Governor Signs Legislation Boosting Renewable Energy
Gov. Ned Lamont on July 17 signed into law Public Act 26-127, which contains several initiatives to make renewable energy — including solar energy and battery storage — an accessible and affordable option for homeowners, renters, and businesses in Connecticut.
The state’s renewable energy programs now have a renewed focus on affordability at a time when costs are placing pressure on households.
“As we transition to a cleaner energy future, we must make sure that every family, especially those struggling with high utility bills, can share the benefits,” Lamont said. “This act delivers meaningful value to ratepayers and streamlines residential solar permitting. It represents another major step forward in building an energy landscape that is affordable, resilient, clean, and built for the long term.”
The act reauthorizes Connecticut’s existing residential, commercial, and community solar energy programs — which were set to expire in 2027 — through 2035, enabling these incentives to continue supporting the transition to renewable energy at a time when energy demand is growing and electric affordability remains a central concern for households and employers. Federal incentives for rooftop solar panels expired last year.
Additionally, the act focuses future program benefits on customers and communities with higher energy burdens, supports battery storage as a tool for grid reliability, and advances more consistent residential solar and storage permitting so projects can move forward more efficiently while maintaining important safety protections and siting considerations. The act also allows for support of responsible solar growth by prioritizing development of solar on rooftops, brownfields, municipal and state buildings, and other commercial spaces.
The bill also requires that the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority prioritize benefits to ratepayers by ensuring that the public benefits charge is limited and the net impact of the bill is a reduction.
The legislation’s approval was led in the General Assembly by State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) and State Representative Jonathan Steinberg (D-Westport), co-chairs of the Energy and Technology Committee.
The act is being hailed by state officials and clean energy advocates as a major win for Connecticut’s renewable energy future.
Emma Cimino, acting commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said, “Public Act 26-127 strengthens the foundation of Connecticut’s clean energy transition by giving residents, businesses, and communities clearer pathways to access affordable, reliable renewable power. These updates have the potential to deliver real benefits for ratepayers while also supporting responsible growth of solar and storage and slashing residential solar permitting timelines.”
Charles Rothenberger, director of government relations for Save the Sound, said, “We are delighted that Governor Lamont is ensuring that Connecticut’s residents continue to benefit from clean, renewable energy. The benefits of solar, in particular, were made abundantly clear as we entered the recent holiday weekend heatwave. As temperature approached 97 degrees and people fired up their air conditioning units, rooftop solar systems were shaving more than 6.3 megawatts off the regional electricity grid’s load, a demand reduction of 25%. As a result, the region was able to avoid purchasing power from the most polluting, and most expensive, fossil-fueled peaker plants. This can save ratepayers more $8 million dollars in a single afternoon, in addition to the avoided adverse health and environmental impacts.”
Connor Yakaitis, deputy director of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, said, “At a time when Connecticut residents remain concerned about the cost of utilities, this action reinforces our state’s commitment to expanding renewable energy, lowering long-term energy costs, and building a more resilient electric grid. While more work remains to make energy more affordable and achieve our state’s clean energy goals, today’s action provides a strong foundation for continued progress.”
Nick Josefowitz, CEO of Permit Power, a national energy affordability nonprofit, said, “This bill includes important provisions that will make it cheaper and easier for Connecticut families to install home solar and batteries and save money on their utility bills. Connecticut is the first state in New England to automate permitting for home solar and battery projects, reducing costly and unnecessary red tape. This bill also makes it easier for families to buy a small plug-in solar system that they can install as easily as a toaster to save money on their electricity bills.”
