In the wave of green energy, there is no doubt that solar energy has been one of the most popular stars. With the development of technology and policy, more and more consumers and enterprises begin to pay attention to a newly-emerging energy option: community solar. How great would it be if there were a way to support local, clean energy without having any solar panels installed, while saving money on your electric bill? Today, we are going to take the mystery off of community solar and bring you into the era of shared green energy.
What is Community Solar?
Have you ever driven down the highway and seen huge solar panels or seen them around town? These “solar farms” are part of a community solar program. Unlike a typical rooftop solar system, a community solar project is a large, centralized solar power facility that can be large enough to power thousands of homes. The beauty is you don’t need to install any solar equipment to benefit from solar energy.
Put differently, community solar is a “shared” energy solution: you subscribe to a near-by solar power program and get a certain percent of the solar energy according to how much electricity you use. That means that whether you are a renter, or even live in an area that does not have an ideally situated roof for solar panels, or if your roof simply has too much shade, community solar is a great option.
How does it work? –Virtual Net Metering (VNM)
Does it sound a bit complicated? Let us show, step by step, how one can save on the electricity bill by availing the facility of community solar.
Subscribe to a community solar power plant
First, you locate an open community solar program in your locality and enroll as a subscriber to the same. That way you will be a part of the solar farm with the rightful share of electricity.
Grid-connected Solar panels
These solar panels do not power your house directly but instead feed the electricity generated into the grid. The utility company distributes the green power to your home or business.
Billing Credits
You will get a credit toward your electricity bill based on your share of the community solar program. That means you do not take electricity directly from the solar panels, but through this “virtual power exchange,” you get green power from the grid and reduce your electric bill.
Save money on your electricity bill
This means your bill for electricity per month will be 5% to 20% lower, depending upon the subscription of the solar system you get with the contract, against conventional utility electricity. You save money by spending less for your electric bill from the traditional electric provider while getting to enjoy green energy and doing good for the environment.
Why Community Solar?
Now, one might ask, why community solar? What are the benefits of community solar compared to traditional solar panels? Below are some key reasons:
1. Ideal for renters and homes where their roof is not suitable for solar installation
Well, if you rent or have a shaded roof that prohibits you from installing solar panels, community solar is definitely the best alternative. Community solar programs let you take part in solar energy without the hustle and cost of installation-you can still reap its benefits.
2. Save money on your electricity bill
Depending on your subscription, joining community solar can help you save between 5% and 20% on your electricity bill every year. Even a 10% savings can bring you significant financial benefits, especially if your electricity bill is high. Through community solar, you are not only able to support the development of clean energy but also effectively reduce your energy costs.
3. No initial investment required
With community solar, you are not required to pay the high upfront installation costs associated with the traditional rooftop solar systems. You are only required to pay a monthly bill, which again makes community solar highly affordable, especially for budget families.
4. Flexibility and Cancellability
If you decide not to participate anymore, or are planning to move in the future, community solar has very few instances where it would attach a long-term contract. Most programs provide a subscription that can easily be canceled at any given time without termination fees being required. You just have to give them notice up-front.
5. Support the local development of clean energy
Further, while joining a community solar program, you get access to green power and contribute to local renewable energy development. Mostly construction and maintenance of the solar power plant are done by a staff employed from the local in Community Solar. This provides more jobs and develops the local economy.
Community Solar vs. Rooftop Solar
While community solar has many advantages, some fundamental differences exist between community solar and rooftop solar. We can compare them to make a better choice for you:
| Feature | Community Solar | Rooftop Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Installation Location | Typically installed in public areas, such as parks, schools, or community centers | Installed on individual residential rooftops |
| Cost | Lower, as costs are shared among community members | Higher, with the entire installation and maintenance cost borne by the individual household |
| Maintenance | Usually managed by a third party, residents do not need to worry about maintenance issues | Requires the homeowner to maintain or hire a professional company |
| Energy Usage | Energy is shared, used collectively by community members | Energy is used exclusively by the homeowner |
| Environmental Impact | Reduces carbon emissions and increases the community’s overall renewable energy ratio | Reduces the carbon footprint of an individual household |
| Policy Support | May receive more policy support and subsidies | Subsidy policies may vary by region |
| Return on Investment | May be slower due to costs and benefits being shared among community members | Faster, as savings on electricity bills go directly to the homeowner |
| Community Involvement | Requires community members to participate and support | Mainly decided and invested in by the homeowner |
Community solar may be your best option if your area isn’t suitable for rooftop solar or you’re only living there temporarily. If you are a long-term resident and your roof is suitable for solar panels, rooftop solar may give you a higher long-term return.
The Future of Community Solar
Community solar presently looks very promising, with the growing demand for renewable energy around the world. It is envisioned that over the next years, the United States and other countries will create a huge drive toward community solar to enable more homes and businesses to be energy-independent. By 2025, community solar programs powered with green energy will save billions of dollars on electric bills for over 5 million homes worldwide.
This trend not only provides consumers with better green energy options, but also encourages the development of the clean energy industry and job growth.
As community solar continues to grow in popularity, a new frontier of greener, more sustainable energy is unfolding. As a pioneer in the industry, Hui Jue Group has been working in the field of green energy for many years and is committed to providing efficient and sustainable solar energy solutions for users around the world. No matter for rooftop PV installation or participating in Community Solar, the professional advice or services by Hui Jue Group can make the dream come true of saving energy and protecting the environment.