According to CNBC, about 40 percent of the U.S. electric grid is powered by renewable energy resources, and the remaining 60 percent is obtained from coal or fossil fuels - a major cause of climate change and other forms of pollution.
Household solar installation is one method to replace this conventional, pollution-causing electricity in your home. However, this option is not feasible for everyone. Some individuals don’t own private properties, while others may be living in less-sunny areas, not suitable for rooftop panel installation.
Fortunately, there is an alternative method with which you can harness the cost-saving benefits of renewable energy without installing panels atop your roof - that is community solar.
This comprehensive article will discuss what community solar is and whether it is worthwhile based on your circumstances. It will also endorse some top recommendations for enhancing your monthly subscription with storage backups.
What is Community Solar?
Community solar uses state benefits for renewable energy to help household owners, renters, and commercial setups save money and encourage clean energy practices in their neighborhoods.
In a community solar, multiple individuals avail themselves of the benefits of a single solar energy system. These large systems are capable of producing enough power to run hundreds or even thousands of households.
The technical name for this type of system is photovoltaic power station. But most community solars go by friendly names, such as solar farms, gardens, solar parks, roofless solar, shared solar, etc.
Community solar can be built in many different places. Some places are literally farms with unused space, while others can be landfills or abandoned industrial areas. But they don’t are in the middle of a big field all the time. In some cities, public buildings, such as parking spaces, also serve as shared solar systems. Community solar is a term used for all these setups.
How Do Community Solars Work?
A community solar can be started or owned by any entity. These entities may be utility services, non-profit organizations, or special-purpose companies.
The owner usually collaborates with a solar developer to find a suitable location. After they have identified a location, they get the necessary permits and start the construction. Remember, like with any architectural activity, a solar farm takes several months to build.
The owner then invites community residents to help finance the community solar by either signing up for shares or subscribing to it. After completion, it is linked to a local power grid, to which it sends generated solar energy.
A solar farm’s energy production is measured by an electric meter, which the utility then translates into solar credits - the monetary value of a solar farm. These credits are generated every month by your community solar subscription, and they ultimately offset the electricity costs on your utility bills.
What Perks Does A Community Solar Offer?
Community solar lets more people directly benefit from solar energy. Consumers get lower energy bills, while utilities get a better, more resilient power grid. But community solar has other perks as well.
Solar Panels Are Not Appropriate for All Roofs
For solar panels to get the most energy from the sun, they need to be pointed at a certain angle. Not every roof has a slope where a solar panel can sit and collect enough energy to run a house. Community solar is a great way to get around this problem.
Solar Panels May Cause Damage to Your Roof
The area where solar panels sit on the roof is more susceptible to leakage because of damaged shingles. Solar panels themselves can also be damaged by extreme weather conditions, like category five hurricanes, and their repair will obviously cost you money. With a share or subscription in community solar, there’s no need to worry about keeping your panels in prime condition.
You Can Customize the Amount of Solar Energy You Need
With solar panels sitting atop your roof, you can only get a certain amount of power from them. Conversely, being a part of a community solar farm, you can customize the amount of power needed without having to add more panels.
Community Solar vs. Rooftop Solars
Your choice of community solar or rooftop solar depends on a number of factors. Community solar is an accessible option for those who cannot get solar panels installed on their property for some reason or prefer a shared approach. It allows them to contribute to renewable energy while receiving cost savings on their utility bills.
On the other hand, Rooftop solar is an excellent option for landlords seeking greater control over their energy production, customization options, and long-term monetary benefits. But before making a final choice between the two, it’s crucial that you evaluate your available roof space, affordability, and personal preferences.
Resources for Finding Community Solar Programs
Consumers can contact their local utility or use an internet search engine to find community solar subscriptions in their area. The sign-up procedures for community solar vary by state and the program available for enrollment.
Below are some helpful resources for this cause:
- NREL State Community Solar List: This spreadsheet includes current state community solar programs available for enrollment. If you’re interested in a community solar subscription, states with active programs have websites with supplementary information about how to subscribe.
