[RE-wrenches] community solar

[Larry Brown]

wrenches.

I have had several inquires into this possible scenario.  anybody have  
any experience doing this with their local utility?

several families in a neighborhood or community invest together to put  
up a solar array either on an existing building that has excellent  
solar access or a ground mount that also has a wide solar window.  the  
system is set up so that it is configured into sub arrays with each  
sub array having an inverter and a kwh meter that records the output  
of that sub array. each of the sub arrays is designated (by agreement  
and the proper paper work)  to a particular family based on how much  
they invested into the system.  the output of the whole system is then  
grid tied and all of the kwh go directly to the utility.  it is then  
just a matter of accounting in that each of the sub arrays kwh's  
produced is deducted from the kwh's used by that particular customer  
on their home or business utility bill.  So the customer either has a  
credit that is carried over or has a balance owed that appears on the  
next utility bill.

The design and installation is straight forward and in one centralized  
local location.
It is only a matter of paper work and accounting.
And it builds community and neighbors get to know each other
Much like Community Supported Agriculture

Larry Brown
Sun Mountain