Skip to main content

Distributed Renewable Energy

For individuals, the heating and cooling of buildings is the second largest source of U.S. CO2 emissions after transportation. The chapter suggests pathways to help deploy the two most promising categories of U.S. distributed renewable energy resources to reduce these emissions—photovoltaic solar matched with storage and thermal sources for hot water and for heating and cooling buildings. DG is probably the energy source most impacted by different levels of government and nongovernmental actors. However, DG is also most immediate to consumers, especially with new technologies or rate structures that give them feedback about their own individual generation and consumption patterns. This, along with exciting new leaps in DG technologies, suggests there are opportunities for DG to play an increasing role in significantly decarbonizing U.S. energy.

***

Top Ten Resources on Distributed Renewable Energy: To help users take a brief survey of some of our favorite materials from this pathway, the MCLI team has drafted a "Top 10" resources list for state and local governments trying to address Distributed Renewable Energy. Check it out here.

Sub-topics

Filter by

265 resources

Example Local Governments

Seattle’s solar zoning

Seattle’s Municipal Code (2010) allows solar collectors specifically to exceed height restriction by several feet and provides unique setback requirements.
Example Public Utilities

MI Power Grid Proceeding

MI Power Grid is a focused, multi-year stakeholder initiative at the Michigan PUC to maximize the benefits of the transition to clean, distributed energy resources for Michigan residents and businesse...
Example Local Governments

Las Cruces NM Solar Regulations for Historic Buildings

The Las Cruces Code allows for the installation of solar panels in a way that does not damage the integrity of historic sites. The solar panels must preserve the aesthetic of the building and be rever...
Example States and State Governments

Massachusetts microgrid feasibility studies

In 2018, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center provided $75,000 for feasibility studies to fourteen projects and communities across the state. This commitment followed up on previous studies into barr...
Example States and State Governments

North Carolina RPS

North Carolina’s RPS defines a REC as equivalent to 1 MWh of electricity derived from a renewable energy source, or an equivalent amount of thermal energy in the case of CHP and solar water heating, o...
Example States and State Governments

New Mexico Interconnection Rules Order

In November, 2022, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission issued a ruling on interconnection rules, which govern how clean energy resources can connect to the grid. The rules reflect national bes...
Example States and State Governments

California AB 1637

AB 1637 authorized the Public Utility Commission to double the budget for the Self-Generation Incentive Program for the next three years, an additional $249 million for small-scale distributed energy ...
Resource Local Governments

Community Solar Policy Decision Matrix

The Coalition for Community Solar Access has authored a matrix intended to lead policymakers through important questions in the community solar development process, with factors grouped into five cate...
Resource States and State Governments

A Comprehensive Review of Solar Access Law in the United States

The Solar America Board for Codes and Standards is a collaborative effort funded by the U.S. Department of Energy that dedicates experts to transforming solar markets by improving building codes, util...
Example Private Entities

Maine’s Distributed Generation Procurement Program

Maine’s P.L. 2019 c. 478 and Chapter 312 of the PUC rules require the PUC to undertake a series of procurements of DG projects to meet statutory targets for distributed renewable projects. Customers m...
Example Public Utilities

Tucson Electric Power’s DER investments

Tucson Electric Power signed an agreement with NextEra Energy to build a 100 MW solar array and a 30 MWh battery system, expected to provide solar power at less than $0.03/kWh by the end of 2019.
Example States and State Governments

Colorado 2022 Microgrid Legislation

In June 2022, Colorado enacted two microgrid-focused laws, HB1013 and HB1249. HB 1013 appropriates $3.5 million to create a Microgrids for Community Resilience Grant Program. A cooperative electric as...
Example Public Utilities

California Time of Use PUC decision

California. After a series of pilots, California’s PUC adopted a decision (2018) guiding the state’s three major investor-owned utilities to roll-out time of use rates across the state. The move is ex...
Example Private Entities

DoubleGreen Solar Loan Program

The DoubleGreen Solar Loan is designed to serve households regularly marginalized by existing financing options by offering lower interest rates, longer loan lengths, transparent terms, and more flexi...
Resource States and State Governments

CELICA

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy for Low-Income Communities Accelerator (CELICA) toolkit provides an overview of tools, resources, and models for developing low-income energy efficiency an...
Example States and State Governments

Virginia Acts ch. 763 (2019)

Virginia’s Acts Ch. 763 (2019) required utilities to develop pilots in community solar and time-of-use rates.utility
Example States and State Governments

Connecticut’s SB 4

In May 2022, Connecticut passed legislation addressing government EV fleets, charging rights, and distributed solar rights. On government fleets, SB4 (2022) sets a requirement for state vehicle fleets...
Example Public Utilities

California NEM 2.0 Proceeding

In this proceeding (R1407002), various utilities filed plans to reduce net metering (NEM) below retail electricity rate remuneration for distributed power sent to the grid. In an order on January 28, ...
Example Public Utilities

Hawaii’s Time of Use Rates Requirements

In October 2022, Hawaii became the first state to generally approve time of use rates for utilities across its territory. The rate structure will encourage people to shift consumption away from the mo...
Example Local Governments

San Jose solar permitting standards

In response to California’s Solar Permitting Efficiency Act, San Jose adopted photovoltaic permit requirements (2016) that can approve a project in as little as one-day, and could become a nationwide ...
Example Public Utilities

New York’s intervenor funding mechanism

New York’s intervenor funding mechanism is not uncommon in that not all intervenors are eligible for intervenor funds. Only “municipal and local parties” are eligible, where eligible “local parties” i...
Example States and State Governments

Wyoming’s 1981 Solar Rights Act

Wyoming’s 1981 Solar Rights Act employs a prior appropriation regime and address shading from both human obstructions and from vegetation.
Example States and State Governments

NY SUN

NY SUN is the consolidated umbrella for New York solar incentives for homes, businesses, and communities. The program was re-launched in 2014 with a goal of supporting 3.175 GW of installed capacity b...
Example States and State Governments

Colorado’s Rule Against Ratepayer Funds for Lobbying

A 2023 law in Colorado prohibits investor-owned utility companies from using ratepayer money to fund trade associations, promotional advertising, certain kinds of lobbying, and other political influen...
Example Public Utilities

Colorado Energy Office Low-Income Community Solar Demonstration Project

Colorado’s Low-Income Community Solar Demonstration Project saw the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) administer a $1.2 million grant to implement the development of eight demonstration models throughout C...
Model Law States and State Governments

LPDD Model Law: State Legislation to Promote Community Solar Facilities

This model legislation is intended to accelerate the development of community solar projects nationwide by providing a common-sense statutory framework that can be adopted by states that currently hav...
Resource Public Utilities

SEIA report, Getting More Granular

The Solar Energy Industries Association has prepared a white paper, Getting More Granular, analyzing how time and location-specific values may change the economics for distributed energy projects.
MCLI Resource

LPDD Top Tens: Distributed Renewable Energy

For those in search of a shortcut through the vast LPDD database, we're proud to highlight a subset of our most useful pathways for state and local government leaders on distributed renewable energy.
Example States and State Governments

Massachusetts Gas Transition Order

In December 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued an order to move utilities away from natural gas. The regulatory strategy prohibits gas utilities from charging customers for ...
Example States and State Governments

New York’s Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act

In June 2022, New York enacted a law opening the door to allowing utilities to build and own networks that distribute thermal energy, under the watch of the state Public Service Commission. The legisl...
Example Local Governments

