Solar Energy - Distributed Generation Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, Ground-Mounted Solar, and Small Solar Siting Workgroup

SB 983 establishes a new "distributed generation certificate of public convenience and necessity" required for small solar projects (like rooftop or ground-mounted systems) before construction begins. It prohibits counties from using zoning laws to restrict or block ground-mounted solar installations. The bill also creates a Small Solar Siting Workgroup to develop statewide model policies and siting guidelines for solar energy systems. This directly affects solar developers (who must obtain the certificate) and local governments (which can no longer block solar via zoning).