GA Solar was deeply engaged in behind-the-meter (BTM) solar energy legislation in this year’s legislative session. There were several bills that together would significantly remove regulatory barriers, protect consumers, and increase access for Georgia residents. Unfortunately, none of these bills made it out of committee before crossover day. The various bills can be organized in three categories: (1) consumer protections, (2) monthly netting, and (3) miscellaneous as outlined below.

Although none of these will make it to the Governor’s desk, they outline a terrific agenda for next year. GA Solar will be working throughout 2022 leading up to the next legislative session to advocate for another slate of solar-friendly legislation. Click here to learn more about how you can support GA Solar and donate here.

Consumer Protections

• HB 966 by Representative Thomas of the 65^th
  • to require that retail consumers view a solar awareness presentation prior to purchasing certain solar technology
  • Provide for the PSC to develop such solar awareness presentation and to promulgate certain rules and regulations
• HB 1494 by Representative Gullet of the 19^th
  • To require certain disclosures prior to the sale or lease of distributed energy generation systems
  • To require a companies installing solar energy systems to be licensed as an electrical contractor

Outcome: HB 966 was included in HB 1494 which GA Solar supported. HB 1494 made it further than any other bill in this list passing unanimously out of the EUT committee but stalled in House Rules and did not get a vote in the full House before crossover day.

Monthly Netting

• HB 1083 by Representative Ed Setzler of the 35^th
  • To clarify “monthly netting” in the Georgia Cogeneration and Distributed Generation Act of 2001 to be monthly.
  • To require that fees imposed on solar customers meet certain criteria;
  • to expand the state-wide cumulative limit to a larger percentage of each utility's annual peak demand;
  • to provide the commission with the authority to determine the appropriate credit available once the existing credit limit is reached

Outcome:  assigned to the EUT committee, had a subcommittee hearing; stalled in subcommittee

• SB 583 by Senator Jason Anavitarte of the 31st (formerly SB 299)
  • to clarify “monthly netting” in the Georgia Cogeneration and Distributed Generation Act of 2001
  • to  expand the cumulative limit of generating capacity from distributed generation facilities to be purchased by each electric utility;
  • to provide the Public Service Commission with the authority to determine the appropriate credit available once the existing credit limit is reached;
  • to allow certain tax-exempt customers to aggregate demand from multiple locations and subscribe to certain off-site solar facilities;
  • to allow customers to access their own meter usage and to provide such usage data to authorized third parties
• HB 1491 by Representative Martin Momtahan of the 17^th
  • House companion bill of SB 583:
  • Assigned to the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications committee

Outcome: never assigned to subcommittee; did not get a hearing 

Miscellaneous

• HB 1487 by Spencer Frye of the 118th
  • to provide for the quality of services to low-income customers to be examined by the Public Service Commission when determining just and reasonable rates and charges of utilities
  • to provide for certain utilities to allocate a portion of their revenue above the authorized target return to a Georgians First Fund, to be used to assist low- and fixed-income customers

Outcome: stalled in subcommittee

• HB 483 by Spencer Frye of the 118^th
  • relating to property owners' associations and covenants and warranties,
  • to prohibit property owners' associations from creating or enforcing covenants which infringe upon a lot owner's right to install a solar energy device;

Outcome: stalled in subcommittee