Cleveland OH Wind Zoning

Cleveland OH’s Zoning Code § 354 permits wind energy facilities by-right.
Example States and State Governments

Connecticut’s Law Banning Ratepayer Funding for Political Activity

Connecticut’s SB 7 prohibits utilities from using money from customers’ bills to pay for political activities, including lobbying and trade association dues. Utilities are required to file annual disc...
Example Executive Branch

FERC Order 2023

In 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released Order No. 2023, directing transmission providers to improve their interconnection processes, primarily by instituting a first-ready fi...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Guidance for Utilities Commissions on Time of Use Rates

A team of consumer and clean energy advocates authored a 2017 paper, Guidance for Utilities Commissions on Time of Use Rates, making recommendations on developing policy goals, program design, impleme...
Example Public Utilities

Sacramento Time of Use Pilot

Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s Time of Use Pilot (2012) was a multi-year pilot testing three time variant plans. Notably, the study found net benefits doubled when including a critical peak p...
Example States and State Governments

Nevada’s SB 300 (2019)

Nevada’s Senate Bill 300 (2019) directs state regulators to explore an alternative ratemaking process — including performance incentives, decoupling mechanisms, and earnings-sharing mechanisms — that ...
Resource Public Utilities

RAP reports on Utility Reform and Integrated Planning

The Regulatory Assistance Project has prepared a report, Leading Utility Regulatory Reform, highlighting key elements of a successful reform process (including scoping, creative process elements, stak...
Example States and State Governments

Connecticut’s Microgrid Grant and Loan Program

Connecticut’s Microgrid Grant and Loan Program (2012) has funded four rounds of grants to qualifying projects to study and build microgrids around critical facilities, defined as “any hospital, police...
Example Local Governments

Breckenridge, CO Solar Zoning for Historic Districts

Breckenridge, CO allows for the installation of solar panels only where it will not be detrimental to the character of the historic building. The code requires solar panels to be installed in a way so...
Example States and State Governments

California’s Solar Permitting Efficiency Act

California’s Solar Permitting Efficiency Act (2014) requires all 515 local governments to create an expedited, online solar permitting process for rooftop solar installations under 10 kW, and provides...
Example Public Utilities

Ohio’s PowerForward Collaborative

Ohio’s PowerForward Collaborative is an overarching grid modernization group led by PUCO staff. The Collaborative functions as an interactive forum to monitor and facilitate the evolution of a marketp...
Example Local Governments

Colorado Springs Renewable Energy Program

Colorado Springs Renewable Energy Program offers rebates of $0.25 per watt for solar systems, and up to 40% of total system costs could be covered by rebates and tax credits.
Resource States and State Governments

Model Community Solar Legislation

The Coalition for Community Solar Access has authored two sets of model community solar legislation for vertically integrated states and restructured states.
Resource Public Utilities

IREC’s BATRIES Toolkit

In March 2022, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) published its BATRIES Toolkit, which provides solutions to eight regulatory and technical barriers to the interconnection of energy storag...
Example Public Utilities

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative investments in DER

Hawaii’s Kauai Island Utility Cooperative signed contracts for 13 MW of solar and a 52 MWh battery with Solar City in 2015. In 2017, the Cooperative announced plans to purchase a 28 MW solar array and...
Example States and State Governments

NYS Clean Heat Program

Through the NYS Clean Heat program, electric utility companies offer rebates on both air and ground source heat pumps. Heat pumps are a more efficient heating and cooling option that eliminate fossil ...
Example Public Utilities

XCel Energy Time of Use pilot

Minnesota’s PUC approved a time-of-use pilot program proposed by X-Cel Energy expected to drive greater use of renewables and reduce peak demand. The two-year, 17,500-customer plan proposed by XCel En...
Resource States and State Governments

Low Income Solar Policy Guide

The Low Income Solar Policy Guide is a web-based resource dedicated to compiling best practices and resources for expanding solar access among low- and moderate-income communities. Fully enabling low-...
Example States and State Governments

Hawaii PUC Decision 33258

The Hawaii PUC’s decision 33258 (2015) required utilities to collaborate with inverter manufacturers to develop a reasonable self-certification process for advanced inverters even before national stan...
Example Public Utilities

Illinois Value of DER Proceeding

In April 2020, the Illinois Commerce Commission voted unanimously to initiate an investigation into an annual process and formula for calculating rebate values for customers with solar, wind or other ...
Example States and State Governments

Illinois’ Solar for All Program

Illinois’ Solar for All program, created by Illinois’s 2017 Future Energy Jobs Act, provides solar power to qualifying residents with no upfront cost, while guaranteeing them at least 50% savings on t...
Example Public Utilities

California Distribution Resources Plan process

Acting under Public Utilities Code section 769, the California PUC required its three major investor-owned utilities to file distribution resources plans by July 1, 2015, identifying optimal locations...
Resource States and State Governments

Colorado’s Geothermal Energy Legislation

In May 2022, Colorado enacted legislation encouraging of the use of geothermal energy by providing it similar treatment to solar energy. The legislation expressly includes geothermal as a renewable re...
Example States and State Governments

Connecticut’s HB 7006 (2020)

This 2020 legislation requires Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to investigate and develop a framework for implementing performance-based regulation for each electric distrib...
Resource Public Utilities

Distributed Power Plant Model Law and Model Tariff

“Virtual power plants” (VPPs) are an alternative to traditional grid upgrades, in which a utility aggregates various distributed energy resources (including rooftop solar, backup batteries, electric v...
Example States and State Governments

New Mexico’s Community Solar Act

In March 2021, New Mexico passed SB84, the Community Solar Act. The Act outlines the requirements for qualifications, ownership, administration, and rulemaking around community solar projects. Under t...
Example States and State Governments

Laurel MD solar microgrid

The Maryland Energy Administration awarded a grant to Standard Solar for the development of a large, entirely solar (402 kW) and battery powered microgrid in an office park in Laurel, MD, the first op...
Example Public Utilities

Massachusetts Net Metering Revisions

In February 2024, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued an order revising the state’s Net Metering Program regulations to allow for municipal and state-owned facilities to take advan...
Resource States and State Governments

SEIA TOU White Paper

The Solar Energy Industries Association has prepared a white paper, Getting More Granular, analyzing how time and location-specific values may change the economics for distributed energy projects.
Example States and State Governments

California Solar Initiative

The California Solar Initiative (2007-16) offered different incentive levels to residential solar customers of the state’s three major investor utilities, based on the performance of their solar panel...
Example States and State Governments

Maryland EO on Streamlining Permitting

In December 2024, Maryland’s governor signed an Executive Order establishing the Maryland Coordinated Permitting Review Council to facilitate interagency coordination and streamline permitting and env...
Example Local Governments

Laramie WY solar and wind zoning

Laramie’s Code of Ordinances (2017) allows for both solar and wind energy systems in all zoning districts, with no exceptions for homeowners association restrictions. These codes provide relaxed stand...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, UNLOCKING AMERICA’S ENERGY: How to Efficiently Connect New Generation to the Grid

The generator interconnection approval process has become a major barrier in recent years. The surge of generator interconnection requests has overwhelmed existing processes, causing major delays and ...
Example States and State Governments

Virgin Islands’ Solar and Wind Energy Systems Act

The Virgin Islands’ Solar and Wind Energy Systems Act voids all covenants, conditions and restrictions that prohibit the use of solar and wind energy.
Example States and State Governments

Vermont Energy Act

The Vermont Energy Act (2011) established the first standardized solar permitting law in the United States, providing a consistent permitting application that covers components configuration, and inte...
Example States and State Governments

