S 2182119th CongressIn Committee

Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2025

Introduced: Jun 26, 2025

Environment & Climate

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2025 would create a federal program led by the Department of Energy (DOE) to expand access to community solar for a broad set of participants—individuals (with emphasis on those who lack onsite solar and low- to moderate-income households), businesses, nonprofits, and state/local/tribal governments. It would amend federal energy policy (PURPA) to require utilities to offer community solar programs with equitable access, and it would give DOE tools to assist with financing models, data sharing, and technical guidance. The bill also broadens federal support for community solar by expanding DOE grant/loan financing programs to cover such projects and adds a 30-year cap on certain federal public utility contracts. Overall, the bill aims to lower barriers to participation, improve affordability, and encourage broader ownership and financing options for community solar facilities.

Key Points

1Establishment of a DOE-administered Community Solar Consumer Choice Program within 1 year to increase access for individuals (including low- and moderate-income), businesses, nonprofits, and government entities; requires alignment with existing federal low-income programs.
2DOE support and guidance: provide technical assistance to state/local/tribal governments, help develop new and innovative financial and business models (including affordable rate structures), and use National Laboratories to collect/disseminate data to help private entities finance, subscribe to, and operate community solar facilities.
3Federal government participation: expand DOE grant, loan, and financing programs to include community solar programs, increasing federal support for development and participation.
4PURPA 111(d) amendments (Section 3): adds a new standard (paragraph 22) for community solar programs:
5- Non-tribal utilities must offer equitable and demonstrably accessible community solar programs to all ratepayers (including low-income).
6- Tribal utilities may offer such programs and can leverage federal resources to do so.
7- Programs must include mechanisms allowing utilities, non-utilities, or other entities to own community solar facilities as needed to deliver benefits and manage market concentration.
8- DOE must provide technical assistance and guidance to implement these programs.
9Compliance timelines (Section 3 and 2):
10- Not later than 1 year after enactment: states and nonregulated electric utilities should begin consideration or set a hearing date on implementing the new standard.
11- Not later than 2 years after enactment: they must complete consideration and make determinations under the standard.
12- Adjustments to related PURPA timing and references to reflect the new standard.
13Public contracts (Section 4): cap for certain public utility service contracts at 30 years.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Consumers, especially low-income individuals and those without regular access to onsite solar; broad ratepayer base of electric utilities; community solar developers and financiers.Secondary group/area affected- Electric utilities (non-tribal and tribal utilities), state regulators, local and tribal governments, and federal agencies (DOE, National Laboratories) involved in implementation and data/financing support.Additional impacts- Potential shift in ownership structures of community solar facilities (facilitating partial or full ownership by utilities, third parties, or other entities to deliver benefits and reduce market concentration).- Expanded federal involvement and data-driven approaches to program design and financing, which could influence rate design and program costs/benefits for customers.- Alignment with other federal low-income programs could enhance affordability and accessibility but may require utilities to adapt processes to meet new standards and timelines.- 30-year cap on certain federal public utility contracts could affect long-term project finance and procurement strategies.Community solar facility: a solar project that serves multiple electric customers and is connected to the local grid; can be owned by a utility, subscribers, or a third party.Community solar program: a service by an electric utility that lets customers subscribe to solar generation and attribute its value to their electric bill.Subscriber: a customer who participates in a community solar program.National Laboratory: DOE national labs (e.g., Oak Ridge, Lawrence Berkeley, etc.) used for data collection and technical support.PURPA: Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, a federal law guiding how utilities plan and procure energy, with provisions that can support renewable energy programs like community solar.

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