Roofless solar — a form of community solar — is becoming a more affordable option for many, largely due to the fact that government-backed programs supporting renewable energy are becoming more prevalent. With the significant increase in financial support and encouragement to participate solar projects, solar energy is becoming more viable to a wider range of individuals.

Community solar farms make it possible for those who aren’t able to install rooftop solar panels to enjoy the benefits of renewable energy sources, while lowering their utility bills. Roofless solar opportunities allow customers to buy the rights to individual solar panels within a community solar project. In addition to the cost savings of roofless solar communities, customers don’t have to worry about costly repairs or other maintenance.

Halfmoon Project, NY

The community solar project in Halfmoon, New York is on-track to be completed by late summer of 2016. The project is set to be the very first Shared Renewables community solar project in the state, and is expected to include a collection of over 1700 solar panels. The Shared Renewables program was initiated in July of 2015 as a way to allow New York state residents to be involved in and benefit from local clean energy projects.

The project is being funded by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative and is intended to meet energy goals set forth by Reforming Energy Vision (REV) and the Clean Energy Standard. To meet those goals, some 50 percent of the electricity generated in New York must come from renewable sources by the year 2030.

Rocky Mountain Solar

CEC (Clean Energy Collective), a Colorado-based group focused on creating community-oriented clean energy facilities, is providing the community roofless solar solutions, which will allow residents to purchase individual solar panels within the collection. Residents who purchase panels will also receive energy credits for the power produced by these panels.

Additionally, CEC has joined forces with the local Affordable Housing Partnership in a program to allow five low-income families in the area to join the new community solar farm for 20 years. Executive director of the Affordable Housing Partnership, Sue Cotner, said, “Helping low-income families save money on their electric bills while supporting local clean energy is a new and valuable tool in our mission to strengthen neighborhoods and help residents achieve financial independence.”

San Antonio Project, TX

At least 1,500 people have signed up to receive additional information about a community solar project underway in San Antonio, TX, and approximately 30% of available panels at the roofless solar project have already been reserved. Although the project has been extremely popular since it was launched, the city has created a rebate program to encourage additional customers to take part.

Under a deal created between CEC and CPS Energy, community solar panel owners are also given the flexibility to transfer credits to a different address and/or sell them to other people if desired. CEC director of public affairs Tim Braun indicated that the company is happy with the number of subscriptions purchased in San Antonio, and that they expect to sell out of panels before the roofless solar farm is up and running later this summer.

Additional Solar Projects

Projects like the one in San Antonio and Halfmoon are being created with increasing frequency nationwide. As rooftop solar programs like these continue to pop up around the country, affordable, renewable solar energy will become more accessible to people everywhere.

Want to know more about how installing rooftop solar rooftop panels can help you drive your electric bill down to zero? Contact us for a free quote.