Washington’s SB 5116

Washington’s 2019 SB 5116 grants the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) the authority to shift utilities from a return-on-capital business model to a performance-based model. Rather than pr...
Example States and State Governments

Virginia’s HB 1184 (2020)

Virginia’s HB 1184 (2020) promotes the establishment of distributed renewable solar and other renewable energy by, among other measures, requiring the State Corporation Commission to establish by regu...
Resource Local Governments

Tuoro Law Center’s Model Ordinance and Resource Guide on Zoning for Small- and Medium-Scale Wind Energy

The Tuoro Law Center has prepared a Model Ordinance and Resource Guide on Zoning for Small- and Medium-Scale Wind Energy. The report provides citations to examples of existing wind energy zoning in Ne...
Example States and State Governments

Michigan Law Granting PSC Additional Equity, Environmental Review Powers

In November, 2023, both houses of Michigan’s legislature passed SB 502, which makes changes to the enabling act for Michigan’s Public service Commission (PSC) to enhance its oversight over environment...
Example Local Governments

Georgetown TX renewable energy incentives

Georgetown, TX’s Code of Ordinances (2012) offers multiple incentives for renewable energy, including rebates for the installation and purchasing of equipment needed to install solar systems. Rebates ...
Example States and State Governments

Maryland’s Law Allowing Condo Associations to Lease Solar

Maryland’s SB1206 (2024) amends the Maryland Condominium Act to allow condominium associations to lease solar panels, energy storage systems, and EV chargers to help meet the state’s clean energy goal...
Example Local Governments

McCall ID’s Density Bonuses for Renewable Energy Installations

McCall provides a 10% bonus to density if 50% of the total energy needs of the development are provided by “solar, wind, geothermal, or [an] alternative renewable energy source.”
Example States and State Governments

New York’s Value of Distributed Energy Resources proceeding

New York’s Value of Distributed Energy Resources proceeding, a subtrack within the Reforming the Energy Vision Proceeding, continues to analyze the value of DERs including solar, but also considering ...
Example Local Governments

Ashland OR’s solar access permit law

Ashland OR’s Municipal Code 18.4.8 establishes a procedure for a obtaining a solar access permit to protect a solar energy system from vegetation that would shade the collector.
Example States and State Governments

California’s 1978 Solar Shade Control Act

California’s 1978 Solar Shade Control Act addresses shading from vegetation, but not from constructed obstructions. Problematically, it also treats claims as a private nuisance (increasing costs to en...
Example Public Utilities

Hawaii Performance-Based Regulation and Integrated Grid Planning proceedings

On April 18, 2018, the Public Utilities Commission of Hawaii (PUC) opened a Performance-Based Regulation proceeding to investigate the economic and policy issues associated with performance-based regu...
Example Public Utilities

New York’s Proactive Grid Planning Proceeding

In August, 2024, the New York State Public Service Commission commenced a proceeding to evaluate new energy loads from transportation and building electrification to proactively identify and develop f...
Example States and State Governments

Maine’s LD1682

Maine’s LD1682 adds reducing GHG emissions to meet reduction goals and addressing and mitigating disproportionate energy burdens on environmental justice populations, frontline communities, and utilit...
Example States and State Governments

Connecticut Shared Clean Energy Facility Pilot Program

Connecticut’s Shared Clean Energy Facility Pilot Program was established in response to Public Act 15-113, as amended by Public Act 16-116, as a two-year initiative to support the development of SCEFs...
Example Public Utilities

NYISO Market Rules for Energy Storage

In September 2020, the New York Independent System Operator announced the final step in a years-long process to open the NYISO’s wholesale energy markets to Energy Storage Resources (ESRs). This devel...
Resource Public Utilities

Eversource MA Geothermal District Heating Proposals

Eversource MA has proposed three different pilot projects to Massachusetts regulators in order to prove that networked geothermal systems — connecting a variety of residential and commercial establish...
Resource Local Governments

Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems Model Ordinance

This document is intended to provide guidance to local governments considering developing an ordinance or rules related to the development of utility-scale battery energy storage systems. The recommen...
Example Public Utilities

Mississippi’s Upfront Distributed Solar Incentive

The Mississippi Public Service Commission has approved a new net metering rule creating a $3,500 incentive for residents who install rooftop solar, per a July 2022 order. According to the new rule, at...
Example Public Utilities

Tucson Time of Use rate

Tucson Electric Power in Arizona received received approvalfor a new optional time-of-use rate which became the default rate for new customers starting in January 2019.
Resource States and State Governments

Report, Renewable Thermal in State Renewable Portfolio Standards

This 2018 report from the Clean Energy States Alliance provides an overview of how states across the country are incorporating renewable thermal technologies into their RPS programs. It covers technic...
Example States and State Governments

Michigan Resolution to Study DER Integration

Michigan Senate Resolution 0143 (2020) encourages the Michigan Public Service Commission to study reliability, interconnection, and related grid integration issues related to distributed energy resour...
Example States and State Governments

Maine’s LD 1766

Maine’s LD 1766 “An Act To Transform Maine’s Heat Pump Market To Advance Economic Security and Climate Objectives,” establishes the Heating Fuels Efficiency and Weatherization Fund, which has the goal...
Example States and State Governments

New Mexico’s Solar Rights Act

Amendments to New Mexico’s existing Solar Rights Act serve to prohibit cities from passing ordinances or codes and homeowners’ associations from passing covenants that forbid solar installations, with...
Example Local Governments

East Greenwich NJ’s Solar Zoning in Historic Districts

East Greenwich NJ’s zoning code allows solar panels and wind turbines to be constructed in a historical district if the use conforms to setback and height restrictions.
Example Local Governments

Vernon CT’s tax exemption for renewable energy systems

Vernon CT’s Code of Ordinances (2011) provides a tax exemption for the value of a renewable energy system attached to property that exceeds the amount of such property with conventional energy systems...
Example Local Governments

Model Code for Geothermal Permitting on Long Island

The Suffolk County Planning Commission (SCPC) decided to develop a fast-track permitting process for geothermal systems as it had previously implemented for solar and wind systems. The final code was ...
Example States and State Governments

Delaware Bill Expanding Community Renewables

In September 2021, Delaware enacted a law expanding eligibility for community-based solar photovoltaic systems in the State. The bill allows for multiple types of ownership models to exist and compete...
Example States and State Governments

New Jersey Interconnection Standards for Solar and Batteries

New Jersey’s S3308 requires electric public utilities to implement certain improvements to interconnection process for certain grid supply solar facilities and energy storage facilities. The law requi...
Example Public Utilities

Mississippi IRP Process

In 2019, the Mississippi Public Service Commission adopted a formal integrated resource planning process that requires utilities to consider distributed energy resources and demand-side management (in...
Resource States and State Governments

NCSL Report, Modernizing the Electric Grid: State Role and Policy Options

This 2019 report from the National Conference of State Legislatures was designed to assist state lawmakers in their efforts to gain an understanding of the many components of grid modernization. It al...
Example Local Governments

DC’s Solar for All Program

The Renewable Portfolio Standard Expansion Amendment Act of 2016 (D.C. Law 21-154) established the District of Columbia’s Solar for All program. Pursuant to the Act, Solar for All is funded by the Ren...
Resource Local Governments

Pace Resource Guide on Land Use Planning for Solar Energy

The Pace Land Use Law Center has published a Resource Guide on Land Use Planning for Solar Energy, which describes how a municipality may authorize a task force, engage the community, and adopt local ...
Resource States and State Governments

