House Bill No. 5232 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that addresses several aspects of solar energy projects and renewable energy tariffs in the state. The bill requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to conduct a study on the feasibility of a uniform capacity tax for solar photovoltaic systems, with a report due by January 1, 2025. It also mandates a study by the chairperson of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority on renewable energy tariff programs, with recommendations due by January 15, 2026. The bill simplifies the approval process for solar canopy applications, allowing municipalities a maximum of six months to approve or deny them. It amends section 16a-40g of the general statutes to enable the bank to establish a commercial sustainable energy program, including issuing bonds and levying benefit assessments. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to submit information on the potential siting of solar projects within a year of the bill's effective date.

Furthermore, House Bill No. 5232 outlines the process for electric distribution companies to conduct solicitations for renewable energy resources, with the goal of ensuring a diversity of projects. It sets a deadline for the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to establish tariffs for energy produced by facilities not consumed on-site, considering dynamic pricing and setting a maximum period for calculating net energy. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is tasked with developing program requirements and tariff proposals for shared clean energy facilities. The bill sets a cap on the selected purchase price for energy and renewable energy certificates and establishes billing credits for subscribers to shared clean energy facilities. It also amends the law to set new annual limits for different categories of customers eligible under procurement and tariff programs starting January 1, 2025, and allows the authority to adjust these limits. The bill includes provisions for the recovery of costs by electric distribution companies and repeals Section 16-245aa of the general statutes, effective October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 16-245aa
ET Joint Favorable: 16-245aa
File No. 360: 16-245aa
File No. 620: 16-245aa
Public Act No. 24-31: 16-245aa