Community solar consumer choice program; Federal Government participation in community solar

(a) Definitions In this section: (1) Community solar facility; community solar program; subscriber The terms community solar facility, community solar program, and subscriber have the meanings given those terms in paragraph (22)(A) of section 111(d) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2621(d)). (2) National Laboratory The term National Laboratory has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801). (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy. (b) Establishment of community solar consumer choice program (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to increase access to community solar programs for— (A) individuals, particularly individuals that do not have regular access to onsite solar, including low- and moderate-income individuals; (B) businesses; (C) nonprofit organizations; and (D) States and local and Tribal governments. (2) Alignment with existing Federal programs The Secretary shall align the program established under paragraph (1) with existing Federal programs that serve low-income communities. (3) Assistance to State, local, and Tribal governments In carrying out the program established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A) provide technical assistance to State, local, and Tribal governments, and other entities, for projects to increase access to community solar programs; (B) assist State, local, and Tribal governments in the development of new and innovative financial and business models, including affordable rate structures, that leverage competition in the energy marketplace in order to serve subscribers; and (C) use National Laboratories to collect and disseminate data to assist private entities in the financing of, subscription to, and operation of community solar facilities and community solar programs. (c) Federal Government participation in community solar programs The Secretary, to the extent practicable, shall expand the existing grant, loan, and financing programs of the Department of Energy to include community solar programs.