As legislative sessions wrap up across the country, we're celebrating important clean energy wins—and preparing for the fights ahead. Swipe to see key clean energy wins, challenges, and updates from statehouses across the country. While we secured some exciting victories, our work doesn’t end with legislative sessions. Become a Solar Sustainer to provide the steady support that allows us to organize year-round, hold decision-makers accountable, and keep delivering clean energy wins: bit.ly/442iTZt

Solar beats coal in the US electricity mix for the first month ever: electrek.co/2026/06/09/solar…

The latest #FreeingtheGrid interconnection grades have been released, showing notable improvements in several states! Freeing the Grid is a joint initiative of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and Vote Solar that grades states on key policies that help to increase clean energy adoption and access to the grid. The #interconnection grades evaluate the quality of each U.S. state’s #interconnection procedures. These policies dictate how energy projects are reviewed and approved to connect to the electric distribution grid, playing a significant role in how efficiently and affordably #cleanenergy projects can be developed. Grades are based on ten categories of criteria that evaluate the cost, efficiency, and transparency of the interconnection process, the technologies that are eligible, and other factors. Each state’s “report card” identifies how its policies perform across these 10 criteria and identifies priority recommendations for how it can improve. Explore now at freeingthegrid.org!

Exciting news 🎉 The SUNNY Act — which would immediately give New Yorkers access to plug-in solar — has passed both houses of the state legislature. Session ends tomorrow, and we can’t afford to let this opportunity slip away. Urge Governor Hochul to sign the SUNNY Act into law: action.votesolar.org/a/ny26-…

Extreme heat, power outages, and grid failures hit hardest in communities already struggling to make ends meet. Community Power Networks help change that by turning new and existing energy sources like local solar and battery storage, smart thermostats, and EV chargers into a community-wide backup system. It’s a way for communities to control their energy future — and to make reliable clean power accessible for everyone. Learn more about the energy system of tomorrow that we can invest in today: votesolar.org/community-powe…

Vote Solar’s Managing Director of Campaigns, @JohnDelurey, explains how Community Power Networks (Virtual Power Plants) are a cost-saving solar solution — and how Illinois’ Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act can help shape the state’s energy future ☀️ Learn more: utilitydive.com/news/illinoi…

Utilities like @PGE4Me are spending too much money without clear oversight or accountability and California families are paying for it. We need the Public Utilities Commission to take a strong stand on behalf of the people of California and stop blank checks for utilities by limiting the use of memorandum and balance accounts.

As summer approaches and temperatures rise, communities across the country are asking the same question: Can our aging energy grid keep us safe from the heat at a price we can afford? That’s where Community Power Networks come in. By coordinating thousands of local energy resources, community power networks reduce peak demand and prevent costly outages without raising rates. Families gain access to cleaner power, policymakers avoid wasteful infrastructure spending, and communities become more resilient during extreme weather. Reliable energy shouldn’t come with a higher bill — Community Power Networks prove it doesn’t have to.

We’re excited to announce Tarak Shah as our new Chair of the Board. Tarak brings deep federal leadership experience from his time as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he helped shape national clean energy strategy. His expertise will help strengthen Vote Solar’s continued work advancing clean energy policy across the country and expanding access to affordable, reliable solar power at the state level. Read More: votesolar.org/vote-solar-boa…

As electricity costs continue rising nationwide, solar solutions like California’s DSGS program demonstrate the real-world value of virtual power plants and community energy programs. Listen to @sachcon on the USEA Power Sector Podcast discuss how local solar and storage aren’t just climate solutions — they’re affordability and reliability solutions too: youtube.com/watch?v=iYlnL-Ka…

While plug-in solar legislation didn't pass in Illinois this session, we've made a lot of progress with stakeholders and are optimistic about the future of plug-in solar in Illinois. Read more: nacleanenergy.com/solar/stro…

politico.com/news/2026/05/08… This is why we need data center accountability. We demand data centers: 💰️ Pay their fair share ⚡️ Bring new clean energy online when they plug in 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Keep the costs of corporate growth from falling on families Our communities can't wait—demand data center accountability now.

Community Power Networks, also known as Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), coordinate thousands of small energy sources that already exist in our communities — community solar, rooftop panels, batteries, EVs, and more. By coordinating these resources, a Community Power Network keeps energy flowing when the grid is under strain and reduces the need for costly grid upgrades that drive bills up. This is reliability built from the ground up, powered by the people who live in the community. VPPs put families at the center of a stronger, more affordable, and more resilient energy system.

Colorado has become the 4th state in the nation to sign plug in solar into law! Learn more about Vote Solar's pivotal role in advancing plug-in solar legislation in Colorado: nacleanenergy.com/solar/colo…

The stars are aligning in Massachusetts for real electricity affordability reform — and a smarter approach to how we build and manage the grid is right at the center of it. Learn more about Massachusetts' opportunity to bring community-based power to the grid: votesolar.org/massachusetts-…

May the fourth be with you! While Tatooine – a planet in the Star Wars galaxy – may have two suns, here on Earth we have something just as powerful to strengthen solar energy: advocacy. Our Amp Up the People Guide is your holocron for energy advocacy – download the guide to fight for accessible, affordable clean energy: votesolar.org/utility-regula…

Solar-powered smoothies? Yes please! We joined the SUNNY Coalition and pro-solar elected officials at the NYS Capitol to rally and show support for the Solar Up Now New York (SUNNY) Act ☀️ The bill passed the Senate on Earth Day (UNANIMOUSLY!) and we are now calling on the Assembly to match them. Bringing plug-in solar to the grid should be a smooth transition – it's affordable, safe, and makes solar solutions more accessible. Make sure to follow our page and we'll keep you updated on our progress in New York and across the country to advance plug-in solar! 🔌

At the same time that 1 in 5 California residents are behind on their utility bills, PG&E, Sempra and Edison’s CEOs are paid multi-million dollar salaries. All three CEOs are among the ten highest paid utility CEOs in the country. energyandpolicy.org/utility-…

Connecticut is undergoing a major shift in how utilities are regulated—and it’s worth paying attention to. Historically, utilities have operated under a model where investments are made first and evaluated later through the ratemaking process. PBR flips that approach. It starts with clear goals and asks a simple question: Are utilities achieving the outcomes that matter? Learn more here: fortnightly.com/fortnightly/…

Community Power Networks link the affordable clean energy we already have in our communities — rooftop solar, home batteries, smart devices — into one shared resource that can support the grid when demand spikes. Instead of building expensive new fossil fuel plants, a community power network coordinates what we already have, lowering costs for families and reducing strain when demand spikes or the energy grid is under stress. It’s reliable power made local, flexible, and accessible. When our neighborhoods generate and share energy, everyone benefits.