The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced on Apr. 23 that community solar projects are delivering clean energy and cost savings to customers throughout the state.
Community solar allows a range of customers—including non-profits, businesses, renters, and residents in multifamily housing—to subscribe to a shared solar array and receive reductions on their electricity bills. The CPUC said there are currently 1,200 operational community solar projects totaling 560 megawatts, with another 430 projects under construction representing an additional 165 megawatts. About 125,000 residential customers and 60,000 commercial customers are participating in these programs.
These initiatives include offerings for residential and commercial users as well as specialized programs for disadvantaged communities. The CPUC recently streamlined its Green Tariff Shared Renewables program and enhanced subsidized options like the Disadvantaged Community Green Tariff (DAC-GT) and Community Solar Green Tariff (CSGT), following the implementation of Assembly Bill 2316. According to the commission, these changes have made community solar more accessible and scalable across California.
A key focus of California’s approach is equity. Programs such as DAC-GT and CSGT provide income-qualified customers with a discount of up to twenty percent on their electricity bills. When combined with other assistance programs like CARE or FERA, some households may see bill reductions by up to half. The CPUC said these efforts support environmental justice goals by providing benefits such as lower utility costs, reduced emissions, job training opportunities, and local investment in underserved areas.
An example highlighted by the CPUC is a new warehouse rooftop project in Carson funded through the CSGT program. This installation is notable for being the first urban infill DAC community solar project built on an industrial rooftop in California. Hosted at a Prologis-owned warehouse as part of a partnership deploying ten arrays across Los Angeles County, it has also contributed to workforce development—creating eighteen jobs among more than two hundred fifty individuals trained through Clean Power Alliance’s Power Share program.
Looking ahead, the CPUC plans further refinements with an upcoming proposal at its May meeting that would fully implement the Community Renewable Energy Program—a new initiative designed for all income levels but requiring that over half its subscribers be low-income participants who will receive guaranteed bill credits.
