U.S. Congress sponsors bill that provides strong protections for residential solar power producers

The U.S. Congress yesterday introduced legislation that would affirm the right of American consumers to install solar systems on their roofs and receive fair treatment as energy producers.

Read the full release here.

The "Solar Opportunity and Local Access Rights Act" (SOLAR) would establish national standards for the interconnection and net metering of solar energy systems, based on the most progressive state standards to date. The legislation would require utilities to credit their customers at retail electric rates for supplying excess solar power to the grid. The bill would also establish that ownership of renewable energy credits (RECs) resides with the solar system owner for purposes of selling or trading to meet a state or federal renewable portfolio standard.

The SOLAR Act would protect solar consumers from restrictive covenants that block the siting of solar systems on a roof - similar to the current legislative treatment of satellite dishes. The bill would also help shield prospective system buyers from exorbitant permitting and licensing fees.