CleanTechnica » Community Solar http://cleantechnica.com Clean Tech News & Views: Solar Energy News. Wind Energy News. EV News. & More. Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:48:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1 $16 Million For “Off Grid Electric” From SolarCity http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/16-million-grid-electric-solarcity/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/16-million-grid-electric-solarcity/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2014 11:19:09 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76377 “Off Grid Electric” explains that it delivers 50 times more light for less money than the norm in the markets it serves. The people it supplies are often using kerosene lamps to light their homes. Furthermore, it is more than light that these people need. Pre-pay solar energy from Off Grid Electric gives them electricity to charge

$16 Million For “Off Grid Electric” From SolarCity was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/16-million-grid-electric-solarcity/feed/ 6 First Solar Jumps Into Community Solar (This Is A Big Deal) http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/16/community-solar-first-solar/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/16/community-solar-first-solar/#comments Tue, 16 Dec 2014 11:38:15 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76412 Originally published on Planetsave. There has long been a huge gap in the solar market, a gap between large, utility-scale solar projects and rooftop solar projects. It would be a disservice to numerous companies, organizations, citizen investors, and solar-supportive politicians to say that there has been nothing between those two installation types, but this middle

First Solar Jumps Into Community Solar (This Is A Big Deal) was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/16/community-solar-first-solar/feed/ 4 A $48 Billion Opportunity For US Electric Customers http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/15/48-billion-opportunity-us-electric-customers/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/15/48-billion-opportunity-us-electric-customers/#comments Mon, 15 Dec 2014 16:43:09 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76368 Originally published on ilsr.org. Electricity customers in the US got good news last week. A new report from Accenture highlighted a potential revenue loss for US utilities of $48 billion per year by 2025 due to distributed solar and energy efficiency. But where does that money go? If we pursue a democratic energy system as

A $48 Billion Opportunity For US Electric Customers was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/15/48-billion-opportunity-us-electric-customers/feed/ 18 Panasonic “Smart Town” In Japan Centered Around Solar Energy & Storage http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/13/experimental-smart-town-developed-japan-panasonic-emphasis-solar-energy-storage/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/13/experimental-smart-town-developed-japan-panasonic-emphasis-solar-energy-storage/#comments Sat, 13 Dec 2014 09:54:49 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76290 A new experimental “smart town” based especially around the technologies of solar energy and battery storage is being developed in Japan by Panasonic Corporation (along with other public and private partners), based on recent reports. The new 1000-household-strong town recently had its grand opening — with the first residents moving in earlier this year in the

Panasonic “Smart Town” In Japan Centered Around Solar Energy & Storage was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/13/experimental-smart-town-developed-japan-panasonic-emphasis-solar-energy-storage/feed/ 5 5 Steps To Make Your City A Climate Champion, Too http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/11/5-steps-make-city-climate-champion/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/11/5-steps-make-city-climate-champion/#comments Thu, 11 Dec 2014 16:22:30 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76196 Originally published on ilsr.org. In August 2013, Minneapolis (MN) was in the news for considering a take-over of its energy utilities. Today, they’re back in the news for supporting a first-in-the-nation clean energy partnership with those same utilities and a pioneering effort to bring more local input into the city’s energy future. It’s been a

5 Steps To Make Your City A Climate Champion, Too was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/11/5-steps-make-city-climate-champion/feed/ 2 India May Form An Association Of Nations With High Solar Potential http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/09/india-may-form-association-nations-high-solar-potential/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/09/india-may-form-association-nations-high-solar-potential/#comments Tue, 09 Dec 2014 15:56:12 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75958 Delhi-based financial daily Live Mint recently reported that India is working on a plan to form an association of countries with high solar potential with an aim to lower the cost of solar energy and improve the country’s standing at global climate change and environment protection discussions. The proposal is said to aim at bringing

India May Form An Association Of Nations With High Solar Potential was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/09/india-may-form-association-nations-high-solar-potential/feed/ 6 Now’s The Time To Buy Into Community Solar Prices, At All-Time Low http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/06/community-solar-prices-low-report/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/06/community-solar-prices-low-report/#comments Sat, 06 Dec 2014 18:51:07 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75942 If you’re considering buying into a community solar project/facility in the future, then you may want to hurry up and do so, based on a recent report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory. According to the report, the downward slope of residential/community-scale solar systems will continue through 2016,

