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Our Mission

We are the Coalition for Community Solar Access

We are building the electric grid of the future where every consumer has the freedom to choose clean, locally generated solar energy to power their lives.

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We’re passionate about democratizing solar energy

The impact of community solar

CCSA is a national trade association representing more than 100 community solar companies, businesses, and nonprofits working to expand customer choice and access to solar for all American households and businesses through community solar. We work with customers, utilities, local stakeholders, and policymakers to develop and implement policies and best practices that ensure highly successful community solar programs that champion the energy customer.

Core principles for driving change

At CCSA, we promote policies, programs, and practices that drive our vision to democratize solar energy.

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  • Allow all consumers the opportunity to participate in and directly economically benefit from the construction and operation of new clean energy assets.
  • Provide equal access for community solar providers to build and operate community solar projects and interconnect those projects to the serving utility’s grid.
  • Support the participation of diverse customer types in community solar programs, and encourage customer choice with providers, product features, and attributes to catalyze innovation and best serve customers.
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  • Incorporate a fair bill credit mechanism that provides subscribers with an economic benefit commensurate with the value of the long-term, clean, locally-sited energy produced by community solar projects.
  • Ensure that community solar projects are operated and maintained to protect customers and providers’ investment.
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  • Ensure full and accurate disclosure of customer benefits and risks in a standard, comparable manner that presents customers with performance and cost transparency.
  • Maintain a 360-degree view of the community solar market and ensure a beneficial role for all parties in the partnerships forged between subscriber, provider, and utility.
  • Comply with applicable securities, tax, and consumer protection laws to reduce customer risk and protect the customer.
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  • Encourage transparent, non-discriminatory utility rules on siting, interconnecting projects, and collaboration with utilities.
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A dynamic group of go-getters shaping our shared energy future

CCSA is a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about providing solar access for all. But not only are we excited about building the grid of the future, we’re also a team filled with entrepreneurs, human parents, pet parents, movie buffs, music lovers, outdoors enthusiasts, and more.

Meet the Team

A history of change and a vision for the future

  • 2005 - 2006
  • 2010
  • 2015
  • 2021 - 2022

2005

Energy Policy Act (EPACT) 2005 signed into law

  • This led to more than 40 states adopting net metering and interconnection for distributed energy generation, paving the way for community solar to enter the energy mix.

2006

The earliest community solar project began to take shape

  • The first community solar project on record was installed in Ellensburg, Washington in 2006. It was built in four phases totaling 110 kW of solar panels.

2010

The first competitive community solar program emerged

  • Colorado opens what was considered the first competitive community solar program in the country.

2015

CCSA arrived on the scene to create solar access for all

  • The Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) was founded in 2015 to help accelerate the growth of the industry.

2015

  • The community solar business model continued to evolve at this time, changing from customer contracts, to a month-to-month, no-contract model. Project subscriptions are now as easy as signing up for your favorite streaming service!

2021

The Department of Energy set a 2025 target

  • The goal is for community solar to power 5 million homes and save $1 billion on electricity bills by the year 2025.

2022

Milestones achieved at CCSA and beyond

  • The Coalition for Community Solar Access officially surpassed 100 members.
  • New York became the leader in community solar capacity and set an industry-leading 10 GW distributed solar roadmap.
  • The Inflation Reduction Act passed with the highest level and longest duration of energy incentives ever passed by Congress.

Want to join us in our vision to democratize solar energy?

We’re excited to chat with potential members, future employees, and people who are passionate about changing the world.

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