Dear Friend, The pandemic has hit Pennsylvania’s economy hard. Community solar could provide an immediate boost to the economy when we desperately need it, while also advancing a clean energy source. Community solar allows anyone who pays an electric bill to participate in the benefits of solar energy without needing to install their own onsite system. Individual households, businesses, farmers, and non-profits would be able to purchase or subscribe to solar panels that make up a larger solar project and then receive a credit on their utility bill for the electricity generated by those panels. A bipartisan community solar bill in Harrisburg, House Bill 531, could kick-start renewable energy projects that would save consumers money on energy bills, create local jobs, pay farmers for allowing solar projects to be sited on their land, and generate tax revenue. There are over 200 shovel-ready community solar projects in over 40 counties that are ready to go once this legislation passes. The bill was introduced by a Republican, has strong bipartisan support, and is championed by a diverse mix of environmental groups, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, unions who work on solar, and solar developers. | |
Despite all of this support, the bill is currently sitting in the House Consumer Affairs Committee. With only a few House session days remaining this year, we need to advance this bill out of committee immediately if we want to reap any of the benefits from community solar | |
Joseph Otis Minott, Esq.
Executive Director and Chief Counsel | |