Massachusetts Proposed Act Driving Climate Policy Forward

In March, 2022, the Massachusetts Senate unveiled a sweeping climate bill aimed at helping the state meet its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050, which had been previously stipulated in 20...
Resource States and State Governments

Prohibiting Ratepayer Funds for Utility Lobbying Legislation Tracker

The Energy and Policy Institute has launched a tracker covering introduced and passed legislation aiming to prohibit ratepayer funds from being used to support utility lobbying efforts. At the time of...
Example Public Utilities

California Interconnection Rules Update

In mid-March, the California Public Utilities Commission approved new interconnection rules that take into account how, with the right structures in place, solar and solar-plus-battery systems can ben...
Example States and State Governments

New Jersey Community Solar Energy Pilot

New Jersey’s A3723/S2314 (2018) mandates the creation of the Community Solar Energy Pilot Program. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities adopted rules establishing the Community Solar Energy Pilot ...
Example Public Utilities

Hawaii Proceeding To Investigate Distributed Energy Resource Policies

On September 24, 2019, Hawaii’s PUC opened proceeding 2019-0323 to investigate the technical, economic, and policy issues associated with DER as they pertain specifically to Hawaiian Electric Company ...
Example Public Utilities

Connecticut’s Framework for an Equitable Modern Grid

In 2019, Connecticut’s Public Utility Regulatory Authority approved the framework for a plan to modernize the electric grid. PURA outlined its vision for the next several years, including a framework ...
Example Foreign

Richmond BC’s Alexandra District Energy Utility

Richmond, British Columbia, established the city-run Alexandra District Energy Utility to provide geothermal heating and cooling through Bylaw No. 8641 (2010). The Alexandra District Energy Utility is...
Resource States and State Governments

DOE report, Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments

Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments is a comprehensive resource DOE created to assist local governments and stakeholders in designing and implementing a strategic local solar ...
Example States and State Governments

New Hampshire RPS

New Hampshire’s SB 218, effective June 2012, created a Thermal Subclass in the state RPS, setting targets and requiring NHPUC to adopt procedures for the metering, verification, and reporting of usefu...
Example States and State Governments

Pennsylvania’s Solar for Schools Program

In July, Pennsylvania passed HB 1032, establishing the Solar for Schools Program. This program will cover the costs of the purchase and installation of solar equipment, permit fees, energy storage, ut...
Resource States and State Governments

NREL report: State Considerations for Designing Community Solar Policy

The National Renewable Energy Lab published a 2018 report on State Considerations for Designing Community Solar Policy analyzing the impacts of program caps, project size caps, subscriber location req...
Resource Local Governments

Bay City MI Code on Solar in Historic Districts.

The Bay City Michigan Code approves of solar systems in historic districts and provides guidelines for the installation of solar panels on rooflines. The historic district commission must approve any ...
Example Public Utilities

FPL SolarTogether

In March 2020, Florida Power & Light Company got approval from the Florida Public Service Commission to launch FPL SolarTogether, the largest community solar program in the country at the time of laun...
Example States and State Governments

Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard

Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard includes a tier for useful thermal energy from the production of electricity, essentially qualifying CHP. It also includes demand-side management r...
Example States and State Governments

Minneapolis Wind and Solar Ordinances

Minneapolis codified separate ordinances (2007) to govern wind and solar energy systems in all districts. These ordinances address height, encroachment and setbacks, and aesthetic requirements, and pe...
Example Public Utilities

NY Smart Home Rate Demonstration Projects

As part of the Reforming the Energy Vision proceeding, the NY PSC has approved several utilities to conduct Smart Home Rate demonstration projects. The projects will combine smart home capabilities wi...
Resource Local Governments

Stoughton WI small wind ordinance

Stoughton’s Code of Ordinances (2009) provides specific setback and height requirements for small wind energy systems.
Example States and State Governments

Maine’s Legislation Barring Ratepayer Funds for Political Purposes

Maine’s LD 325 prohibits investor-owned utilities from charging customers for costs related to political activities.
Example Public Utilities

National Grid’s Voluntary Time of Use Rate for EVs

National Grid offers its NY customers a voluntary time-of-use rate for charging electric vehicles during the off-peak hours of 11pm to 7am. Most EVs can be programmed to charge during these hours usin...
Example States and State Governments

California Community Solar Law (2022)

In September 2022, California enacted a new community solar law designed to avoid the pitfalls that past legislative attempts on this issue had fallen into. AB 2316 adds a new focus on grid reliabilit...
Example States and State Governments

Oregon Senate Bill 978

Senate Bill 978 created an open investigation into multiple aspects of the regulatory structure, including rate design, revenue regulation, grid modernization, integrated resource planning, and others...
Example States and State Governments

Maryland’s 2019’s Clean Energy Jobs Act

With 2019’s Clean Energy Jobs Act, Maryland’s RPS upped the carve-out requirement specifically for solar production, requiring that a total of 14.5% of retail electricity sales come from solar resourc...
Resource States and State Governments

Report, Equitable Community Solar: Policy and Program Guidance for Community Solar Programs that Promote Racial and Economic Equity

This 2020 report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance provides guidance for creating community solar programs that promote racial and economic equity. It defines what makes a community solar pro...
Resource States and State Governments

EPA’s Clean Energy Finance Tool

EPA’s Clean Energy Finance Tool is an Excel Tool designed to help municipalities and states make informed choices about the best program(s) for their jurisdictions from among the following options: re...
Example Local Governments

Austin TX’s RPS

Austin TX’s RPS goal is 65% of electricity consumption from renewables by 2025, which is among the most ambitious targets in the country. Within the RPS, the City Council approved a solar carve-out in...
Example Local Governments

Hartford CT Renewable Energy Zoning

Hartford permits building-mounted solar and roof-mounted wind energy systems as an accessory structure by right within all jurisdictions, subject to use-specific regulations. Freestanding wind and sol...
Example States and State Governments

New Hampshire’s Group Net Metering program

New Hampshire’s Group Net Metering program (2013) allows multiple customers to engage with a common, non-utility owned DG system up to 1 MW, using solar, wind, or certain other renewables defined by l...
Example Local Governments

Newberry, FL Solar Zoning in Historic Districts

Newbury FL’s zoning code provides that land development regulation administrator may issue a certificate of appropriateness for the installation of solar panels on historic buildings; and that solar p...
Example Local Governments

DC’s Law 22-257 (2019)

DC’s Law 22-257 (2019) increases the Renewable Portfolio Standard to 100% by 2032, and establishes a solar energy standard post 2032. In terms of qualifying resources, DC’s RPS allows for solar therma...
Resource Local Governments

Bedford NY’s Solar Zoning Provisions

The Town of Bedford, New York allows solar energy collectors by-right in all districts. The solar energy collectors are designated as accessory buildings and structures and must comply with the buildi...
Resource Local Governments

Massachusetts DOER Model Zoning for the Regulation of Solar Energy Systems

The Massachusetts Dept. of Energy Resources prepared 2014 model zoning and accompanying guidance in order to assist Massachusetts cities and towns in establishing reasonable standards to facilitate de...
Resource States and State Governments

IREC Shared Renewables Resources

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council hosts a variety of resources related to shared renewables, including Model Rules for Shared Renewable Energy Programs, a National Shared Renewables Energy Score...
Example States and State Governments

