Community Solar: The Power of Going Solar Together

In the United States, a staggering 75% of households, nearly 90 million, lack access to solar power. These individuals face various barriers, including not owning property (such as house and apartment renters), having roofs unsuitable for installing solar panels, or living in homes with roofs that receive insufficient sunlight. Even among those who own rooftops suitable for solar power, over a third hesitate to embrace solar energy due to the substantial upfront costs, which is a significant deterrent for potential adopters.
So, how can we work toward achieving America's clean energy goals and make solar power more accessible?

What is Community Solar?

Community solar reimagines how clean energy is generated and distributed. Instead of relying on individual residential systems, community solar taps into the power generated by a larger solar array in a separate location from the end user. This shared energy is then distributed among multiple homeowners or renters, making clean energy accessible to a broader spectrum of people.

How Does Community Solar Work?

Community solar participants either subscribe to or own a portion of the energy generated by the community solar installation. In return, they receive credits on their electricity bills based on their share of the energy produced. This approach presents several advantages:

1. Economies of Scale: Community solar systems are larger than individual residential installations. This reduces per-unit energy costs, making clean energy more affordable.
2. Capital Costs: The subscription model of community solar spreads out the capital investment required for solar infrastructure, eliminating the high upfront costs that deter many from installing rooftop panels.
3. Cost Savings: On average, community solar subscribers enjoy 10-15% lower energy bills compared to those who depend on traditional energy sources. This makes solar energy more attainable for middle and lower-income households.

What are the Barriers to Community Solar?

Community solar projects tackle multiple barriers to solar adoption. Here are just some of the ways how:

1. Benefits for Renters: Renters who wish to embrace renewable energy and save on utility bills can participate without the need for property ownership or structural modifications.
2. Affordability: Community solar subscriptions can be tailored to accommodate various budgets, ensuring that solar energy is within reach of a wide range of households.
3. Eliminating High Upfront Costs: The most significant barrier to rooftop solar—high upfront costs—is effectively eliminated, making solar energy accessible to a broader demographic.
4. Maintenance and Responsibility: Households using community solar no longer bear the responsibility of maintaining individual solar installations. This reduces the burden and risk associated with system upkeep.

What are the Benefits of Community Solar?

The advantages of community solar extend beyond individual households, too. They ripple throughout the entire community in several different ways.

1. Reduced Emissions: By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, community solar projects contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment for all.
2. Local Job Creation: The installation and maintenance of community solar systems generate local clean energy jobs, promoting economic growth.
3. Income for Landowners: Landowners hosting solar panels on their properties receive lease income, adding an extra layer of community benefits.
4. Local Economic Impact: Community solar keeps money spent on energy circulating locally, strengthening the local economy.
5. Community Unity: Participating in a community solar project unites neighborhoods and communities in their commitment to making a positive environmental impact.

What are the Risks of Community Solar?

Reliability and safety are paramount for any community solar installation. That’s because more people rely on them than individual residential solar systems. To ensure consistent, reliable uptime, several critical factors come into play:

1. Qualified Technicians: Skilled technicians must perform professional installation and conduct regular maintenance of community solar installations.
2. Monitoring and Swift Resolution: A robust monitoring system is essential to quickly identifying and addressing any issues that may arise.
3. Adherence to Strict Schedules: Regular maintenance checks and adherence to stringent schedules ensure that the system operates optimally.
4. Preventative Maintenance: Regular replacement of parts and timely repairs help maintain the system's reliability over time.

These tasks require solar-specific tools designed for reliable use and the safety of solar technicians.

What is the Future of Community Solar?

Community solar represents the future of solar energy, unlocking the benefits of renewable power for previously excluded households, including renters, condo and apartment dwellers, and those with shaded roofs. Moreover, by ensuring optimal maintenance through using the right tools and following the right procedures, community solar installations can be safe, reliable, and resilient. And ultimately, that will help further drive the adoption of clean energy.
Community solar represents an exciting way to help pioneer a global transition to clean energy—one that distributes clean, resilient, local energy more equitably, ensuring that every home can harness the sun. By pooling resources and sharing the benefits, community solar projects are leading the way toward a more accessible and sustainable energy future for all.