Community Solar: Reviving California’s Commitment to a Bright Energy Future

July 2013
Citation:
43
ELR 10585
Issue
7
Author
Samantha Booth

Although California has typically led the nation’s march toward a renewable future, the state’s tenacious reliance on the traditional, centralized model of energy generation has artificially stunted the potential growth of the renewable energy sector. California should therefore adopt legal structures prerequisite to widespread penetration of the community solar model in the state. Community solar is a mechanism through which multiple ratepayers can buy “shares” in a local, off-site solar system and receive bill credits for energy generated by the system. The California Legislature must make key changes to eviscerate various legal barriers to the adoption of community solar in California.

Samantha Booth is a student at UCLA School of Law.

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