Newsom signs bill requiring California utilities to create community solar programs
Sacramento, California
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2316, which requires large utilities to create community renewable energy programs that pair community solar with storage to help the state overcome clean energy access barriers. The law was supported by a diverse coalition of supporters — including advocates for environmental justice, clean energy, ratepayers, home builders and commercial property owners.
California cities and counties now required to switch to instant, online residential solar permitting by 2024
Sacramento, California
Sen. Scott Weiner’s bill to require instant, online residential solar permitting in large California cities and counties was signed by Gov. Newsom in September. This new law will require those entities to adopt NREL and UL’s automated permitting solution called SolarAPP+ or another instant solution by September 30, 2024.
CPUC expected to wait until after election to issue NEM 3.0 decision
Sacramento, California
The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to hold off on issuing its NEM 3.0 proposed decision until after the November election. The California Solar & Storage Association previously thought the decision would come down by the end of September.
Report finds 1 in 10 of all K-12 schools have gone solar
Washington, DC
The latest report from Generation180 found 1 in 10 (9%) of all K-12 public and private schools in the United States have gone solar. The report found 87% of solar power installed at U.S. schools was funded through third-party PPA arrangements.
Community solar groups partner with American Farmland Trust on sustainable development initiative
Washington, DC
The American Farmland Trust has partnered with Edelen Renewables and Arcadia on an initiative called Farmers Powering Communities to combat climate change through sustainable solar energy development. The group set a goal to develop 500 MW of community solar capacity in five years guided by AFT’s Smart Solar siting principles.