Colorado’s Investigation of Performance-Based Ratemaking Proceeding

On December 5, 2019, the Public Utilities Commission of Colorado opened the Investigation of Performance-Based Ratemaking Proceeding (19M-0661EG) in order to gather information and explore performance...
Example Local Governments

NYC’s geothermal screening tool

NYC’s Local Law No. 6 directed the city to develop a screening tool for determining whether a geothermal system may be cost-effective for a property.
Example States and State Governments

New Mexico’s Solar Rights Act

New Mexico’s 1977 Solar Rights Act employs a prior appropriation regime and address shading from both human obstructions and from vegetation.
Example Local Governments

Stoughton WI Renewable Zoning

In 2018, Stoughton WI enacted a local ordinance that allows solar and wind energy production, by-right, in every zoning district. The systems must comply with regulations and limitations set forth for...
Resource Public Utilities

RMI’s Performance Incentive Mechanism Database

Performance Incentives Mechanisms (PIMs) are an evolving tool in the utility regulator’s toolkit, whereby regulators may link utility earnings to achieving certain system or social goals, such as incr...
Example Public Utilities

New York’s Community Distributed Generation program

New York’s Community Distributed Generation program (2015) allows multiple customers to engage with a common, non-utility-owned DG system up to 5 MW, using solar, wind, or certain other renewables def...
Resource Local Governments

NYSERDA Model Solar Energy Local Law and Solar Guidebook for Local Governments

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has prepared a Model Solar Energy Local Law inform local officials on the processes of installing, operating, maintaining and decommissioni...
Example States and State Governments

Massachusetts laws on solar easements and solar access rights

Massachusetts General Laws 187-1A provides conditions for creating a solar easement. Massachusetts General Laws 40A-9B on solar access rights provides municipal governments with authority and guidance...
Example Local Governments

San Francisco’s solar incentives

San Francisco’s Environment Code (2017) offers a series of incentives for residential installation of solar panels, including a rebate up to $500.00 per kWh. If the panels are installed by an individu...
Resource States and State Governments

MIT Report, The Future of the Electric Grid

MIT’s 2020 study, The Future of the Electric Grid, aims to provide a comprehensive, objective portrait of the U.S. electric grid and the challenges and opportunities it is likely to face over the next...
Resource Private Entities

ELPC handbook on Community Wind Financing

The Environmental Law and Policy Center has prepared a handbook on Community Wind Financing, guiding project champions and developers through best practices on financing community wind projects, inclu...
Resource States and State Governments

Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act

This 900-page energy and climate bill, passed in September 2021, covers a variety of subject areas, listed below: On electricity: The bill raises the renewable portfolio standard to require 40 percent...
Resource Executive Branch

FERC Order 2222

In September 2020, FERC issued Order 2222, paving the way for aggregated distributed energy resources (DERs) to compete alongside traditional power plants and other grid resources in wholesale markets...
Resource States and State Governments

Report, Community Solar Funding and Financing Options

This primer from the National Association of State Energy Officials outlines policy options to advance community solar in the low- and moderate-income market, including leveraging LIHEAP funds, variou...
Example Local Governments

Winder GA’s property tax exemption for solar

Winder’s Code of Ordinances (2017) exempts from property tax assessment all tangible property used for solar energy heating or cooling, consisting of equipment used to manufacture of solar energy syst...
Example Public Utilities

California PUC’s Intervenor Compensation Program

The California PUC’s Intervenor Compensation Program allows qualified parties in proceedings before the Commission to request compensation for their participation (allowable fees and costs), including...
Example States and State Governments

Maryland Resiliency Hub Legislation

In April 2022, Maryland adopted SB256 to provide grants for microgrid and community solar projects at resiliency hubs serving low-income and moderate-income households during extended grid outages. Pe...
Example Public Utilities

Hawaii PUC’s decision 33258

The Hawaii PUC’s decision 33258 (2015) required utilities to collaborate with inverter manufacturers to develop a reasonable self-certification process for advanced inverters even before national stan...
Example Public Utilities

California Grid Data Reliability Order

In October, 2024, the California Public Utilities Commission issued a decision addressing the accuracy and timeliness of public grid data from utilities. The grid data portion of the ruling addresses ...
Example Local Governments

Warwick RI’s tax exemption for renewable energy system.

Warwick RI’s Code of Ordinances (2017) creates a tax exemption for additional value added by a renewable energy system.
Resource Public Utilities

2025 California Demand Response Potential Study

A Lawrence Berkeley National Labs report analyzing California’s Demand Response programs concluded that well-designed time-of-use rates could also optimize the use of DER for grid services and limit i...
Example States and State Governments

Colorado’s Community Solar program

Colorado’s Community Solar program (2011) allows multiple customers to engage with a common, utility- or non-utility-owned solar system up to 2 MW. Crediting is based on a total aggregate retail rate,...
Example Local Governments

National City CA’s Solar Zoning Zoning for Historic Buildings

National City, CA’s zoning code provides that solar panels on historic buildings should be installed in locations that are not visible from a public way, that run parallel to the original roofline, th...
Example States and State Governments

Minnesota Performance-Based Regulation proceeding

Minnesota legislation (Stat. 216B.16) allowed the PUC to “initiate a proceeding to determine a set of performance measures that can be used to assess a utility operating under a multiyear rate plan.” ...
Resource States and State Governments

RAP TOU Resources

The Regulatory Assistance Project develops knowledge and best practices pertaining to rate design, including specific resources on time of use rates.
Example Local Governments

Hinesburg VT’s Density Bonuses for Renewable Energy Installations

Hinesburg provides density bonuses to developers in exchange for providing public benefits that help further the goals expressed in the town plan, including renewable energy technology. Developers are...
Example States and State Governments

Maine’s LD 1494

Maine’s LD 1494 (2019) updated the State’s RPS to require the creation of a new thermal portfolio standard to incentivize efficient heating and cooling installations. In March, 2020, the Maine PUC ope...
Example Public Utilities

North Carolina Order Preserving TOU for Net Metering

In March 2023, the North Carolina PUC approved a section of a stakeholder agreement that replaces Net Energy Metering (NEM) credits with a time of use rate by 2027. Previously, credits were worth betw...
Example Local Governments

Watertown MN’s solar ordinance

Watertown MN’s Code of Ordinances (2016) creates a set of guidelines specifically for the placement of home solar systems.
Resource Public Utilities

AWEA database on Integrated Resource Planning efforts

The American Wind Energy Association maintains a members-only database of Integrated Resource Planning efforts across the country in order to track what utilities and jurisdictions may be looking to a...
Resource States and State Governments

EDF Report, Encouraging the Development of Distributed Energy Resources in Texas

A Sept. 2020 report from Environmental Defense Fund outlines the actions Texas legislators, regulators and local decision makers can take to spur investment in and adoption of clean, distributed energ...
Resource Local Governments

New York Model Zoning for Battery Storage

NYSERDA published this model law, intended to help New York local government officials adopt legislation and regulations to responsibly accommodate battery energy storage systems in their communities....
Example Public Utilities

Proposed Rhode Island Opt-Out Time Varying Rates Program

In November 2017, National Grid filed a plan to implement an opt-out time varying rates program by 2022. In August 2018, the Rhode Island Commission requested further development of the advanced meter...
Resource States and State Governments

NREL Report, Design and Implementation of Community Solar Programs for Low- and Moderate-Income Customers

This 2018 report from NREL draws from the literature and from interviews with representatives from low- and moderate-income (LMI) solar developers and state LMI community solar programs to provide exp...
Example States and State Governments

