,,ii #aadth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #agac ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #g1 #bjae ,mr4 ,sanders 7for himself and ,mr4 ,merkley7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to require the ,secretary of ,energy to provide loans and grants for solar installations in low-income and underserved areas4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,low-,income ,solar ,act4 #b4 ,loan and grant program for solar installations in low-income and underserved areas 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,administrative expenses ,the term administrative expenses has such meaning as may be established by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,community solar facility ,the term community solar facility means a community-based distributed photovoltaic solar electricity generating facility that1 as determined by the ,secretary-- 7,a7 is owned by a subscriber organization2 7,b7 has a nameplate rating of #b megawatts or less2 7,c7 is located in or near a community of subscribers to whom the beneficial use of the electricity generated by the facility belongs2 and 7,d7 reserves not less than #be percent of the quantity of electricity generated by the facility for low-income households that are subscribers to the facility4 7#c7 ,grant-eligible household ,the term grant-eligible household means a household the members of which-- 7,a7 earn an income equal to #hj percent or less of the applicable area median income1 as defined for the applicable year by the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development2 and 7,b7 reside in an owner-occupied home4 7#d7 ,indian tribe ,the term ,indian tribe means any ,indian tribe1 band1 nation1 or other organized group or community1 including any ,alaskan ,native village or regional or village corporation 7as defined in1 or established pursuant to1 the ,alaska ,native ,claims ,settlement ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #afja et seq4771 that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the ,united ,states to ,indians because of their status as ,indians4 7#e7 ,loan-eligible entity ,the term loan-eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a nonprofit entity2 7,b7 a unit of ,state1 territorial1 or local government2 7,c7 an ,indian tribe2 7,d7 a rural community 7as defined in section #cdc7;a7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aiia7;a772 and 7,e7 any other national or regional entity that-- 7i7 deploys a safe1 high-quality photovoltaic solar electricity generating facility for consumers under a model that maximizes energy savings to those consumers2 and 7ii7 has experience1 as determined by the ,secretary1 installing solar systems using a job training or community volunteer-based installation model4 7#f7 ,low-income household ,the term low-income household means a household with an income equal to #hj percent or less of the applicable area median income1 as defined for the applicable year by the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development4 7#g7 ,multi-family affordable housing ,the term multi-family affordable housing means any federally subsidized affordable housing complex in which at least #ej percent of the units are reserved for low-income households4 7#h7 ,photovoltaic solar electricity generating facility ,the term photovoltaic solar electricity generating facility means-- 7,a7 a generator that creates electricity from light photons2 and 7,b7 the accompanying hardware enabling that electricity to flow-- 7i7 onto the electric grid2 or 7ii7 into an energy storage device4 7#i7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 7#aj7 ,subscriber ,the term subscriber means an electricity consumer who-- 7,a7 owns a subscription1 or an equivalent unit or share of the capacity or generation1 of a community solar facility2 7,b7 has identified #a or more physical locations-- 7i7 to which the subscription will be attributed2 7ii7 within the same electric utility service territory1 or within the same geographical area1 as the community solar facility1 in accordance with applicable ,state and local law2 and 7iii7 that may change from time to time1 subject to the condition that the physical location shall be within the geographical limits allowed for a subscriber of the applicable community solar facility2 and 7,c7 confirms the status of the consumer as a grant-eligible household for each applicable fiscal year4 7#aa7 ,subscription ,the term subscription means a share in the capacity1 or a proportional interest in the solar electricity generation1 of a community solar facility4 7#ab7 ,underserved area ,the term underserved area means a geographical area with low or no photovoltaic solar deployment1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7b7 ,establishment of loan and grant program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a program under which the ,secretary shall provide loans and grants to grant-eligible households and loan-eligible entities for use in accordance with this section4 7#b7 ,funding 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 the ,secretary shall make grants and issue loans in accordance with this subsection4 7,b7 ,loans ,subject to subparagraph 7,d71 not more than #ej percent of funds made available under subparagraph 7,a7 for a fiscal year shall be used to provide loans to loan-eligible entities for-- 7i7 community solar facilities2 or 7ii7 multi-family affordable housing solar installations4 7,c7 ,grants ,after allocating amounts to carry out subparagraph 7,b71 the ,secretary shall use the remaining funds made available under subparagraph 7,a7 for a fiscal year to provide grants to grant-eligible households-- 7i7 to pay the upfront costs of photovoltaic solar electricity generating facilities2 or 7ii7 for any other eligible use described in subsection 7e74 7,d7 ,increase in grant amount ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 if the ,secretary determines that more than #ej percent of the amounts described in that subparagraph are necessary during any of fiscal years #bjaf through #bjcj to provide grants to encourage innovative financing and installation models to reach underserved markets1 the ,secretary may use more than #ej percent of those amounts to provide those grants4 7#c7 ,goals and accountability 7,a7 ,in general ,in providing loans and grants under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that-- 7i7 the assistance provided under this