Community Solar for All

Don’t let PG&E, SoCal Edison & SDG&E wreck the Community Solar program!

On May 9, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) plans to vote on a proposal that will reject the Community Solar program supported by TURN, environmental justice groups, and the solar industry. The proposal endorsed by the CPUC would favor large utility companies by ensuring solar program development costs are incurred by home builders, renters, and other solar community participants. Alternatively, the TURN Solar Community program proposal would prioritize cost savings for the most vulnerable in our communities.

How do renters benefit from the TURN Community Solar proposal?

The Community Solar proposal supported by TURN would allow renters to subscribe to shared renewable energy facilities, and receive bill credits, based on the value those facilities provide to the grid. The program would allow 45% of Californians who rent (2/3 of low-income customers are renters) to benefit from new solar energy and storage facilities.

How do home builders benefit from the TURN Community Solar proposal?

For home builders, the community solar program would provide a method of alternative compliance with the Title 24 New Home Construction standards that require solar to be installed on all new residential buildings. The Community Solar program would allow purchasers of new homes to receive long-term bill reductions tied to their subscription to clean energy from shared facilities.