Substitute Bill No. 5052, effective July 1, 2024, aims to promote the use of solar energy in school buildings by amending the computation of grants for school building projects. The bill specifies that "other state funds" used for calculating these grants will not include funds from certain energy-related programs, ensuring that incentives for solar energy integration are not diminished. Additionally, the bill requires the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to establish a program by January 1, 2025, to encourage the installation of solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems in public schools, with a cap of twenty-five megawatts per year for project capacity. It also mandates that school building project applications include a solar feasibility assessment if the school does not currently use solar energy.

The bill outlines the categorization of school building projects, the role of the Commissioner of Administrative Services, and the process for calculating state grants, which are amortized over 20 years for projects over $2 million and over 10 years for those costing less. It also addresses the refund of unamortized state grants if a school building is repurposed, with certain exemptions. The bill requires superintendents to select an entity to conduct solar feasibility assessments for public schools by October 1, 2024, and assist in gathering necessary information. The bill includes insertions to the current law, such as new sections and amendments, but no deletions are indicated in the provided text.