subsection is used to facilitate and encourage innovative solar installation and financing models1 under which the recipients develop and install photovoltaic solar electricity generating facilities that provide significant savings to low-income households while providing job training or community engagement opportunities with respect to each solar system installed2 7ii7 loan and grant recipients shall-- 7,i7 have installed not less than #fjj kilowatts of photovoltaic solar energy during the #b-year period preceding the date on which the loan or grant is provided to ensure consumer protection2 or 7,,ii7 until the goal described in subclause 7,i7 is achieved1 enter into partnership with an entity that-- 7aa7 has not less than #b years of experience deploying solar photovoltaic systems for low-income households in a manner that maximizes the savings benefits of solar access2 and 7bb7 was primarily responsible for the installation of at least #b megawatts of solar energy during the #b-year period preceding the date on which the loan or grant is provided2 7iii7 the photovoltaic solar electricity generating facilities installed using assistance provided under this subsection are safe1 high-quality systems that comply with local building and safety codes and standards2 7iv7 the provision of assistance under this subsection establishes and fosters a partnership between the ,federal ,government and grant-eligible households and loan-eligible entities1 resulting in efficient development of solar installations with-- 7,i7 minimal governmental intervention2 7,,ii7 limited governmental regulation2 and 7,,iii7 significant involvement by nonprofit and private entities2 7v7 solar projects installed using assistance provided under this subsection-- 7,i7 shall include job training2 and 7,,ii7 may include community participation in which job trainees and volunteers assist in the development of solar projects2 7vi7 assistance provided under this subsection prioritizes development in-- 7,i7 areas with low photovoltaic penetration2 7,,ii7 rural areas2 7,,iii7 ,indian tribal areas2 and 7,,iv7 other underserved areas1 including ,alaskan ,native and ,appalachian communities2 7vii7 solar systems are developed using assistance provided under this subsection on a geographically diverse basis among the grant-eligible households and loan-eligible entities2 and 7viii7 to the maximum extent practicable1 solar installation activities for which assistance is provided under this section leverage1 or connect grant-eligible households to1 federally or locally subsidized weatherization and energy efficiency efforts that meet or exceed local energy efficiency standards4 7,b7 ,determination ,if1 at any time1 the ,secretary determines that the goals described in this paragraph cannot be met by providing assistance in accordance with this subsection1 the ,secretary shall immediately submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a written notice of that determination1 including any proposed changes necessary to achieve the goals under this paragraph4 7#d7 ,community solar facilities 7,a7 ,in general ,a community solar facility may use a loan provided under this subsection only to offset the costs of generation and provision of solar energy to low-income households that are subscribers of the community solar facility4 7,b7 ,transfer and assignment of subscriptions ,a subscription to a community solar facility that receives assistance under this subsection may be transferred or assigned by the subscriber to-- 7i7 any subscriber organization2 or 7ii7 any individual or entity who qualifies to be a subscriber to that community solar facility4 7,c7 ,treatment 7i7 ,in general ,no owner1 operator1 or subscriber of a community solar facility that receives assistance under this subsection shall be subject to regulation by the ,federal ,energy ,regulatory ,commission solely as a result of an interest in the community solar facility4 7ii7 ,price of subscription ,the price paid for any subscription to a community solar facility shall not be subject to the regulation of any ,federal department1 agency1 or commission4 7c7 ,national competition 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall select grant-eligible households and loan-eligible entities to receive loans or grants under this section through a nationwide competitive process1 to be established by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,applications ,to be eligible to receive a loan or grant under this section1 a grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7#c7 ,requirements ,in selecting grant-eligible households and loan-eligible entities to receive loans or grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall1 at a minimum-- 7,a7 require that the grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity-- 7i7 enter into a grant or loan agreement1 as applicable1 under subsection 7d72 and 7ii7 has obtained financial commitments 7or has demonstrated the capacity to obtain financial commitments7 necessary to comply with that agreement2 7,b7 ensure that loans and grants are provided1 and amounts are used1 in a manner that results in geographical diversity throughout the ,united ,states and within ,states1 territories1 and ,indian tribal land among photovoltaic solar electricity generating facilities installed using the assistance provided under this section2 7,c7 to the maximum extent practicable1 expand photovoltaic solar energy availability to-- 7i7 geographical areas1 throughout the ,united ,states and within ,states1 territories1 and ,indian tribal land1 with-- 7,i7 low photovoltaic solar penetration2 or 7,,ii7 areas with a higher cost burden with respect to the deployment or installation of photovoltaic solar electricity generating facilities2 7ii7 rural communities2 7iii7 ,indian tribes2 and 7iv7 other underserved areas1 including ,appalachian and ,alaska ,native communities2 7,d7 take into account the warranty period and quality of the applicable photovoltaic solar electricity generating facility equipment and any necessary interconnecting equipment2 and 7,e7 ensure all calculations for estimated household energy savings are based solely on electricity offsets from the photovoltaic solar electricity generating facilities4 7d7 ,loan and grant agreements 7#a7 ,in general ,as a condition of receiving a loan or grant under this section1 a grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity shall enter into a loan or grant agreement1 as