Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2025

This bill aims to make community solar available to more people and groups. It tells the Department of Energy to set up a program within one year to help individuals (especially low- and moderate-income households), businesses, nonprofits, and state, local, and Tribal governments join community solar. The program will line up with other federal programs that serve low-income communities, offer technical help, share data through National Laboratories, and expand existing grants and loans to include community solar projects .

Electric utilities (except Tribal utilities) would have to offer a community solar option that all customers can access, including low-income customers. Tribal utilities may choose to offer one and can use federal resources if they do. The bill defines what a community solar facility is and lets utilities, non-utilities, and other groups own these projects to deliver customer benefits and prevent too much market power in one place. The Energy Department must provide technical assistance to help make these programs work. State regulators must start considering the new standard within one year and make a decision within two years, with credit for states that have already acted. It also lets federal public-utility service contracts last up to 30 years, which can make long-term solar deals easier .

Key points

• Who is affected: All utility customers, including low-income households; businesses; nonprofits; state, local, and Tribal governments; and electric utilities (with different rules for Tribal utilities) .
• What changes: DOE launches support and financing for community solar; most utilities must offer a community solar program with fair access; ownership can be flexible to deliver benefits; states must review and decide on the standard; longer federal utility contracts allowed (up to 30 years) .
• When: DOE program within one year of enactment; states begin consideration within one year and finish within two years .