Letter to the editor: Pennsylvanians will benefit from community solar

Solar is the most affordable form of energy, but many face barriers to accessing its benefits. With funding available to expand solar in Pennsylvania, the best way is establishing a community solar program.

Community solar allows everyone with an electric bill to benefit from solar: farmers who host projects, members of labor unions who build projects and renters who subscribe to projects.

Legislation to enable community solar passed the Pennsylvania House. Now, the Senate can bring this program over the finish line.

It’s time for a Senate hearing on HB 1842 and for new energy choices for Pennsylvanians, including those in Westmoreland County, where utility rates have increased more than 54% since January 2022 and more than 78,000 households out of 153,000 can’t make the choice to go solar.

Following a unanimous vote of support in the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee, the momentum to expand access to solar has never been greater. Sen. Pat Stefano, committee chair, and President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, member, can help influence when the bill gets a hearing. Sixty-plus Pennsylvania organizations have also called for action.

It’s not often the benefits of one bill can reach everywhere and everyone in Pennsylvania — HB 1842 is that rare win.

Monica Carey

Manheim