Now’s The Time To Buy Into Community Solar Prices, At All-Time Low was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/06/community-solar-prices-low-report/feed/ 15 $6 Billion Opportunity: Rural Electric Cooperatives Could Lead On Clean Energy http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/05/6-billion-opportunity-rural-electric-cooperatives-lead-clean-energy/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/05/6-billion-opportunity-rural-electric-cooperatives-lead-clean-energy/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2014 06:50:20 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75898 Originally published on ilsr.org. Last week I asked why rural electric cooperatives haven’t been leaders on renewable energy. This week, I explain a $6 billion opportunity they can seize to take leadership. One of the biggest barriers to making investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy is the upfront cost. So what if members of

$6 Billion Opportunity: Rural Electric Cooperatives Could Lead On Clean Energy was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/05/6-billion-opportunity-rural-electric-cooperatives-lead-clean-energy/feed/ 6 Animated Guide To The Solar Rooftop Revolution http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/04/animated-guide-solar-rooftop-revolution/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/04/animated-guide-solar-rooftop-revolution/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2014 10:30:28 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75857 Originally published on Cost of Solar. When it comes to residential solar, we live in exciting times, as the price of solar panels keeps dropping, while other energy costs keep rising, and advances in solar technology are increasing panel efficiencies all the time. Given that we don’t often see a drop in energy prices, so

Animated Guide To The Solar Rooftop Revolution was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/04/animated-guide-solar-rooftop-revolution/feed/ 5 Washington State Utility Launches Community Solar Project http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/02/washington-state-utility-launches-community-solar-project/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/02/washington-state-utility-launches-community-solar-project/#comments Tue, 02 Dec 2014 20:32:54 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75807 Community solar is now making headway in Washington State. At CleanTechnica we believe in the power of community solar, although most utilities are dragging their feet when it comes to offering this investment option to consumers. Community solar offers those interested in clean energy an opportunity to invest in a project—a compelling option since not

Washington State Utility Launches Community Solar Project was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/02/washington-state-utility-launches-community-solar-project/feed/ 15 “Islanding” On Islands: Microgrids Set To Bring Affordable Power To Remote Locations Worldwide http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/28/islanding-islands-microgrids-set-bring-affordable-power-remote-locations-worldwide/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/28/islanding-islands-microgrids-set-bring-affordable-power-remote-locations-worldwide/#comments Fri, 28 Nov 2014 17:28:52 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75555 By Ryan Gilchrist With over 1.3 billion people still without electricity and many more lacking access to reliable power, expanding access to energy remains crucial. Overwhelmingly, remote islands have relied on expensive and “dirty” fossil fuels for their energy. While this technology has helped in bringing electricity to millions, it is failing to meet the

“Islanding” On Islands: Microgrids Set To Bring Affordable Power To Remote Locations Worldwide was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/28/islanding-islands-microgrids-set-bring-affordable-power-remote-locations-worldwide/feed/ 4 Solar News: Home Energy Storage Market To Explode, Vivint Solar CEO Says Republican Congress Could Be Good, Renewable Energy In Germany (In Charts)… http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/18/home-storage-market-explode-solar-news/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/18/home-storage-market-explode-solar-news/#comments Tue, 18 Nov 2014 11:08:19 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75133 Here are some more great solar stories from around the interwebs, to complement our own solar stories: For Consumers 1. Going Solar Made Easier By Online Shopping Site and Staples Gift Cards 2. New Financing Models to Drive Demand for Commercial Solar 3. Crowdfunding Solar Power for the World’s Poorest People 4. This Social Network Connects Solar Homeowners 5. US

Solar News: Home Energy Storage Market To Explode, Vivint Solar CEO Says Republican Congress Could Be Good, Renewable Energy In Germany (In Charts)… was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/18/home-storage-market-explode-solar-news/feed/ 0 Same Price, More Renewables – San Diego’s Fight for Community Controlled Energy http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/04/price-renewables-san-diegos-fight-community-controlled-energy/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/04/price-renewables-san-diegos-fight-community-controlled-energy/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2014 22:12:51 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=74480 “San Diego and its community choice energy district would be able to offer a diverse energy mix with all of the solar, biodiesel, biogas, and energy storage resources that we have in San Diego.  A product that is price competitive and yet at the same time would strive for and achieve a higher level of

Same Price, More Renewables – San Diego’s Fight for Community Controlled Energy was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/04/price-renewables-san-diegos-fight-community-controlled-energy/feed/ 1 Solar Job Help (+ Other Solar News) http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/04/solar-jobs-solar-news/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/04/solar-jobs-solar-news/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:46:55 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=74456 In case you were getting bored, here’s a massive list of solar energy stories that I think are worth a read. For more, see our own solar news. Top Pick: Hey, Hippie — Get A Job! (In The Solar Energy Industry) General Solar Stories Choosing Solar Power Influenced By Neighbors More Than Income? Driving on Wind

