California Solar Initiative: distributed energy resource equipment lists.

Senator McNerney's proposal to expand California's solar energy framework would authorize the State Energy Commission to establish standardized equipment lists for solar systems, energy storage, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The legislation builds upon the existing California Solar Initiative by creating rating standards for distributed energy resource components.

The bill maintains California's established goals of installing 3,000 megawatts of solar generation capacity while aiming for solar systems on 50 percent of new homes within 13 years. Under the proposed changes, the Energy Commission would develop equipment lists with specific rating standards for solar energy systems, distributed storage systems, and both standard and bidirectional electric vehicle charging equipment. The Commission must adopt guidelines for these lists through a public process requiring 30 days' notice for initial adoption and 10 days' notice for subsequent modifications.

The measure adds formal definitions for key technologies, including distributed energy storage systems and electric vehicle service equipment, while preserving existing parameters for solar energy systems - those producing between one kilowatt and five megawatts of alternating current rated peak electricity. These definitions create a standardized framework for evaluating equipment and components across different distributed energy applications.