Document Actions
This pages provides and overview of community solar projects using a utility-sponsored model
Utility-Sponsored Model
For communities desiring to organize a community solar project, the local electric utility is a good place to start. First of all, utilities are likely to have the legal, financial and program management infrastructure to handle organizing and implementing a community solar project. Second, many utilities are actually governed by their member customers and can be directed to pursue projects on their members’ behalf. Fully one-fourth of Americans own their own electric power company, through co-ops, or city- or county-owned utilities.1 And, in general, publicly owned utilities have taken the lead in deploying community solar projects. But even when the utility is investor-owned or privately held, it may wish to expand customer choice with an option for community solar power.2
ENROLLMENT OPTIONS
- Single payment up-front
- Payment spread out on Installment Plan
- Monthly subscription (no up-front fee)
Sacramento Municipal Utility's (SMUD) Solar Shares Program is an example of a utility-sponsored solar program.
NOTES
1. Warren, Deborah B; and Steve Dubb. June 2010. The Democracy Collaborative at the University of Maryland. Growing a Green Economy for All: From Green Jobs to Green Ownership. p. 22.
2. It may be that the tax benefits of the ITC are not readily accessible to the for-profit utilities, due to the normalization accounting rules.
