From Donnie Dann:
You’re an environmentally conscious citizen. You recognize that the sun is an abundant source of clean energy. You also are aware that the cost of harnessing it, using solar panels, has declined significantly. You’ve heard that in the long term, going solar can generate sizable savings in your utilities bill.
But you live in an apartment, and the owner won’t or can’t install panels on his/her roof. Or you can’t afford any up-front down payment. Or, your property has a north facing roof or is surrounded by trees and gets no sunshine. There could be countless other reasons why solar may be impractical or you may be unable to employ it. But you recognize that solar doesn’t cause or contribute to air pollution and global warming, or compound the suffering of millions of asthma, COPD or other lung and breathing ills as do fossil fuels.
Enter community solar, an enterprising way for anyone to utilize carbon-free energy. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy defines “Community Shared Solar” as a “solar-electric system that provides power and/or financial benefit to multiple community members”. Nationally, 1,226 megawatts of community solar has been installed through the 2nd quarter of 2018, and at least 42 states have at least one community solar project online.
The Future Energy Jobs Act, enacted into law in Illinois 2 years ago, resulted in a groundswell of community interest and support. Among other provisions, it offers energy credits that have fast-tracked solar energy development and community solar projects. The Illinois Power Agency is in the process of selecting projects for these credits via auctions for community solar installations.
Locally, activists in Wilmette, IL have committed to community solar, and established a website to which you can subscribe once solar projects come online. This is true even though you’re not a Wilmette resident, as long as you live in the Com Ed service area. There are eight completed community solar sites in New York City and its environs, and nearly 60 more sites in the pipeline.
If you’re a single family homeowner, here is an excellent resource on getting solar.
Solar energy is not just the future; in many areas it’s now, and community solar will soon be available to all of us.
