CA SB843

Enacts the Community-Based Renewable Energy Self-Generation Program allowing retail customers to acquire interests in community renewable energy facilities (up to 20 megawatts capacity) and receive bill credits to offset electricity usage.

Allocates 30 megawatts of alternating current capacity to the City of Davis for use at PVUSA photovoltaic facility and other designated locations, with an initial statewide cumulative capacity limit of 2 gigawatts for the program.

Exempts corporations and persons engaged in developing, producing, or selling interests in community renewable energy facilities from being classified as public utilities or electrical corporations solely based on those activities.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish facility rates based on renewable contract costs, maintain public databases of rates and facilities, and evaluate bill credit mechanisms including potential locational value adjustments by January 1, 2015.

Requires participant organizations to meet construction and operational benchmarks within 180 days and 18 months respectively of receiving capacity awards, with provisions for workforce investment board referrals for entry-level positions on facilities larger than 1 megawatt.