agencies to go solar the first time. By allowing customers to participate in community shared renewable energy systems, it would give customers a way to go solar even if they don’t have a suitable roof of their own. » Read the rest of this entry «

California Senate Bill 843, sponsored by Senator Wolk, passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee Thursday, August 16, bringing thousands of California energy customers closer to being able to go solar! SB 843 would allow customers to invest in solar even if they don’t have a roof of their own to put it on. Customers could subscribe to a shared solar facility, and receive a credit on their utility bill for their share of the clean energy produced. SB 843 would be especially effective for giving thousands of businesses, non-profits, and public facilities the ability to go solar for the first time.

We’re working with Senator Wolk’s office and a broad coalition of supporters to make sure the final version of the bill is one that will work for residential and small commercial customers.

The next step is a vote on the Assembly floor, then the Senate floor, then to Governor Brown’s desk! But it will take your help to get there. If you live in CA, tell your representative to vote YES on SB 843!


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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 «