FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2026
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Statement: California Assembly passes AB 1813, Moves on to Senate
AB 1813 (Ward), the Community Renewable Energy Program Act, strengthens the framework for a viable community solar and storage program in California and brings the state closer to delivering real bill relief for renters, low-income households, and small businesses. Below is a statement from Derek Chernow, Executive Director of Californians for Local, Affordable Solar and Storage (CLASS).
“With utility bills rising up and down the state, Californians need relief from skyrocketing electricity bills, and they need it now. We’re grateful to Assemblymember Ward for his leadership and to every member who voted to move this legislation forward.
“The bipartisan vote comes as polling shows overwhelming, cross-party demand for exactly the kind of solutions AB 1813 provides. Power bills in California rose nearly 50% between 2021 and 2025, and voters across party lines are demanding action.
“A recent survey of California voters found that 83% say reducing electricity bills should be a top or important priority for lawmakers, and 80% support allowing local energy resources — such as solar and battery storage — to compete with utilities to bring costs down. Independent analysis from Aurora Energy Research found that widespread deployment of community solar and storage could save California ratepayers $6.5 billion in energy costs.
“AB 1813 corrects more than a decade of failed community solar efforts in California by ensuring fair, avoided-cost-based compensation for projects, requiring that a majority of subscribers be low-income households, and creating a workable path for projects to come online quickly while protecting all ratepayers.
“With today’s Assembly passage, we look forward to working with our champions in the California Senate to keep this momentum going and get AB 1813 to the Governor’s desk.”
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Californians for Local, Affordable Solar and Storage (CLASS)is a coalition of community solar developers working to expand access to local, affordable clean energy, lower electricity bills for families and small businesses, and create new revenue opportunities for farmers and landowners across California.