Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2017
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program to expand community solar options to: (1) individuals, particularly individuals that do not have regular access to onsite solar, including low- and moderate-income individuals; (2) businesses; (3) nonprofit organizations; and (4) states and local and tribal governments.
Community solar is a solar power plant, through which the benefits of the electricity produced is shared by electricity customers.
In carrying out the program, DOE must: (1) provide technical assistance to states and local and tribal governments for projects to increase community solar; (2) assist such governments in the development of new and innovative financial and business models that leverage competition in the marketplace in order to serve community solar subscribers; and (3) use national laboratories to collect and disseminate data that assists private entities in the financing of, subscription to, and operation of community solar projects.
The bill encourages the federal government to participate in community solar projects, including by subscribing to community solar facilities.