On a recent post about clean energy crowdfunding, a reader dropped a link to SolarShare Community Bonds, which finances community-based solar projects in Ontario. As the website states:
“Community Solar Bonds deliver ‘triple bottom line’ returns, creating economic, social and environmental benefits. The bonds earn 5% annually over a 5 year term. They are invested in solar power projects that generate clean renewable energy, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and supporting local employment in Ontario’s emerging clean energy industry.”
To purchase a bond, you must become a SolarShare Co-op member, a one-time cost of $40. Each co-op member gets a vote in the co-op.
Here’s a little more info from the SolarShare site:
“SolarShare privately raised bridge financing totalling over $3.7 million in order to construct its initial round of solar projects. Today, 18 projects (17 smaller ground mounted rural installations and one large industrial rooftop system) are completed, installed and generating electricity. Since these projects are already completed, SolarShare Community Solar Bonds are at lower risk and offer a steady income for 20 years.”
I'm the director of CleanTechnica, the most popular clean energy website in the world, and Planetsave, a leading green and science news site. I've been covering green news of various sorts since 2008, and I've been especially focused on solar energy, electric vehicles, bicycling, and wind energy for the past few years. You can also find my work on Scientific American, Reuters, Think Progress, GE's ecomagination site, several sites in the Important Media network, & many other places. To connect on some of your favorite social networks, go to zacharyshahan.com or click on some of the links below.