Solar Job Help (+ Other Solar News) was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/04/solar-jobs-solar-news/feed/ 0 New Tool For Clean Energy Action: “SWITCH” http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/28/clean-energy-action-tool-switch-uc-berkeley/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/28/clean-energy-action-tool-switch-uc-berkeley/#comments Tue, 28 Oct 2014 06:00:12 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=73934 A new policymaking tool to better enable the shift to renewable energy has been developed by researchers at the University of California–Berkeley, and presented at an event at the University of Copenhagen. Policymakers and planners need to discern the most efficient and effective means within the multiple choices and routes to cutting greenhouse gases and shifting

New Tool For Clean Energy Action: “SWITCH” was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/28/clean-energy-action-tool-switch-uc-berkeley/feed/ 2 Other Avenues, RE-VOLV, & SunWork Team Up For Innovative New Solar Project http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/27/other-avenues-re-volv-sunwork-solar-funding/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/27/other-avenues-re-volv-sunwork-solar-funding/#comments Mon, 27 Oct 2014 16:27:13 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=73960 In 1974, a group of San Francisco’s pragmatic idealists, the Food Conspiracy, a grass-roots organization of food-buying clubs committed to buying and distributing wholesale food among themselves, became Other Avenues Worker Cooperative. Its mission is and was “food for the people, not profit.” Other stores expanded out of this group and yet, today, Other Avenues is thriving

Other Avenues, RE-VOLV, & SunWork Team Up For Innovative New Solar Project was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/27/other-avenues-re-volv-sunwork-solar-funding/feed/ 0 US Home Solar Nearing 1 GW (+ Other Solar News) http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/24/us-home-solar-nearing-1-gw-solar-news/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/24/us-home-solar-nearing-1-gw-solar-news/#comments Fri, 24 Oct 2014 17:12:47 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=73923 Aside from our extensive solar energy coverage, here are some more solar energy stories from around the interwebs that I wouldn’t want you to miss. Just adding a note regarding the first one, I’d just add that it’s almost shocking to me how far we’ve come in recent years. I started covering the solar industry in

US Home Solar Nearing 1 GW (+ Other Solar News) was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/24/us-home-solar-nearing-1-gw-solar-news/feed/ 3 20,000 Solar Pumps For Drinking Water In Rural India http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/23/20000-solar-pumps-drinking-water-rural-india/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/23/20000-solar-pumps-drinking-water-rural-india/#comments Thu, 23 Oct 2014 13:30:24 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=73798 A large part of rural India is dependent on hand-operated water pumps, simply called “hand pumps” for their water needs. The hand pumps are low maintenance and work well, but only until the water depth is about 30 meters. Beyond that you would need an electric/diesel pump. But in a remote area, both electricity and

20,000 Solar Pumps For Drinking Water In Rural India was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/23/20000-solar-pumps-drinking-water-rural-india/feed/ 0 “Solarmojo” For Solar Employee Benefits, 60-Day Discount For All Americans! http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/23/solarmojo-solar-employee-benefits-60-day-price-break/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/23/solarmojo-solar-employee-benefits-60-day-price-break/#comments Thu, 23 Oct 2014 07:43:49 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=73837 “Solarmojo” sounds a bit like fantasy, but using the term as a promo code will get you a chance to cut your electric bills in half, starting today. Online solar panel cost consultants from Geostellar, a West Virginia company, have worked with the WWF species conservation organization to set up a nationwide program that bundles

“Solarmojo” For Solar Employee Benefits, 60-Day Discount For All Americans! was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/23/solarmojo-solar-employee-benefits-60-day-price-break/feed/ 4 City Poised To Adopt 1st-Of-Its-Kind US Partnership With Utilities http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/14/city-poised-adopt-1st-us-partnership-utilities/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/14/city-poised-adopt-1st-us-partnership-utilities/#comments Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:36:12 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=73398 Ever wonder what happened to the notion last August that the city of Minneapolis (MN) would take over its energy utilities? While it may seem like the issue vanished, last Monday the Minneapolis City Council held a hearing on another way forward to a better energy future. On the table is a novel partnership between

City Poised To Adopt 1st-Of-Its-Kind US Partnership With Utilities was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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