Michigan Resolution on Studying Rate Design Options

Michigan’s Senate Resolution 0142 (2020) encourages the Michigan Public Service Commission to undertake a study into alternative and innovative rate design options for Michigan’s electric customers. T...
Example States and State Governments

California’s SB 1339

California’s SB 1339 (2018) requires the CPUC to develop regulations, standards, and guidelines by December 1, 2020, to facilitate the commercialization of microgrids for customers of large electric u...
Resource Local Governments

NREL’s SolarAPP

In late 2020, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released a no-cost, no-touch software system for cities and counties across the country to streamline rooftop solar permits, called SolarA...
Example States and State Governments

California’s Solar Initiative Thermal Program

California’s Solar Initiative Thermal Program offers cash rebates of up to $4,366 on solar water heating systems for single-family residential customers, and up to $800,000 for multifamily and commerc...
Resource Local Governments

Sabin Center’s model small-scale solar-siting ordinance

Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law has prepared a model small-scale solar-siting ordinance. The ordinance would govern all new solar energy systems of up to 10 kilowatts, and in...
Example Local Governments

District Energy St. Paul

In 1983, the City of St. Paul granted a franchise to District Energy St. Paul, Inc. to operate a district energy system within St. Paul and sell the energy to residents of the City. District Energy re...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Opportunities for Integrating Electric and Gas Planning

To successfully electrify traditionally gas-powered sectors, Public Utility Commissions should consider integrating the planning process of public gas and electric utilities, according to a January 20...
Example States and State Governments

NY’s Clean Energy Communities Program

New York’s Clean Energy Communities Program incentivizes local governments with grants and coordination assistance to meet four of ten designated high impact actions, one of which is the adoption of a...
Example States and State Governments

New Mexico’s Energy Grid Modernization Roadmap (HB 233)

The Energy Grid Modernization Roadmap (HB 233) directs the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to develop a strategic plan for energy grid modernization and to establish a competitive gr...
Example States and State Governments

Michigan Bans HOAs from Prohibiting Distributed Energy

A Michigan law passed in June 2024 will prohibit HOAs in the state from banning rooftop solar and other energy-efficiency updates, like heat pumps, electric vehicle chargers, and clotheslines. Under t...
Example States and State Governments

Illinois’ Future Energy Jobs Act

Illinois’ 2017 Future Energy Jobs Act calls for updates to Illinois’ renewable portfolio standards, net metering, and energy efficiency standards, as well as a new zero emissions credits plan. Under t...
Resource States and State Governments

On Distributed Resource Planning

LPDD Recommendation: “State PUCs should require utilities to file ‘distributed resource plans’ (DRPs) or locational value maps showing at which locations DG resources are most needed and best deployed...
Example Local Governments

Schaumberg IL Renewable Energy Zoning and Handbook

Schaumberg Illinois saw a 3,000% increase in solar permits following a code revision process that saw them simplify the requirements for solar permitting. The town has created a resource guide that ex...
Resource States and State Governments

NREL Report, Focusing the Sun: State Considerations for Designing Community Solar Policy

This 2018 NREL report summarizes outcomes from the NCSP State Best Practices working group by identifying key differences in state policies that enable community solar and illustrating how various pol...
Example Local Governments

Cheshire CT’s property tax exemptions for solar heating or cooling

Cheshire CT’s Code of Ordinances (2017) provides property tax exemptions for solar heating or cooling systems; those wanting to qualify must apply and the exemption is good for 15 years after construc...
Example States and State Governments

Hawaii’s solar water heater system requirement

Hawaii’s Energy Resources Code (2008) requires that every new single-family dwelling shall have a “solar water heater system.”
Resource Executive Branch

FERC Proposed Rules to Speed Up Project Interconnections

In June 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking outlining a plan to speed up and streamline what’s become a slow and expensive process of connecting new s...
Example States and State Governments

NY Prize Program

The New York Prize program provides funding for microgrid development in three phases: first, a $100,000 prize for qualifying projects to conduct a screening study of microgrid feasibility; second, a ...
Resource Private Entities

Coalition for Community Solar Access

The Coalition for Community Solar Access is a national coalition of businesses and non-profits working to expand community solar. They work with customers, utilities, local stakeholders, and policymak...
Resource Private Entities

Windustry and Midwest Wind Energy Center

Windustry is a nonprofit organization working to advance community wind projects across the Midwest, developing information and tools for evaluating wind energy easement contracts, landowner options, ...
Example States and State Governments

California Civil Code Section 714(a)

California Civil Code Section 714(a) provides that “Any covenant, restriction, or condition in any deed contract, security instrument, or other instrument affecting the transfer or sale of, or any gen...
Example States and State Governments

California AB 2868

California’s AB 2868 (2016) encouraged investor-owned utilities to develop up to 500 MW of storage (in addition to the existing 1325 MW storage mandate), of which up to 25% may be behind-the-meter.
Resource Private Entities

Grid Alternatives

Grid Alternatives is a nonprofit organization that brings together community partners, volunteers, and job-trainees to install solar power and energy efficiency improvements for low income families. T...
Example Local Governments

Milwaukee Shines

Milwaukee Shines is a program for affordable financing to purchase solar panels, which coordinates group buys of renewable energy generation systems, and provides other cost reducing incentives.
Example Local Governments

Schaumberg IL District Energy System Zoning

Schaumburg, IL explicitly encourages the safe, effective, and efficient development of district energy systems (DESs) in its zoning code, permitting both commercial and residential construction of DES...
Model Law States and State Governments

MCLI Model Law - Balcony or Plug-in Solar

Small-scale distributed solar-powered generation has a variety of benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas and other air pollutant emissions, increased electricity reliability, and decreased electri...
Example Local Governments

New York’s “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality” Initiative

The New York City Council approved the “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality” plan in December 2023, a set of citywide zoning changes making it easier to install a variety of distributed energy resources...
Example Local Governments

Kenai AK’s property tax exemption for renewables

Kenai Peninsula Borough AK’s Code of Ordinances (2018) provides that residential renewable energy systems are exempt from real property tax, though residents must file an application to be exempt.
Example States and State Governments

Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden program

Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden program (2014) allows multiple customers to engage with a common, utility- or non-utility owned solar system up to 1 MW. Crediting is based on a Value of Solar analy...
Example Public Utilities

Arizona Public Service Company’s Solar Communities Program

In 2017, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved Arizona Public Service Company’s (APS) Solar Communities Program, a $45 million program that funds utility-owned PV system installations on low- to...
Resource Local Governments

Sustainable CUNY’s Model Solar Energy Law and Toolkit

Sustainable CUNY’s Model Solar Energy Law and Toolkit (2016) was designed to help communities adopt zoning provisions that promote solar energy systems while protecting community character and the env...
Example States and State Governments

Connecticut’s Value of DER Proceeding

Connecticut’s Public Act 19-35 (2019), among other things, required the Public Service Commission to institute a proceeding establishing the value of distributed energy resources, proceeding 19-06-29....
Example States and State Governments

Hawaii’s Proceeding to Investigate DER Policies

In 2014, Hawaii engaged in a proceeding to devise a valuation scheme for distributed resources, including solar. The proceeding culminated in a 2017 Order that created separate interim rates for solar...
Resource States and State Governments

IREC Report, Shared Renewable Energy for Low- to Moderate-Income Consumers: Policy Guidelines and Model Provisions

