Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)  announced it has signed on the first community solar project for its Regional Renewable Choice program with the renewable energy developer ForeFront Power.

The program allows all customers, including renters and those who can’t install solar, the option of purchasing up to 100 percent solar energy without having to install private rooftop solar panels.

Approximately half of U.S. households and businesses are unable to install rooftop solar due to space, lack of sun exposure or ownership limitations. 

“The Regional Renewable Choice program is part of our ongoing commitment to support the growth of solar and other renewable energy sources in California. This program enables our customers to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from their electricity usage and allows them to directly be a part of California’s clean energy future,” said Vincent Davis, PG&E’s senior director of Customer Energy Solutions.

Based in Fresno County, the 1.66 megawatt solar project will be built by the renewable energy developer ForeFront Power. Participating customers will sign a contract directly with ForeFront Power to subscribe to a portion of the energy produced by the solar project. Customers will receive a program credit from PG&E on their monthly energy statement based on the kilowatt-hour output of their subscription with the developer.

Both residential and business customers in Fresno County expressed interest in the project. This new community solar project is expected to be completed and delivering energy to customers in mid-2019.