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Community solar expands access to clean energy, new study shows Peer-reviewed research finds that community solar makes cheap renewable power available to more people, including those who live in rentals and multifamily buildings. https://lnkd.in/gyHiTzAT

A new study from Berkeley Lab and National Renewable Energy Laboratory showed that #CommunitySolar makes a big difference when it comes to equity! Community solar is 6x as likely to serve multi-family building residents, and 4x as likely to serve renters, as traditional rooftop #solar projects. It also serves people with lower incomes. #Accessibility, #affordability, and #equity are just some of the reasons I'm so thrilled to consult on community solar efforts with Cooperative Energy Futures. The work we do is about creating access to clean energy for ALL of us. https://lnkd.in/gFRMfYY2

Community solar does more than contribute to a more reliable, sustainable grid; according to recent research, it also broadens solar energy access. Research from Berkeley Lab and National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that "people who adopt community solar are 6.1 times more likely to live in multifamily buildings, are 4.4 times more likely to rent, and earn 23 percent less annual income than rooftop solar adopters". A just clean energy transition means that everyone benefits, especially those who have been historically disadvantaged. Community solar is one method to spread cost savings and cleaner grids. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gyHiTzAT

Community solar is changing the game! A new study confirms what many of us in the industry already know - that community solar programs are making renewable energy accessible to more people, especially those in rentals and multifamily buildings. 🔍 Community solar adopters are 6.1 times more likely to live in multifamily buildings and are 4.4 times more likely to rent. Read more about how community solar is delivering on its promise to make clean energy more assessable.

In a June study from the Berkeley Lab and National Renewable Energy Laboratory, researchers were able to confirm some of what we know about community solar and provide insight into low-income customer perceptions and habits. On one hand, the study reaffirms that community solar increases clean energy access. The study found that across 11 states and 75k community solar subscribers and 100k rooftop solar adopters, that those adopting community solar are over 6 times as likely to live in multifamily complexes, more than 4 times more likely to rent, and earn 23% less than rooftop solar households—not necessarily surprising, but a valuable thing to have a number on. But there's still an access and trust gap that we're working to bridge. Low-income communities, particularly minority communities, have been burned in the past by less than truthful energy offerings. That fact is evident in the study as it identified that minority communities aren't more likely to adopt community solar over rooftop—yet. Trust is earned in drops and lost in buckets, which is why Perch is focused on leading with education and building confidence in community solar with our customers,  especially with the affordable housing communities we serve. By doing that, we'll move the needle and make community solar the truly accessible option for all. #communitysolar #renewables #solar #cleanenergy #climate

Wood Mackenzie’s latest report reveals exciting growth in the U.S. community solar market, predicting that installed capacity will nearly double by 2029, reaching over 14 GW. While growth is slowing in existing markets, there’s still huge potential, especially with the right legislative support and federal incentives. With community solar increasingly serving low- to moderate-income households, the future looks bright for accessible, renewable energy. US community solar to double by 2029, says Wood Mackenzie: https://lnkd.in/dQutKz5x #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #SolarPower #EnergyEfficiency

Canary Media Clean energy journalism for a cooler tomorrow Making Solar less exclusive Community solar expands access to clean energy, new study shows Peer-reviewed research finds that community solar makes cheap renewable power available to more people, including those who live in rentals and multifamily buildings. The sun showers us all with energy, but not everyone can put solar panels on their roofs to harness it for themselves. Enter community solar, an increasingly popular way to expand access to solar and help fix its equity issues. For the first time, evidence shows that it’s working. Community solar allows customers to reap electric bill savings by subscribing to a share of a local solar project, rather than installing their own array. It’s an arrangement that ideally makes the benefits of solar more accessible to people who live in rental or multifamily housing and those who just can’t afford the upfront cost of rooftop systems. Forty-two states have community solar projects in place — but the precise nature of who has benefited remained unclear. Until now.

Revisiting the growing landscape of community solar markets across the United States! Our latest blog explores key state legislation driving the development of community solar programs. States like Delaware, Illinois, and Maryland are leading the way with innovative policies that lower barriers to accessing renewable energy, especially for low-income households. Learn how these states are making strides in community solar and what this means for the future of clean energy. Read more about the state-by-state review here: https://hubs.li/Q02Dkj6r0 #CommunitySolar #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #EnergyEquity #PivotEnergy

Community solar is becoming a popular way to broaden solar energy access and tackle equity issues. For the first time ever, new evidence from Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory indicates that it's making a meaningful difference. Another great takeaway from the research is that community solar significantly expands access to solar energy, particularly among renters and residents of multifamily buildings, who are 6.1 times more likely to adopt it, and those with lower annual incomes, who earn 23% less than rooftop solar adopters. By leveraging community solar, our team is committed to providing solar energy solutions and creating equitable access. With our five community solar projects with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and BlueWave Solar and our project with Neighborhood Sun and Montgomery County Government, MD, we’re advancing clean energy access for all. We’re glad to see the difference it can make being documented by researchers. Learn more from Canary Media Inc.'s Alison F. Takemura, Ph.D. #SolarEnergy #CommunitySolar #CleanEnergy #Sustainability https://hubs.ly/Q02GDWcH0

As we experience the energy transition, we need to use all the tools we have. This seems like an obvious comment...except we aren't doing this quite yet. Solar co-operatives are a great example of using a tool (a co-op) to maximize shared benefits. Share the benefits. Have more involved owners/members. https://lnkd.in/gZzu88-i