Bill to Expand Access to Solar Power Reintroduced - erienewsnow.com
Bill to Expand Access to Solar Power Reintroduced - Erie News Now | WICU and WSEE in Erie, PA
Bill to Expand Access to Solar Power Reintroduced
Legislation that would expand access to solar power through a local voluntary program while ensuring adequate ratepayer protection has been reintroduced by State Sen. Dan Laughlin.
Senate Bill 1227 would create the PA Local Solar program. This would allow electric utilities to establish subscriber programs by which customers can choose to purchase 100 percent local solar energy, rather than the traditional grid mix.
Additionally, the legislation would allow residential and business customers to participate in an off-site solar program but does not mandate participation nor require state funding.
“The number of customers who would like to purchase solar energy is rising,” said Laughlin. “However, those who live in apartment buildings or in a location that is not conducive to solar energy production are currently unable to participate in Pennsylvania’s growing solar economy. Many others wish to participate, but lack the financial resources required for rooftop solar installations.”
More information on the legislation can be found here.
Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: solar
Declining costs and government encouragement have resulted in a rapid increase in solar energy production in the United States over the past 10 years, although solar’s share remains small: 1.6 percent of all electricity generation in 2018. That rapid growth is projected to continue.