One year ago, I wrote an article on how the shared solar program is extending access to clean energy options for every American; instead of limiting the solar energy options available to those with ample roof space, Shared solar schedules permit tenants, neighbors, small-scale businesses, local non-profits, and various other organizations to profit from the solar energy produced by the panels.
In April of this year, the Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative announced Solar Market Pathways, a federal program of funding that aims to help local initiatives create long-term plans, simplify deployment, and introduce innovative programs to encourage the growth of solar markets in all communities across the U.S. The 15 selected projects comprise regional, state municipal, university, and utility-related efforts to assure businesses and create the right path to expand solar installations in the coming five to 10 years.
Sharing solar-based business models have been highlighted in these initiatives. They are part of the Cook County, Illinois Department of Environmental Control, which is currently identifying and establishing community solar programs that could benefit multi-unit residential tenants and low-income residents in the Chicago region. A California-based Center for Sustainable Energy is eliminating obstacles to shared solar projects for multi-unit properties by increasing awareness, efficiency, and application of the state’s online net metering tariff. This allows owners of multi-meter properties to distribute the solar energy system’s credits to multiple tenants.
Many Solar Market Pathways awardees are creating shared solar programs to assist utilities in providing better customer service. Extensible Energy, Inc. is collaborating with several utilities, including PNM and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and Albuquerque-based, New Mexico-based PNM, in the development of innovative business models that are based on markets for community solar, using strategic solar technologies and designs and prioritizing local solar locations, and using demand response programs to integrate energy storage. On the East Coast, the Virginia Electric and Power Company (Dominion Power) collaborates with state officials, research institutes, environmental organizations, local communities, and solar firms to design and develop sustainable models for solar deployment, including shared solar. Solar Electric Power Association, Solar Electric Power Association, is conducting extensive research on the relationship between community solar business models as well as marketing and demographics of consumers to make it easier to design appealing, cost-effective, and well-defined programs.
Furthermore, Two Solar Market Pathways awardees seek to boost solar installations within university and college locations. In addition, the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia is collaborating with its 15 member colleges and their local communities to speed up the deployment of solar on campuses for colleges. The Midwest Renewable Energy Association is helping to facilitate solar investments on campus through university governance boards and endowments of Illinois State University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Purdue University, and the University of Minnesota.
SunShot Initiative SunShot Initiative works to empower communities to create solar-related programs and strategies that improve access to affordable solar energy. If your community wants to develop or participate in a shared solar initiative, read our guide to Community Shared Solar and get other helpful sources and tools for solar installation at solar.energy.gov.