Following up on a popular post one week ago, on Solar Mosaic’s unique community solar program, we shot the folks there some more questions asking for more details on a few things. Aside from a response in the comments of that post, I received the following email from a Solar Mosaic employee:
1. Building owners have the option to buy the installation once the initial lease ends. In most cases, this is 20 years. Although, depending on the project, it could be less. The expected lifespan of the installations is 25 to 40 years. Solar Mosaic is responsible for maintaining and insuring the system and allows for community centers (schools, churches, non-profits) to take advantage of federal incentives that are, unfortunately, written in a way that makes it very difficult for them to do so on their own.
2. The pay-offs for building owners are lower electricity costs (not insignificant over the installation’s lifetime), supporting clean energy, stepping up as community leaders, and by crowdfunding projects it allows them to engage their supporters and beyond.
We also know that Community Solar is much more than the projects we do, and is why we love seeing successful models like Solar Schools, community solar gardens, and other models popping. Most of us at Mosaic have come from a clean energy community organizing mold. To help build the movement, we are currently organizing a Community Solar Day on November 20th. We are encouraging everyone that can not go solar with us to organize an event, educate their peers, and find ways to go solar in their own communities. As part of Community Solar Day, we have created a tool kit to help anyone navigate the barriers of going solar. Signing up for a meet-up will keep you in touch with our developments and help inspire others to join the movement.
If you have any questions, ideas, or thoughts please don’t hesitate to follow up with us.
Back to comments from Zach: We’ve written about the Community Solar Day, as well. If you want to learn more, the folks there seem eager to answer questions, and Lisa left her email in the comment she left on the initial post: lisa@solarmosaic.com. If you’re really into Solar Mosaic’s model, you might want to “Like” and “Follow” them on Facebook and Twitter, and you can always share our posts on them 
.
About Zachary Shahan