applicable1 with the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,requirements ,a loan or grant agreement under this subsection shall-- 7,a7 require the grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity-- 7i7 to use the assistance provided under this section only in accordance with this section2 7ii7 to install such number of solar systems with such defined capacity target 7expressed in megawatts7 as may be established by the ,secretary1 taking into consideration the costs associated with carrying out loan or grant obligations in the areas in which the solar systems will be developed2 7iii7 to use the assistance in a manner that leverages other sources of funding 7other than loans or grants under this section71 including private or public funds1 in developing the solar projects2 and 7iv7 to establish loan terms1 if applicable1 that maximize the benefit to the low-income households receiving solar energy from the loan-eligible entity2 7,b7 require the ,secretary to rescind any amounts provided to the grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity that are not used during the #b-year period beginning on the date on which the amounts are initially distributed to the grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity1 except in any case in which the grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the ,secretary that a longer period1 not to exceed #c years after the date of initial distribution1 is necessary to deliver proposed services2 7,c7 for a loan provided under this section1 establish-- 7i7 an interest rate equal to the then-current cost of funds to the ,department of the ,treasury for obligations of comparable maturity to the loan2 and 7ii7 a payout time that maximizes the savings to customers during the effective period of the agreement2 and 7,d7 contain such other terms as the ,secretary may require to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section4 7e7 ,use ,a grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity shall use a loan or grant provided under this section only for the following activities1 for the purpose of developing new photovoltaic solar projects in the ,united ,states for low-income households and individuals who otherwise would likely be unable to afford or purchase photovoltaic solar systems3 7#a7 ,photovoltaic solar equipment and installation ,to pay the costs of-- 7,a7 solar equipment1 including only photovoltaic solar equipment and storage and all hardware or software components relating to safely producing1 monitoring1 and connecting the system to the electric grid or onsite storage2 and 7,b7 installation1 including all direct labor associated with installing the photovoltaic solar equipment4 7#b7 ,job training ,to fund onsite job training and community or volunteer engagement1 including-- 7,a7 only job training costs directly associated with the solar projects funded under this section2 and 7,b7 job training opportunities that may cover the full range of the solar value chain1 such as marketing and outreach1 customer acquisition1 system design1 and installation positions4 7#c7 ,deployment support ,to fund entities that have a demonstrated ability1 as determined by the ,secretary-- 7,a7 to advise ,state and local entities regarding low-income solar policy1 regulatory1 and program design to continue and expand the work of the entities2 7,b7 to foster community outreach and education regarding the benefits of photovoltaic solar energy for low-income and disadvantaged communities2 or 7,c7 to provide apprenticeship program opportunities registered and approved by-- 7i7 the ,office of ,apprenticeship of the ,department of ,labor pursuant to part #bi of title #bi1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or successor regulations72 or 7ii7 a ,state ,apprenticeship ,agency recognized by that ,office4 7#d7 ,administration ,to pay the administrative expenses of the grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity1 including preproject feasibility efforts1 in carrying out the duties of the ,secretary associated with delivering proposed services1 subject to the requirement that not more than #ae percent of the total amount of the assistance provided to the grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity under this section may be used for administrative expenses4 7f7 ,compliance 7#a7 ,records and audits ,during the period beginning on the date of initial distribution to a grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity of a loan or grant under this section and ending on the termination date of the loan or grant under subsection 7g71 the grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity shall maintain such records and adopt such administrative practices as the ,secretary may require to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section and the applicable loan or grant agreement4 7#b7 ,determination by secretary ,if the ,secretary determines that a grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity that receives a grant or loan under this section has not1 during the #b-year period beginning on the date of initial distribution to the grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity of the assistance 7or such longer period as is established under subsection 7d77#b77;,b771 substantially fulfilled the obligations of the grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity under the applicable loan or grant agreement1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 rescind the balance of any funds distributed to1 but not used by1 the grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity under this section2 and 7,b7 use those amounts to provide other loans or grants in accordance with this section4 7g7 ,termination ,the ,secretary shall terminate a loan or grant provided under this section on a determination that the total amount of the loan or grant 7excluding any interest1 fees1 and other earnings of the loan or grant7 has been-- 7#a7 fully expended by the grant-eligible household or loan-eligible entity2 or 7#b7 returned to the ,secretary4 7h7 ,regulations ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall promulgate such regulations as the ,secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section1 to take effect on the date of promulgation4 7i7 ,funding ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section #bjj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjaf through #bjcj1 to remain available until expended4