[RE-wrenches] community solar

[Michael Welch]

This is a great topic for discussion on the RE-Markets list, where there are several more policy-oriented folks than here. I am cc'ing that address in this reply, so let's move the discussion there.

Community solar is an important, up-and-coming thing. Specially for folks that don't have solar access. There's lots to it, like what kind of organizations can be set up to do this, and some serious barriers like securities regulations.

Home Power has a couple of good community solar pieces in edit right now for the June/July issue.

Larry Brown wrote at 12:56 PM 4/7/2011:
 
>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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