New Jersey unveils details of new solar incentives to support 3.75GW - The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has unveiled formal plans to replace its existing solar support framework with a new incentive program which will support up to 3.75GW of new solar over the next five years. ‍

Georgia is approaching its net metering cap - The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) is expected to address the state’s waning available net metering capacity today, as the program has nearly reached its 5,000 participant/32 MW cap. Georgia’s net metering program was instituted in December 2019, replacing an old system under which Georgia Power bought solar power from customers at a lower wholesale rate before selling conventional electric power to those customers at the higher retail rate.

‍New state funding puts solar on the curriculum for Minnesota schools - A new, first-of-its-kind state fund could help triple the number of solar installations on Minnesota K-12 schools and community colleges. Minnesota ranked 11th in the country last year for solar capacity on school buildings, with 157 installations identified in a national industry report. That leaves hundreds of rooftops with the potential to host money-saving solar projects.

‍New Mexico’s Community Solar Program Heating Up - Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Energy Transition Act (SB 489) in 2019, which introduced the idea of a community solar program, and also mandated that New Mexico move to 50% renewable energy by 2030. However, New Mexico’s community solar program was truly born in 2021, when the Community Solar Act (SB 84) established New Mexico’s official program. After a three-hour filibuster, the Community Solar Act (SB 84) passed on April 5, 2021. The act authorized community solar projects in the state and requires that 30 percent of each community solar facility serves low-income households. The first three years of the program are capped at 200 megawatts of total generating capacity.

‍A Rhode Island utility successfully lobbied to increase solar net metering - A small Rhode Island utility this year did something virtually unheard of in its industry: It lobbied for permission to buy more solar power from its customers. Net metering, in which utility customers are paid for unused electricity they send back to the grid, has been a contentious subject across the country. Many utilities see it as a threat to their profit-driven business models.

‍Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces $52.5 million available for community solar projects serving disadvantaged communities - On July 20, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the launch of the Inclusive Community Solar Adder program that makes $52.5 million available for community solar projects that support underserved New Yorkers and disadvantaged communities. Projects funded through the program are expected to serve up to 50,000 low-to-moderate income households, affordable housing providers and facilities serving disadvantaged communities, which will receive energy bill savings from the clean, renewable energy generated by community solar. Increasing access to solar energy for low-income residents supports Governor Cuomo’s goal to ensure that at least 35% with a goal of 40% of the benefits of clean energy investments go to disadvantaged communities as outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

‍California PUC unveils draft plan for 'forward-thinking' distributed energy policy - California utility regulators last week issued a draft distributed energy resources (DER) action plan, intended to create a roadmap to roll out "forward-thinking" policy amid expected increases in DER deployments across the state.