4 Amazing Facts About Community Solar Programs

Whether you’re looking to save money on your electricity bills or are interested in the environmental benefits of solar energy, community solar programs are an excellent way to go. Not only are they a great way to save money, but they’re also a great way to get the benefits of solar energy to your entire community.

State Legislators Are Driving The Market Forward.

Several states are making strides to advance the clean energy future, with the climate movement’s climate forward leaders winning elections. New York has the nation’s largest pipeline of solar community projects, with nearly a gigawatt of projects installed. The program will help expand access to clean energy for all New Yorkers. According to the Illinois Power Agency Act, Illinois has a strong commitment to renewable energy, with the state on track to reach 40% renewables by 2030. The law also requires prevailing wages for non-residential wind and solar projects and that renewable energy investment in the state be reported annually. The Illinois Commerce Commission must investigate the state’s transmission capacity and electric resource adequacy in 2025. The federal Inflation Reduction Act earmarks $7 billion to support state community-solar programs. It will provide tax credits for prevailing-wage projects and expand tax credits for low-income projects. This could provide additional funding for community-solar development in California. The state’s Climate Act aims to install six gigawatts of distributed solar by 2025. In addition, the Climate Works Hubs program will help recruit and support equity-focused populations. The program will provide low-cost capital, pre-apprenticeship training, and operational support.

It’s A Way For Anyone To Benefit Directly From Solar Energy.

Unlike rooftop solar, community solar programs do not require home installation. Instead, solar panels are installed at an offsite location. The electricity produced by the panels is then fed into the local power grid. Community solar projects can be launched by a nonprofit or by a utility. It’s also possible to find a group purchasing deal to get many people a solar system at a low cost. In addition to saving on energy bills, community solar programs also spur economic development. It’s also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Community solar programs can be run on subscription or ownership models. In the subscription model, individuals subscribe to a local solar farm, thereby receiving bill credits for the energy produced by the farm. The most obvious benefit of community solar is the savings you can earn on your electric bill. Depending on the type of project, you could save anywhere from 5 to 15 percent annually. Depending on where you live, the annual savings could be even higher.

It’s A Great Solution For Customers Who Rent Their Properties.

Historically, solar companies have been reluctant to give leases to renters because of high cancellation fees and long-term contracts. However, today’s community solar programs offer a solution. They allow customers to subscribe to a portion of a solar farm and receive solar credits on their electricity bills. Solar community projects can generally be of two types: subscription-based or ownership-based. Subscription-based programs are the more popular choice. In subscription-based programs, customers subscribe to a project and pay a monthly fee. The number of panels that they subscribe to depends on their energy usage. For renters, the best community solar programs allow customers to pay for their share of the system in smaller, more affordable installments. This is especially good for those living in apartments or multi-tenant buildings. Community solar also offers an excellent solution for homeowners without solar panels. For example, some people opt to install solar panels on their secondary structures, such as garages. This will save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It’s A Way To Spread The Benefits Of Energy Savings To Everyone In Your Community.

Whether you live in a shared housing facility, have a low income, or cannot afford to install solar panels on your own roof, a solar community program is a great way to benefit from cleaner solar power without spending a lot of money. These programs allow you to reduce energy costs and earn solar credits on your electricity bill. Utilities, electric cooperatives, and municipal utilities can offer community solar programs. They are designed to provide annual savings to subscription customers. Depending on the location and project, annual savings can range from 5 to 15%. The savings from a solar community project can benefit both businesses and residential consumers. For example, a hospital could use the savings to increase its services or to serve patients better. Similarly, a business could reduce energy costs, making it more profitable. These programs can also benefit nonprofits. A religious organization may want to use the savings to enhance its mission. There are also options for large commercial and industrial users. In addition to savings, solar community projects also provide clean energy and reduce pollution. They are designed to reduce the dependence on big power plants and minimize power outages. The energy produced from the solar project is fed into the local power grid.