As electricity demand and costs grow, Connecticut needs to make sure renewable energy programs that are flexible, predictable, and affordable to consumers become more available.

Legislation we passed earlier this month takes important and practical steps to modernize our renewable energy programs while improving affordability for everyone.

This comprehensive energy bill includes targeted community solar programs for customers who cannot install rooftop solar themselves. This will help expand access to clean energy savings by creating dedicated solar rates for: 

• Low-income residents 
• Residents in distressed municipalities 
• Multifamily housing residents 

The legislation also allows for the first time, plug in solar, which makes solar more accessible to homeowners and renters who might not otherwise be eligible for solar. These programs work best in tandem for smart metered customers.

In addition, the bill encourages residential solar to be paired with storage. While solar alone generates power during the day, pairing it with storage allows that energy to be used when demand and electricity costs are highest. This will help improve grid reliability and reduce peak demand.

A variety of studies regarding solar and environmental impacts in the state related to farmland preservation, storage pairing, job creatin and rate payer impact will also be conducted.

You can read more about our renewable energy bill in this article from CT NewsJunkie.