West Virginians For Energy Freedom helps the Mountaineer State become the 29th with Power Purchase Agreements
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 one. They 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.
West Virginia joins 28 other states — including Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Georgia — in making available on-site PPAs.
PPAs broaden access to affordable energy. States that allow third-party PPAs account for 93% of the increase in American solar capacity since 2015. They expand economic development. More than 800,000 American workers are employed in renewable energy industries.
This creates good local jobs in rapidly growing energy sectors. Solar PV installer and wind turbine technician are among the Top 5 fastest-growing occupations in the nation
It will attract employers to locate and invest in West Virginia. Hundreds of major global corporations have made corporate commitments to use 100% renewable energy.