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Committee hears push for community solar pilot paired with storage, debates costs and consumer protections
Summary
Supporters described HB 5471 as a chance to expand solar access to renters and low‑income households and to pair panels with storage to shave peaks. Utilities warned of high program costs if compensated at near‑retail rates and urged careful tariff design; members pressed for cost containment and siting safeguards.
The Energy and Technology Committee spent much of the hearing debating HB 5471, a proposed community solar and energy storage pilot that would let organizations build shared clean energy projects and offer subscriptions to households that cannot host rooftop solar. Proponents said the bill would broaden access to renewable electricity for renters, multifamily residents and low‑income households while pairing panels with storage to reduce peak demand and the need for expensive, dirty peaker generation.
Supporters, including environmental and community advocates, argued the storage requirement is the defining feature: adding…
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