Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2025

This bill aims to make “community solar” easier to join and benefit from. Community solar lets many customers subscribe to a shared solar project and get credits on their electric bills, even if they can’t put panels on their own roof. It requires most electric utilities to offer a community solar option with fair access for all customers, including low-income households, and explains what counts as a community solar facility and program. The Department of Energy must set up a program within one year to help people, businesses, nonprofits, and state, local, and Tribal governments join these projects, and align it with programs that serve low-income communities. The bill also expands existing federal grants, loans, and financing to include community solar and directs the Department to provide technical help and share data to support new projects and affordable rate plans.

States must start considering this new standard within one year and finish within two years, unless they have already taken similar steps. This keeps things moving while respecting states that are ahead of the curve. To help long-term planning and lower costs, the bill allows federal contracts for utility services to run up to 30 years.

• Who is affected: Households (especially renters and low- to moderate-income families), businesses, nonprofits, utilities, and state, local, and Tribal governments .
• What changes: Utilities must offer a community solar option; DOE provides support, funding access, and technical help; flexible ownership models are allowed to deliver customer benefits; federal utility contracts can last up to 30 years .
• When: DOE program within 1 year; states begin consideration within 1 year and complete decisions within 2 years .