Georgia’s House quickly passed solar energy legislation on a unanimous vote Monday, sending it to the Senate for consideration.
Called the Solar Power Free Market Financing Act, House Bill 57 is aimed at making it easier and more affordable for Georgia homeowners and small businesses to put solar panels on their rooftops.
The bill — sponsored by Republican Rep. Mike Dudgeon of Johns Creek — clarifies how homeowners can get outside financing of small solar installations. Solar advocates say a key to winning over homeowners is to make it easier to finance installation and equipment, which can cost $15,000 or more. With financing, homeowners can avoid upfront costs and pay for their use of the system over time.
For years, solar legislation has failed to win House passage. But the latest bill eases earlier concerns by Georgia Power and other utilities about the safety of new installations and their worries that the state would let in rival retail utilities.
The legislation, according to supporters, has been in the works for months and more than 90 parties have been involved with it. Georgia Power and trade associations that represent electric cooperatives and the solar power industry recently spoke in favor of it at a hearing before the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee. That panel endorsed the bill on a unanimous vote.
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