California's community solar bill AB 1813 was vetoed: what it means

If you rent, live in a condo, or have a shaded roof, community solar is how you would subscribe to a share of a nearby solar farm and get a credit on your bill. A bill to build that market in California, AB 1813, passed the Legislature this year. On September 30, 2026, Governor Newsom vetoed it.

What AB 1813 would have done: create a community solar and storage program in which projects pair panels with batteries so they deliver power during evening peaks, and require most projects to serve low-income subscribers. Subscriber credits would have been set using the CPUC's Avoided Cost Calculator, a tool that estimates what clean power is worth to the grid. Supporters projected savings of about $190 a year per subscriber, or $250 for low-income households, according to Solar Power World.

Why it was vetoed: in his message, the governor said the bill would "effectively require an administratively set price for the generation of power that exceeds the value that generation provides to the grid," and estimated about $1.5 billion a year in added costs for ratepayers, as reported by Energy-Storage.news. California's Public Advocates Office had also opposed the bill.

Who it affects: about 44% of Californians rent, according to a UCLA study covered by the Daily Bruin, and most renters cannot put panels on their roof. An earlier 2022 law, AB 2316, directed the CPUC to create a community solar program, but supporters say no projects launched under it.

What you can do now:

PG&E customers can look at Solar Choice, which lets you match 50% or 100% of your use with solar. PG&E's site says enrollment is on hold with a waitlist, and the program is closed to Community Choice Aggregator customers and anyone on net metering. If your power comes from a CCA, check whether it offers a higher-renewable plan.

Starting in 2027, SB 868, which the governor signed, allows small plug-in solar systems up to 1,200 watts that many renters and condo owners may be able to use. A veto means the bill does not become law this session; lawmakers can introduce a new version in a future session.

Your next step today: look at the top of your electric bill to see whether your power comes from a utility or a CCA, then visit that provider's website and search "renewable plan" to see what you can sign up for now.