Rising energy costs and climate goals have a common solution: Community solar policy | Opinion
Legislative hearings this past month show a groundswell for community solar, with hundreds registering support for this clean energy source at public hearings.
At a time when communities and consumers across the state are demanding locally produced energy that is more affordable and reliable, our state leaders in Olympia have a real opportunity to seize this momentum and deliver on what’s clearly a resounding mandate.
Lawmakers must pass the Fair Access to Community Solar Act (HB 2253/SB 6113) out of committee, which would provide utility bill relief to thousands of residents who have been left out of the solar transition, while also promoting energy security, creating jobs, and providing economic benefits to Washington communities.
The act will create a community solar program in Washington State, allowing households and businesses to subscribe to a nearby solar installation and claim a portion of the energy generated from that site, resulting in monthly utility bill savings.
This plan would help Washingtonians who face barriers to installing traditional rooftop solar, including those who rent, live in large buildings, or cannot afford the upfront costs of installing solar panels.
Every little bit helps, particularly for the approximately one out of five households in Washington who spend over 10% of their income on energy-related expenses. The benefits are especially impactful to low-income households in the state, who spend a significantly larger share of their income on their utility bills compared to higher-earning households. Energy burdens also tend to be higher among Hispanic, Black, and Native American households in our state.
Thankfully, the proposed community solar legislation being considered by state legislators contains statutes to ensure these individuals don’t get left behind, requiring 50% of those subscribed to a community solar project to be either a low-income ratepayer or an organization providing services to low-income families. This would be the second-most robust program in the country after California’s 51% proposal.
Additionally, enacting the Fair Access to Community Solar Act will allow developers to access tax credits and grants, made available by the Inflation Reduction Act, that are specifically designed to create high-paying jobs and apprenticeship opportunities.
The bill also would establish a net crediting program that ensures that subscribers to a project earn credits on their monthly utility bill for the excess energy produced and sold back to the grid.
In addition to reducing costs for residents, expanding community solar promotes economic development and energy independence. The construction, operation, and maintenance of projects support local economic development and create good-paying jobs in neighborhoods where they are needed most.
Because projects are locally sited and largely insulated from the turbulence of foreign policy, community solar makes Washington’s energy supply more independent and resilient – potentially shoring up capacity ahead of projected shortfalls that could affect the regional power supply as early as 2027.
Lastly, enacting a new program will help Washington reach its clean energy target of achieving 100% clean energy by 2045 – one of the most ambitious roadmaps in the nation.
Lawmakers in Olympia have shown they are leaders on clean energy independence, passing more than a half-dozen bills last spring to meet the state’s energy goals, create jobs, and grow a more sustainable economy. Now, it is time to continue the winning streak by moving the Fair Access to Community Solar Act (HB 2253/SB 6113) across the finish line.