Community Solar Garden

The minnesota legislature established an option for customers of xcel energy to support community solar also referred to as solar gardens or solar farms while only xcel was required to develop a community solar program other.

Community solar garden.

Community solar gardens are for people that want to go solar but are unable to do so on their own. In some systems you buy individual solar panels which are installed in the farm after your purchase. Perhaps you live in an apartment have a shaded roof at home or don t have space at your organization. The coalition for community solar access ccsa is a national coalition of businesses and non profits working to expand customer choice and access to solar for all american households and businesses through community solar their mission is to empower every american energy consumer with the option to choose local.

The act amends the current statute authorizing the creation of community solar gardens csgs by. Brewster community solar garden. The birthplace of community solar advocates the solar gardens institute and the rapidly expanding community solar project developer clean energy collective colorado is home to more community solar farms than any other state with at least 19 in operation at the time of writing. The energy is fed back to the grid.

Community solar vs rooftop solar. Community solar gardens are centrally located solar photovoltaic pv systems that provide electricity to participating subscribers. If you own a share in a community solar farm you will pay a set price for it which you can either pay for up front with cash or finance with a solar loan. This solar garden in massachusetts generates electricity through 1 440 pv solar panels.

In others you purchase kw capacity or kwh of production. Community solar also referred to as a solar garden is a form of distributed generation that involves a solar array with multiple subscribers who may purchase a portion of the power produced and receive a credit on their electric bill. A community solar farm or garden is a solar power installation that accepts capital from and provides output credit and tax benefits to individual and other investors. It is common and even required in some states for community solar projects to be jointly owned by participants.

The primary purpose of community solar is to allow members of a community the opportunity to share the benefits of solar power even if they cannot or prefer not to install solar panels on their property. Through virtual net metering credits for the power generated are transferred to the accounts of the community s residents. Additional community solar resources. State policy makes it relatively easy for projects to be developed.

Many people want to support renewable energy as a way to help the environment. Pay cash or finance with a solar loan. The coalition for community solar access. A recent national renewable energy laboratory report finds that 49 of households and 48 of businesses are.