Senate Bill 559 aims to authorize the establishment of community solar programs in Wisconsin, allowing retail electric customers of investor-owned utilities to subscribe to community solar facilities and receive bill credits for the electricity generated. The bill defines "community solar facility" and "subscriber organization," and outlines the requirements for these facilities, including their location, capacity limits, and the necessity for subscribers to be within the same utility's service territory. It also stipulates that subscribers cannot receive bill credits exceeding their average annual electric bill and prohibits them from receiving state subsidies or benefits from tax incremental districts.

Additionally, the bill mandates that investor-owned utilities must credit subscribers' electric bills based on their subscriptions and requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to create rules for establishing community solar facilities. These rules must address interconnection standards, financial responsibility for decommissioning, and ensure that bill credits do not reduce monthly electric bills below $20. The total capacity for community solar facilities is capped at 1,750 megawatts, with specific zoning and permitting requirements for municipalities. The bill also includes provisions for property taxation of community solar facilities, which were previously exempt under current law.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 66.0401(1m)(intro.), 66.0401, 76.28(1)(e)(intro.), 76.28