Energy (Solar)

SB 519 requires Michigan's Public Service Commission to create rules enabling community solar programs. It mandates that at least 30% of electricity from each facility must serve low-income households or organizations, ensures subscribers can transfer their solar credits when moving within the same utility area, and prevents utilities from changing a customer's rate class for joining solar programs. The bill also establishes bill credit rates based on utility rates (excluding distribution costs) to ensure all customer groups can access community solar. These rules directly affect electric providers, low-income households, and all Michigan residents who may subscribe to community solar facilities.

SB 518 establishes a framework for community solar facilities in Michigan, allowing multiple subscribers to share electricity generated from a single solar installation. The bill requires facilities to have at least 3 subscribers, limit capacity to 5 megawatts, and ensure 60% of capacity is subscribed by small users (40 kW or less). It defines "bill credits" that subscribers receive to offset their electricity bills based on their proportional share of the solar facility’s output. This directly affects residential and small business subscribers - particularly low-income households meeting HUD or poverty line criteria - and electric providers managing these programs.

Senate Bill 322 amends Michigan's "Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act," specifically reversing changes made by three 2023 public acts. The bill requires electric and natural gas providers to implement renewable energy, clean energy, and energy waste reduction programs, aiming to return cost savings to customers. It establishes a goal for 35% of the state's electricity to be met through a combination of energy waste reduction and renewable energy by 2025. A key provision authorizes state certification for wind, solar, and energy storage facilities, which can preempt local zoning ordinances.

HB 4590 adds Part 9 to Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy Act, requiring the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to create rules for "Locally Distributed Shared Solar Facilities" (LDSS). This bill directly affects community solar projects and subscribers, mandating that LDSS facilities must use solar panels not made in China, North Korea, or Iran, have at least three subscribers, limit any single subscriber to 40% of output, and meet specific size caps (5 MW or 20 MW). Key provisions include requiring facilities to provide bill credits proportional to each subscriber's contribution and ensuring 60% of capacity is subscribed by small users (40 kW or less). The MPSC must establish these rules to govern community solar programs under this new framework.