[RE-wrenches] community solar

[Dave Click]

If you have a muni then it's possible, but I'd guess that with most 
investor-owned utilities they'd just laugh in your face. There are a few 
utilites out there that have done this- I think that Portland, OR and 
Seattle have this and we're working on it here in Orlando too.

These links should help:
http://votesolar.org/2010/12/community-solar-coming-to-a-town-near-you/
http://votesolar.org/communitysolar/
http://irecusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IREC-Community-Renewables-Report-11-16-10_FINAL.pdf

Larry Brown wrote:
> 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
>
>
>
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