Community Solar

Become a Community Science Partner with the Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring DALL·E generated image of a crowd of people moving together related to climate change

Utility-Scale Developers Seek Input From Renewable Energy Host Communities, But Experience Challenges Implementing Community Engagement

Berkeley Lab study reveals how industry engages with energy host communities when developing large wind and solar projects. The increasing deployment of utility-scale wind and solar energy across the US highlights debates about the appropriate role for the public in siting and permitting decisions. Important to these discussions is a … [continued]

Reunion Partners with Summit Ridge Energy to Facilitate $40 Million Sale of Tax Credits to…

Reunion, a leading clean energy finance company, today announced that it has collaborated with Summit Ridge Energy, the leading commercial solar company in the United States, to sell approximately $40 million of transferable tax credits from a portfolio of community solar projects in Virginia. The purchaser of these tax credits is a privately … [continued]

Staff from NREL and GRID Alternatives Colorado install rooftop solar panels during a volunteer event. Residential solar PV installations like these can benefit from NREL’s free SolarAPP+ automated permitting software. Photo by Joe DelNero, NREL.

How Much Money Can I Save With Solar Energy?

Lowering electricity bills is one of the main reasons why consumers may decide to install rooftop solar panels. Every household is different—from the size of the home, to the number of people living in it, to the electricity needs of those people, to where the buy their electricity—so calculating an … [continued]

So much electricity! Solar industry stakeholders are prepping for the next wave of community solar development spurred by lower costs, agrivoltaic opportunities, and financial benefits for property owners.

Community Solar Beats Scary Headlines About Electricity Any Day Of The Week

So much electricity! Solar industry stakeholders are prepping for the next wave of community solar development spurred by an assist from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act along with lower costs, agrivoltaic opportunities, and financial benefits for property owners.

The community solar agreement between Nexamp and Starbucks enables the addition of more solar farms in Illinois, such as this Nexamp project already operating in Kingston.

Nexamp & Starbucks Support Energy Equity with 6 New Community Solar Projects in Illinois

Projects will provide electricity savings to more than 1,100 residents and support local workforce development programs Nexamp, the largest community solar provider in the country, announced yesterday a partnership with Starbucks. By committing as a long-term renewable electricity purchaser, Starbucks will anchor the deployment of more than 40 megawatts of … [continued]

Sacramento City Unified School District uses solar panels to cover their bus fleet. Image by Sacramento City Unified School District, via SEIA.

No Roof, No Problem: How to Become a Solar Customer Without Installing Rooftop Solar Panels

In 2023, a record 800,000 Americans added solar to their homes. With increasing pressure on family budgets and the U.S. electricity grid, more Americans are turning to solar to take control of their energy needs. While not everyone can put a solar array on their roof, renters, condo owners, low-to-moderate income … [continued]

Anza Electric Cooperative's first solar array and investment in renewable energy, SunAnza.Image: Anza Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Success Story—Working with Co-ops to Increase Community Solar Access

Community solar projects provide individuals and communities who might not otherwise be able to afford or install solar panels the opportunity to benefit from solar energy without having to own a roof or provide upfront capital. But the majority—approximately three quarters—of U.S. community solar projects are concentrated in four states: … [continued]