IREC’s _Shared Renewable Energy for Low-to Moderate-Income Consumers:Policy Guidelines and Model Provisions_provides information and tools for policymakers, regulators, utilities, shared renewable ene...
Example Local Governments

Georgia Model Solar Zoning Ordinance

This 2018 model ordinance, published by Emory Law School’s Turner Environmental Law Clinic, Georgia Institute of Technology’s Strategic Energy Institute, and the University of Georgia, provides a comp...
Resource Public Utilities

DC’s Proposed Light Touch Microgrid Regulation

Utility regulators in Washington, D.C., are considering a “lightened regulation” or “light touch” approach to microgrid rules, in an effort to facilitate deployment of more renewable energy and storag...
Example Local Governments

Minneapolis Renewable Energy Zoning

Minneapolis MN’s Zoning Code Chapter 535 Articles X and XII permit the production of both wind and solar energy in all zoning districts.
Resource Local Governments

Annapolis, MD Clean Energy Loan Program

The Annapolis Clean Energy Program finances and encourages energy efficiency projects and renewable energy projects with an electric generating capacity of not more than one hundred kilowatts. On the ...
Example Local Governments

Schaumburg IL’s district energy zoning provisions

Schaumburg IL’s zoning code (2016) explicitly encourages the safe, effective, and efficient development of district energy systems in its zoning code, permitting both commercial and residential constr...
Example Local Governments

West Lake Hills TX Solar Zoning

West Lake Hills, TX, Code of Ordinances § 22.03.009 allows the use of solar energy devices in all zones.
Example Public Utilities

Oregon PUC’s intervenor funding

Oregon’s PUC has authorized several rounds of intervenor funding, administered through utilities, for organizations representing broad customer interests in commission proceedings. Recent Senate repor...
Example States and State Governments

New York’s Expanded Local Building and Planning Requirements

New Yorks S00391 (2021) amends state language that requires towns and villages to consider solar PV systems in their local building and planning regulations to also accommodate solar thermal, wind, hy...
Example States and State Governments

Hawaii’s Community-Based Renewable Energy Program

Act 100 (2015) established the Hawaii community-based renewable energy (CBRE) program, which generally envisioned electric utility customers participating with qualified projects in exchange for bill ...
Example States and State Governments

Colorado’s Grid Modernization Legislation

In May, 2024, Colorado passed grid modernization legislation that will require utilities serving 500,000 customers or more (that is, Xcel Energy) to upgrade their distribution systems to support the s...
Example Local Governments

Houston’s Solar Zoning in Historic Districts

Houston’s zoning code permits construction of solar panels in historic districts on the front part of the roof upon the grant of a certificate of appropriateness. On the rear part of the roof no certi...
Resource Congress

Proposed CLEAN Future Act (2020)

The proposed Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future Act (2020) is a large, economy-wide climate bill released by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Among ...
Resource Public Utilities

Arizona Residential Battery Storage Program

In Sept. 2020, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved the state’s first residential battery storage program — an incentive pilot proposed in August by the Arizona Public Service Company. The Ariz...
Resource States and State Governments

Massachusetts STAR Program

The Solar Technical Assistance Retrofits program, or STAR, in Massachusetts has secured $10 million to invest in up to 3 megawatts of solar projects on affordable housing buildings. The program will o...
Resource States and State Governments

Minnesota Value of Solar study

Minnesota’s 2014 Value of Solar study provided a template for how to consider the various types of value that solar systems provide to the grid and society, including peak load reduction, environmenta...
Example States and State Governments

Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program

The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program incorporates an Energy Shared Storage Adder to a more traditional renewable incentive program. Solar projects that participate are eligible to ...
Example Public Utilities

Con Edison’s Commercial Battery Storage Project

In New York, Con Edison’s Commercial Battery Storage Project seeks a new ownership model whereby the utility sites batteries at customer sites which it is free to draw on during peak periods, but whic...
Example States and State Governments

Nevada’s AB465 (2019)

Nevada’s AB465 (2019) requires electric utilities to offer an expanded solar access program to residential customers and to certain nonresidential customers who consume less than 10,000 kilowatt-hours...
Resource Public Utilities

Austin Energy’s Value of Solar tariff

Austin Energy’s Value of Solar tariff was first-in-the-nation, and developed a methodology based on a value stack including avoided energy value, avoided plant O&M value, avoided generation capacity v...
Example Private Entities

Resonant Energy’s Solar Equity Platform

A Massachusetts renewable energy company hopes to help low-income consumers nationwide access the financial benefits of clean energy with a new platform that allows homeowners to share excess solar cr...
Example Public Utilities

Con Edison’s Shared Solar Pilot

In 2017, New York’s Public Service Commission approved Consolidated Edison’s Shared Solar Pilot, allowing the utility to procure and install 3 MW of community solar generation on Con Edison’s property...
Resource Public Utilities

RAP Report, Time-Varying Rates in New England: Opportunities for Reform

Although some New England utilities offer modernized rates for special applications, like electric vehicles and battery storage, there is substantial room for improvement in time-varying residential p...
Example Public Utilities

PJM’s Grid of the Future Report

In May 2022, the PJM Interconnection released a roadmap for handling the various changes affecting its system, including the retirement of fossil-fueled generation, growth in renewable energy and stor...
Example Public Utilities

Massachusetts Geo-Grid Pilots

In Massachusetts, three natural gas utilities are pursuing geo-grid pilot projects. Throughout 2022, utilities Eversource, National Grid and Columbia Gas plan to break ground on separate pilot project...
Example Public Utilities

New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision proceeding

The Reforming the Energy Vision proceeding in New York is a comprehensive effort to change how utilities perform system planning, what financial incentives they face, how they make use of distributed ...
Example Public Utilities

Vermont’s Group Net Metering program

Vermont’s Group Net Metering program (2009) allows multiple customers to engage with a common, non-utility owned DG system up to 500 kW, using solar, wind, or certain other renewables defined by law. ...
Example Public Utilities

Massachusetts DER Planning Proceeding

October 22, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) initiated this proceeding to investigate utility distributed energy resource planning and the assignment and recovery of costs ...
Example Public Utilities

California Integrated Distributed Energy Resources proceeding

California’s Integrated Distributed Energy Resources proceeding included a competitive solicitation incentive pilot and a utility regulatory incentive mechanism pilot which will facilitate the deploym...
Example Local Governments

Pearisburg VA’s property tax exemption for solar

Pearisburg, VA’s Code of Ordinances (2014) exempts certified solar energy equipment, facilities, and devices from property taxation. The amount of the exemption is determined by deducting the property...
Example States and State Governments

Montana’s Value of Solar analysis

Some jurisdictions have engaged in Value-of-Solar type analysis with the effect of diminishing the value of solar energy produced below what it would have received under net metering, including Montan...
Example States and State Governments

Virginia Adds Geothermal to RPS

Virginia’s SB508 (2024) makes geothermal heating and cooling systems located within the state eligible resources under the state’s renewable portfolio standard.
Resource Executive Branch

Green Tax Incentive Compendium

Robinson and Cole, a large law firm with offices across the United States, maintains and annually updated Green Tax Incentive Compendium, which collects federal and state tax incentives for renewable ...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Procedural Equity at Public Utility Commissions: Developing a Baseline Assessment of Barriers and Opportunities

This January 2024 report from the Institute for Policy Integrity focuses on the efforts of state Public Utility Commissions to enhance procedural justice, that is, to ensure that disadvantaged communi...
Example States and State Governments

