California Solar Initiative: distributed energy resource equipment lists.

Senator McNerney's proposal to expand California's distributed energy resource framework authorizes the Energy Commission to establish equipment lists and rating standards for solar systems, energy storage, bidirectional charging systems, and electric vehicle supply equipment.

The legislation modifies the California Solar Initiative by creating standardized lists of qualifying distributed energy technologies that advance state environmental and energy objectives. Under the bill, the Energy Commission would develop and maintain rating standards for various equipment categories while preserving existing solar system incentive requirements. The Commission must adopt guidelines for these equipment lists through a public process requiring 30 days' notice for initial adoption and 10 days' notice for substantive changes.

The bill defines several key technologies within its scope: bidirectional charging systems that enable two-way power flow between electric vehicles and the grid, energy storage systems that can store and discharge electricity, and electric vehicle supply equipment for charging plug-in vehicles. These definitions establish clear parameters for which technologies may qualify for inclusion in the equipment lists. The legislation maintains current provisions regarding solar energy systems, which must generate between 1 kilowatt and 5 megawatts of alternating current peak electricity to meet eligibility criteria.