Groups came to the Capitol on Tuesday to push for community solar legislation. It hasn’t gotten very far.
Solar United Neighbors, the West Virginia Environmental Council and the NAACP of West Virginia spoke in favor of community solar.
Black By God: Community Solar Should be an Option for Black Families
WV becomes 29th state to offer Power Purchase Agreements
The West Virginia legislature made it easier in 2021 for West Virginians to use power purchase agreements (PPAs), a popular method, to finance distributed energy generation projects such as rooftop solar panels.
West Virginia joins 28 other states — including Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Georgia — in making available on-site PPAs.
“Solar energy helps West Virginians save money and take control of where their electricity comes from,” said Autumn Long, Solar United Neighbors’ West Virginia program director. “West Virginia lawmakers made the smart decision to allow power purchase agreements so that more West Virginia families and businesses can benefit from solar energy.”
The passage of House Bill 3310 wraps up our three-year #PPAs4WV campaign. Supporters across the state have worked diligently to educate lawmakers about the benefits of expanding solar access. The bill received broad support in both legislative chambers and passed 83-16 in the state House of Delegates and 33-1 in the state Senate.
Under a PPA, a third party owns and operates a solar installation. The host customer buys the electricity the system generates at a fixed rate. This rate is typically lower than what the customer pays to their utility for electricity.
PPAs allow customers to benefit from distributed energy with minimal upfront costs. Customers see electric bill savings from Day 1 and are able to lock in long-term energy rates. This allows them to stabilize their monthly budget expenditures and protect themselves against utility rate increases.
WV Legislature passes bill to enable on-site PPAs
The WV Legislature passed HB 3310, a bill to enable on-site solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in West Virginia. Now, HB 3310 heads to Gov. Jim Justice for his signature.
As noted in the bill’s legislative findings, HB 3310 will help more West Virginia households, businesses, and institutions stabilize their long-term energy costs with solar energy. This will make our state more attractive for business development and corporate investment.
Read the full report in today’s Charleston Gazette-Mail.
We appreciate that Gov. Justice’s Department of Commerce continues to champion forward-thinking policy to grow and strengthen West Virginia’s economy. We look forward to the Governor signing HB 3310 into law as a positive step in that direction.
Big thanks to everyone who has contacted their lawmakers in support of this policy. Your efforts made a difference! Your voices have been heard.
Click here if you want to say thanks to lawmakers who voted Yes on HB 3310.
WILL PRICE, WV Legislative Photography
Sen. Richard Lindsay, D-Kanawha, shows support for HB 3310 that would enable on-site Power Purchase Agreements in West Virginia.
Op/Ed challenges Gov. Justice to support #PPAs4WV
“Your move, Big Jim,” a recent Op/Ed in Charleston Gazette-Mail by John McFerrin challenged Gov. Jim Justice to become a champion of legalizing on-site Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in West Virginia.
"...the self-described 'absolute proponent' of wind and solar power has a chance to demonstrate his enthusiasm. There is a bill in the West Virginia Legislature that would remove barriers to solar power. He has a chance to lobby, preach, arm-twist, or do whatever he thinks best, to see that it becomes law.
"The legislation — Senate Bill 30 — tears down the barriers that the structure of the Public Service Commission puts up before solar energy producers."
Please read the full Op/Ed and leave a comment to show your support for PPAs... just in case the Governor reads the Comments section.
Solar industry leaders support #PPAs4WV in Op/Ed
A pair of solar industry leaders urged West Virginia lawmakers to legalize on-site PPAs in a recent Op/Ed in The (Huntington) Herald-Dispatch.
The authors are Sean Gallagher, vice president of state and regulatory affairs for Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and Andrew Williams, vice president of policy and corporate affairs for SOL Systems LLC. SEIA, the national trade association for the solar industry, is a member of our coalition.
"Legislators should act quickly to give West Virginians the freedom to participate in PPAs. This simple action will create new competitive energy options, spur economic investment, create jobs, and facilitate innovation — all without the need for additional state funds or the need to raise taxes."