Wisconsin’s RPS

Wisconsin’s RPS allows certain resources that produce a measurable and verifiable displacement of conventional electricity resources to also qualify as eligible resources, including solar water heater...
Resource Executive Branch

DOE’s National Community Solar Partnership

The National Community Solar Partnership is a DOE-convened coalition of community solar stakeholders — state, local, and tribal governments, utilities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and others ...
Example States and State Governments

Michigan DG Property Assessment Exclusion

Michigan’s Act No. 116 (2019) excluded certain types of distributed generation from the assessed value of property, deeming them part of “normal repairs, replacement, and maintenance.” Systems less th...
Example States and State Governments

California’s Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing Program

The SOMAH program will provide up to $100 million in rebates annually for the next decade to put solar on multifamily affordable housing in California, while allowing tenants to access the benefits. E...
Example Local Governments

DC’s MEDSIS proceeding

The District commenced a Modernizing the Energy Delivery System for Increased Sustainability (MEDSIS) in 2015, which, in Phase 2, considered separate tracks related to data and information access and ...
Example States and State Governments

Virginia’s Grid Transformation and Security Act (2018)

Virginia’s Grid Transformation and Security Act of 2018 aims to return money to utility customers, unwind an existing rate freeze, reform the oversight process for electric utilities, and establish a ...
Example States and State Governments

Oregon’s HB 2021 (2021)

In June 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed HB2021 to require that retail electricity providers reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sold to Oregon consumers 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035, ...
Example States and State Governments

Florida’s Solar Rights Law

Florida’s Solar Rights Law (Statutes 163.04) prohibits any covenant, condition or restriction that prohibits the use of solar energy.
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Principles and Recommendations for Utility Participation in Solar Programs for Low-Income Customers

In considering the roles utilities can and should play in making solar available for low-income households and underserved communities, this 2020 report from Grid Alternatives, The Environmental Law a...
Resource Public Utilities

RAP report, Electric Cost Allocation for a New Era

RAP’s 2020 manual focuses on cost allocation practices for electric utilities in the United States and their implications, acknowledging that charting a new path on cost allocation is an important par...
Resource Local Governments

Grow Solar Local Government Toolkits and Model Ordinances

Grow Solar Toolkits are a set of resources to assist city, county, community and electric utility leaders in the implementation of solar program best practices. They provide advice on permitting, plan...
Resource States and State Governments

Maryland Value of Solar analysis

Some jurisdictions have engaged in Value-of-Solar type analysis with the effect of diminishing the value of solar energy produced below what it would have received under net metering, including Maryla...
Example States and State Governments

Arkansas Act 464

On July 24, 2019, Arkansas’ governor signed Act 464, which made fundamental changes to expand net metering in Arkansas. Key changes include: authorizing third-party leasing of net metering facilities,...
Example States and State Governments

New Jersey Solar Ready Requirement for New Warehouses

In November 2021, New Jersey enacted A3352, requiring all new warehouses containing 100,000 square feet or more to reserve at least 40% of its roof space for the future installation of a solar facilit...
Example States and State Governments

Massachusetts’ Neighborhood Net Metering and Community Shared Solar programs

Massachusetts’ Neighborhood Net Metering and Community Shared Solar programs (originally passed as part of An Act Relating to Green Communities, 2009) allows multiple customers to engage with a common...
Example Public Utilities

Hawaiian Electric’s Customer Self-Supply Program

Hawaiian Electric’s Customer Self-Supply Program provides expedited review and approval for rooftop solar systems, coupled with advanced inverters and storage, that do not export power onto the grid.
Example Local Governments

Bethany Beach DE Solar Zoning

Bethany Beach DE’s zoning code permits the use of solar energy systems in all districts subject to minimal regulations.
Resource Local Governments

APA report, Planning for Solar Energy

The American Planning Association offers resources on planning and zoning for solar energy, including sample ordinances on topics such as solar access, solar siting, and solar energy systems. Their gu...
Resource Executive Branch

FERC Order 841

FERC Order 841 required RTOs and ISOs to revise their tariffs to establish market rules that facilitate the participation of electric storage resources in the capacity, energy, and ancillary service m...
Resource States and State Governments

ABA Model Solar Access Law

Working under the ABA’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, the law firm Fulbright & Jaworski crafted model solar energy access legislation in 2010, which covers all forms of solar energy a...
Resource Public Utilities

RAP resources on Time of Use rates

The Regulatory Assistance Project develops knowledge and best practices pertaining to rate design, including specific resources on time of use rates.
Example States and State Governments

Hawaii’s Energy Resources Code 196-7

Hawaii’s Energy Resources Code 196-7 prohibits all covenants, conditions or restrictions from preventing a homeowner from installing solar energy, and moreover requires all homeowners associations pro...
Resource States and State Governments

Report, The True Value of Solar

Energy America has written a report summarizing the grid and social benefits that are essential to capture in a value of solar analysis.
Resource States and State Governments

RAP primers on net metering alternatives

The Regulatory Assistance Project has presented background primers on Value of Solar analysis and the options being considered as alternatives to net metering.
Resource States and State Governments

Connecticut’s Performance-Based Regulation Order

In April 2023, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) issued a Final Decision as part of its investigation into a Performance-Based Regulation (PBR) framework for the state’s ele...
Example States and State Governments

National Standard Practice Manual for Benefit-Cost Analysis of Distributed Energy Resources

Of special interest to jurisdictions considering revising tariffs for distributed energy resources or valuing efficiency or electrification initiatives, in August 2020 the National Energy Screening Pr...
Example States and State Governments

Maryland’s Geothermal Pilots Law

Maryland’s geothermal pilots law, enacted in May 2024, requires gas utilities serving more than 75,000 customers to develop proposals for network geothermal pilot projects by July 1, 2025. The proposa...
Example States and State Governments

Connecticut’s SB356

This bill directs the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to use available federal or other funds to establish an energy efficiency retrofit grant program. The program must a...
Example Public Utilities

New York Clean Heat and Building Efficiency Funding

In January 2020, the New York State Public Service Commission has approved a set of energy efficiency and electric heat pump targets to reduce energy consumption in New York. The Order established a t...
Example Public Utilities

New York’s Distributed System Implementation Plans

In New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision proceeding, the Public Service Commission required utilities to file Distributed System Implementation Plans (2015) that identified how the utility would asse...
Example States and State Governments

NYSERDA Clean Thermal District Systems Program

NYSERDA has been authorized to administer a $15 million program to support development and demonstration of low-carbon Clean Thermal District Systems installations. This program will drive exploration...
Model Law States and State Governments

LPDD Model Law: State Law to Simplify Permit Requirements for Distributed Solar

This model law is targeted at reducing the various “soft costs” associated with the installation of residential solar facilities, such as the expenses associated with obtaining permits, inspections, a...
Example States and State Governments

Rhode Island’s Power Sector Transformation proceeding

In 2017, Rhode Island’s governor requested the PUC embark on a Power Sector Transformation proceeding. The PUC responded with a Phase One report later that year identifying work to be done developing ...
Example Public Utilities

National Grid’s Fruit Belt Community Solar Pilot in Buffalo, NY

National Grid’s Fruit Belt Neighborhood Solar Demonstration Project consisted of installing 74 rooftop solar PV systems totaling 500 kW of generation capacity within a single low- and moderate-income ...
Example States and State Governments

Oregon’s SB 1547

Oregon’s SB 1547 boosted the state’s renewable energy mandate to 50 percent renewables by 2040. Section 28 of SB 1547 requires the Oregon Public Utility Commission to establish a program for the procu...