Cortese Advances Bill to Make Solar Energy Accessible to Underserved Communities

Senator Cortese (D-Silicon Valley) has introduced SB 1385, which aims to make solar energy more accessible for underserved communities. SB 1385 is sponsored by the State Association of Electrical Workers.

California’s investments in distributed solar have disproportionately subsidized distributed solar for non-residential and general market residential properties. The CPUC reported that out of the overall $3 billion budget given to the California Solar Initiative Program in 2007, only $218 million (7%) went to low-income housing, whereas $2.79 billion (93%) went to commercial retail and market rate housing.

This data is even more striking when looking at the demographics of local solar distribution. A study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that nearly half of the state’s solar adopters are in the highest quintile of earners, while approximately 4 percent come from the lowest quintile. Additionally, the study found that solar adopters generally skew towards block groups with high White population, higher education, and higher credit scores.

“The incentives given to solar adopters were originally meant to transform the market and boost solar adoption. However, due to the rapid growth of solar during the past decade and the increasing cost shift onto those that don’t have the opportunity to choose solar, it is imperative that we take a more equitable approach. I am proud to introduce SB 1385 to make solar more accessible for low-income families across the state,” says Senator Cortese.

SB 1385 would create a multi-family housing local solar program that will bring solar and storage systems to multi-unit dwellings in underserved communities, with no cost shift to other ratepayers. The program will ensure that low-income customers, who have been disproportionately left out of the state’s solar investments, can access affordable and clean energy.

“The State Association of Electrical Workers has been an outspoken voice for making the state's solar programs more accessible to working families, disadvantaged communities and renters, all of whom have been shut out of the Solar Revolution, despite paying for these various programs in their electric rates. 

The IBEW is proud to be the sponsor of SB 1385 because it will extend the benefits of solar power to those left behind without cost shifting to other ratepayers”.