The California State Assembly passed a bill Sunday that could spur more distributed energy sources like solar power to be built in the state.
Senate Bill 905, which was introduced by Sen. Josh Becker (D-13) in January, is concerned more efficient grid utilization and reducing electricity costs for utility customers, and directs utility operators to seek new sources of electrical generation.
“With rising energy demand and some of the highest electricity costs in the country, California cannot afford to leave valuable capacity sitting unused on the grid. SB 905 is a no-regrets solution that will help the state make better use of the grid we have and put downward pressure on electricity costs,” said Brandon Garcia, California director at Advanced Energy United, in a press statement.
If enacted, electrical corporations will need to determine which grid circuits could benefit from additional energy load, and the bill suggests using “distributed resources,” such as commercial and residential solar projects, in those segments.
The California Legislature also has recently passed several bills supporting solar and energy storage output in the state.
The Senate passed SB 913 on Thursday, which is a bill establishing a rate of compensation for when a grid operator exports energy from a ratepayer during peak demand periods when electricity costs more, such as stored energy from a home battery. It also passed a bill that would create a long-awaited community solar and storage program in the state.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is reviewing two more bills concerning solar in the state: AB 1738 and SB 868. The former is a bill authorizing remote inspections statewide for home energy upgrades, such as solar and battery storage, and the latter legalizes small-scale plug-in or “balcony” solar systems.
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