H.B. 197 Summary

• Establishes a community solar pilot program of 1,500 megawatts statewide, with 1,000 MW for general community solar facilities and 500 MW reserved for facilities on distressed sites, certified by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

• Establishes a solar development program of 250 megawatts for community solar facilities and solar fields located exclusively on Appalachian-region sites to incentivize economic development in that region.

• Requires the PUC to set bill credits for subscribers that reflect the utility's retail rate minus distribution charges for non-distressed sites, and the full retail rate for distressed sites, with bill credits reviewed after a 48-month pilot evaluation.

• Mandates utilities interconnect community solar facilities to their distribution systems, prohibits discrimination against community solar, and requires consumer protections including standardized disclosure forms, no upfront fees, and no early termination charges.

• Requires the PUC to promulgate rules within six months for both programs covering certification, consumer protections, interconnection standards, cost recovery, and program evaluations with guaranteed savings verification for subscribers.