H.R. 4162 — Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2025

This section directs the Secretary of Energy, not later than one year after enactment, to establish a community solar consumer choice program to increase access to community solar programs (i.e., shared solar facilities allowing subscribers to receive electric bill credits without onsite installations) for individuals without regular access to onsite solar (particularly low- and moderate-income individuals), businesses, nonprofit organizations, and State, local, and Tribal governments. The program must (1) align with existing federal programs serving low-income communities, (2) provide technical assistance to governments and other entities and support innovative financial and business models (including affordable rate structures), and (3) use National Laboratories to collect and disseminate data on financing, subscription, and operation of community solar facilities and programs. This section further directs the Secretary, to the extent practicable, to expand Department of Energy grant, loan, and financing programs to include community solar programs.

This section amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to establish a new ratemaking standard (as paragraph (22) of section 111(d)) requiring each non-Tribal electric utility to offer a community solar program—defined as a utility service allowing subscribers (i.e., electric consumers) to offset their bills using output from a community solar facility (i.e., a solar photovoltaic system allocating electricity to multiple consumers via local distribution infrastructure, with possible ownership by utilities, subscribers, or third parties)—with equitable and demonstrable access for all ratepayers, including low-income ratepayers. Tribal utilities may offer such programs and leverage resources under the Act; programs must include ownership mechanisms for utilities, non-utilities, or other entities to deliver customer benefits and mitigate market concentration; and the Secretary of Energy must provide technical assistance to state, local, and Tribal governments. The section further requires state regulatory authorities (for regulated utilities) and nonregulated utilities to commence consideration of the standard within one year of enactment and complete the determination within two years; exempts utilities in states that, prior to enactment, implemented, considered in a proceeding, or had a legislature vote on the standard or a comparable one; and updates PURPA enforcement provisions (sections 112 and 124) to apply these timelines and exemptions. (As background, PURPA section 111 requires such authorities and utilities to consider listed standards after public notice and hearing and determine whether appropriate to implement consistent with state law, with judicial review available.)

This section increases the maximum term of federal contracts for public utility services (i.e., electricity, gas, water, sewage) to 30 years (from 10 years).