- LIFT Solar Toolkit by Groundswell: With this toolkit, you can search for community solar projects based on their designs and low-income financing structures.
Is A Community Solar Worth It?
Whether a community solar is worth it depends on your particular circumstances. If you want to invest in solar energy but don’t have adequate roof space for solar panel installation, community solar may be the best option for you. Additionally, with community solar, you won’t have to pay those high initial installation costs connected with rooftop solar.
However, the ultimate value of community solar also relies on its availability in your locality and your commitment to the program over the long term. So, before making your final decision, investigating local options and determining your energy requirements is vital. Also, compare the potential financial benefits of both community solar and rooftop solar to reach an option most feasible to you.
Community Solar and Energy Storage Batteries
Since community solar is connected to the electric grid, that means it will automatically shut off if your utility service goes down. Well. It’s done for safety purposes. If your community solar is producing energy and sending it out through electrical lines, it could hurt the repair crews working to restore grid efficiency.
In addition, your community solar will not generate enough energy during low-sunlight days. Most of the time, these low-sunlight days are those with rainstorms and hurricanes, which also cut down conventional energy from the grid. Your community solar will also not produce any energy during nighttime.
Battery storage can be an excellent solution to all these problems. You can charge it using energy from your community solar during the daytime and use it during peak demand hours to save on high utility costs. These storage systems can also be worthwhile if you live in an area where rain and thunderstorms frequently find their way.
However, with so many options available in the market, grabbing your hands on a reliable, authentic battery backup can take time and effort.
But since we value our readers, we have already curated some recommendations for the best solar battery backups. These storage battery systems have been selected after careful consideration of various aspects, like capacity, rated power, expandability, and charging time.
BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Storage Battery Backup
The BLUETTI EP900 + B500 is a must-have for anyone who aspires to get the most benefit out of their community solar subscription.
With its massive 9,000W capacity, it can power all your major appliances, making sure you never run out of solar power. What could be better? Its capacity can be increased to an amazing 19,840Wh. That means it will keep your household gadgets working even during extended rainy season outages of 4 to 6 days.
In case you are worried about stability, have peace of mind - the EP900 + B500 arrives with an industry-leading warranty of 10 years. Its LiFePO4 battery is designed with safety in mind. In addition, it is easy to set up inside and outside, thanks to its IP65 rating.
BLUETTI AC500 + B300 Home Storage Battery Backup
The BLUETTI AC500 + B300 is another best storage backup for all your home’s energy needs. With an immense 5,000W rated power and a surge capacity of 10,000W, it has the strength to handle it all.
What’s truly impressive about this storage backup is its expandable capacity from 3,072Wh to 18,432Wh. It also features the convenience of smart app control via WiFi and Bluetooth. In addition, it has been equipped with 16 outlet ports. That means with the AC500 + B300, a range of devices can be charged simultaneously.
To cut it short, the AC500 + B300 is a trustworthy companion that will keep your devices operational even when the community solar shuts down.
BLUETTI AC300 + B300 Home Storage Battery Backup
The BLUETTI AC300 + B300 is another alpha storage backup, shipped with a powerful 3,000W AC inverter that can handle a surge of up to 6,000W.
It features an initial capacity of 3,072Wh. But, like other BLUETTI backups, this capacity can be increased by adding up to four B300 expansion modules (3,072Wh per pack). This expandability is something exclusive to BLUETTI - similar storage backups from other companies won’t offer you this perk.
Additionally, it can be recharged in myriad ways, including AC outlet, solar power, car, generator, and lead-acid battery. In other words, the AC300 + B300 is a 24/7 UPS backup that will keep you prepared for rainy season outages.
Final Thoughts
Community solar can be a marvelous solution if you want renewable energy without installing panels on your roof, either because you don’t own private property, cannot afford rooftop solar, or have some aesthetic reasons.
In addition, investing in a battery backup with enough capacity is also worthwhile since it will keep your household’s lights on even when the sun is not shining or during grid shutdowns.
