Washington state considers Fair Access to Community Solar Act

Washington state capitol

Washington state legislators have proposed a bipartisan bill that will enable the establishment of a comprehensive community solar program.

Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) and Rep. Adam Bernbaum (D-Port Townsend) introduced the Fair Access to Community Solar Act (SB 5515/HB 1598). The legislation would provide equitable access to affordable, reliable, locally sited renewable energy for electric utility ratepayers in the state, particularly income-qualified households, renters, and others who are not able to install solar panels on their homes. Shewmake chairs the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee.

“The Fair Access to Community Solar Act will not only help Washington state meet its clean energy goals, but it will also create family-sustaining jobs and grow the economy,” said Derek Chernow, Western director at the Coalition for Community Solar Access  (CCSA). “CCSA looks forward to adding Washington to the growing roster of states embracing community solar. We urge lawmakers to support and pass this bill without delay.” 

Across the United States, 22 states and the District of Columbia have already adopted policies enabling community solar programs. Community solar allows anyone with an electric bill to benefit from affordable, locally generated solar power.  Residents, businesses, and other subscribers can tap into the energy generated from a nearby community solar installation and receive credits on their utility bills.

A recent study by the University of Washington found expanding community solar access in Washington State could deliver substantial economic benefits, including nearly $2 billion in economic output and thousands of new jobs. Currently, Washington ranks 35th in the nation for total installed solar capacity. 

Key Provisions of the Fair Access to Community Solar Act:

  • Establishes a competitive, statewide community solar program, allowing the development of projects up to 5 MW.
  • Offers incentives for community solar projects that incorporate energy storage or are located on preferred sites, such as rooftops, parking structures, and landfills.
  • Requires at least 50% of community solar project capacity be provided to residential subscribers, with 30% reserved for low-income households or low-income service providers. 
  • Creates a community solar bill crediting program to ensure subscribers receive  proportionate credits on their monthly utility bills.
  • Includes a mechanism to partially reimburse utilities for the cost of billing system upgrades.
  • Allows community solar developers to leverage federal and state incentives to maximize energy savings for Washingtonians.
  • Requires regular reporting on program performance metrics to the legislature.

“This important legislation will help reduce high energy bills and ensure Washingtonians have access to affordable, clean energy,” said Mason Rolph, executive director of Olympia Community Solar. “An equitable transition to clean energy must allow regular people to directly benefit. Community solar does that.”

One in five households in Washington spends more than 10% of their income on energy-related expenses, a burden disproportionately affecting lower-income residents. 

“Passing the Fair Access to Community Solar Act would be a win-win: for the state’s economy, our grid, our environment, and ratepayers. By diversifying our energy sources and relying more on locally sited solar power, we can increase access to the clean energy people are demanding, create good jobs, bolster the grid’s reliability, and save customers money,” said Sara Birmingham, VP of state affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

The University of Washington study concluded the economic impact of developing 500 MW of community solar projects over 10 years would generate $1.7 billion in contributions to Washington’s Gross State Product, create the equivalent of 1,652 full-time jobs annually, and produce $76 million in state tax revenue.

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