State solar policy on the frontlines
For a couple months every two years, every state’s legislative session align, and this year, energy policy dominated many states’ sessions. In regulated energy markets, advocacy groups crusaded against utilities that were relentless to not lose any of their monopoly share to clean energy.
Community solar makes subtle gains in capacity, but bold moves in policy across the U.S.
Many states made steady gains in community solar capacity last quarter while other states fought for the ability to have community solar capacity.
Net metering causes less than one dollar cost shift to most ratepayers, study says
With many states seeking to replace net metering with alternative compensation that pays solar owners less for their excess electricity, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory launched a qualitative study to find the truth behind the alleged cross subsidization of solar customers by non solar customers.
Sunniest state in U.S. turns its back on the sun
Arizona holds a Guinness World Record for “most sunshine” and holds no significant gas reserves. However, despite hundreds of objections, its commission voted to repeal its renewable energy standard, letting its utilities take the wheel and head back toward more gas.
States take closer look at value of solar, net metering policies
The NC Clean Energy Technology Center identifies notable state policy trends and actions for distributed solar states took during Q2 2025.
What is solar net metering?
In many states, rooftop solar is supported by a billing structure called net metering, under which utility bills are credited for exporting electricity to the grid.
For rooftop, community solar, ‘we’re all for it,’ ComEd says
Electric utility ComEd and its parent company Exelon spoke in a keynote session at the Midwest Solar Expo about why, as utilities, they want growth in the community solar and rooftop solar markets.
Net metering faces uncertainty in Maine
The Maine Legislature’s committee voted in favor of a bill that deems front-of-the-meter projects ineligible for net-energy billing.
California proposes reduced liabilities on small businesses installing solar
California AB 1104 is expected to lower the administrative burden on small businesses that move forward with installing solar.
A Boston hospital’s 572 kW battery is expected to pay for itself in 7 to 10 years
The battery system is expected to earn $80,000 per year by providing energy to the local utility during peak summer demand periods, while saving $57,000 per year by reducing the hospital’s own monthly and annual peak consumption.
