Republicans Like Community Solar

Lori Saine,during her tenures as a state representative and local official in Colorado, [used to] often heard from her fellow Republicans: “You like China and Biden if you like solar panels.” But now Republicans in Georgia, Iowa, Missouri, and Ohio have sponsored bills to spur the growth of this shared renewable energy resource in their states. “Community solar istallations…typically 1 to 5 megawatts, or up to 30 acres, allow households to reap the benefits of cheaper, clean power without putting panels on their own roofs.” Last year, in Alaska, several GOP legislators voted for a community solar bill, and the state’s Republican governor signed it into law. “Proposed laws in Iowa (HF 404) and Ohio (HB15 and SB 2) remain in play alongside the Missouri measure, “Twenty-five states have already adopted policies to enable community solar, according to an April report from the NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Nationwide, shared solar had its biggest growth spurt ever in 2024, rising 35% from 2023 to reach a cumulative 8.6 gigawatts of installed capacity. Community solar policy can attract private investment from third-party developers of these projects, opening up competition in the energy-generation market, which is often dominated by monopoly utilities. “On average, 5 megawatts of community solar delivers $14 million in local economic activity and supports nearly 100 jobs, according to a nationwide review of economic impact reports released this month by the Coalition for Community Solar Access.” Here’s the kicker: Developers often guarantee subscribers a 5% to 20% discount on electricity, such that subscribers might pay $100 to get $105 to $120 worth of electricity monthly. Republicans can get on board with communitarianism. My advice: don’t you dare call this socialism.