Montana is moving forward on a landmark clean energy policy with the legislature’s recent approval of SB 188, a bipartisan bill that authorizes the creation of a new community solar program known as Solar Shares. The measure passed with strong support in both chambers and now awaits Governor Greg Gianforte’s signature.
As reported by Solar Power World, the Montana Renewable Energy Association (MREA) and the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) jointly applauded the bill’s passage, issuing a public letter this week to the Montana Public Service Commission that affirms the industry’s commitment to responsible and equitable program implementation.
The letter outlines a set of voluntary limitations that the renewable energy industry says will help tailor the Solar Shares program to Montana’s unique energy landscape. These provisions are intended to address concerns raised throughout the legislative process while ensuring long-term benefits for ratepayers, utilities, and developers alike.
Montana Approves Community Solar Program: What It Means for Residents
Among the commitments made by the industry are:
- Ensuring bill credits are based solely on the value that the community solar projects provide to the grid
- Guaranteeing that utilities are compensated for distribution service costs related to the existing infrastructure
- Requiring solar developers to cover all interconnection expenses and necessary system upgrades
- Placing a voluntary cap of 100 megawatts on program growth over the next three years to maintain a manageable rollout
“As stated in our letter, we are committed to working with all stakeholders to do what’s best for Montanans: expanding access to affordable, locally generated energy,” said Jeff Cramer, CEO and President of the Coalition for Community Solar Access. “By providing these commitments to the Commission, we are adding another layer of protection for the state to derisk and build upon what is already a strong, bipartisan piece of legislation, and encourage the Governor to sign it into law.”
The Solar Shares program is designed to offer Montanans—including those who cannot install rooftop solar—an opportunity to benefit from clean, locally generated electricity. It enables households and small businesses to subscribe to off-site solar arrays and receive credits on their utility bills, creating a more equitable path to energy savings.
“Solar Shares is a Montana-grown energy solution that can provide power locally, keep transmission costs down, and increase our grid reliability without any state subsidies,” said Brad Van Wert, President of the Montana Renewable Energy Association. “A pro-small business Governor and state would benefit immensely from this program.”
If the program moves forward under the proposed 100 MW cap, it is expected to generate significant economic activity. Projections show the program could drive $280 million in local economic impact, create 1,200 jobs across the state, and deliver real utility bill savings for Montana families and small businesses. Some developers also envision pairing community solar arrays with localized energy storage to enhance grid stability during peak demand and changing weather conditions.
With Governor Gianforte’s signature, Montana would join the growing number of states embracing community solar as a practical, market-based solution to clean energy expansion. The Solar Shares program, shaped by bipartisan support and industry accountability, marks a major step toward expanding clean energy access while protecting the financial and operational integrity of Montana’s power grid.