Community solar may be next big thing in Australia renewables : Renew Economy

The momentum for a big push into community solar projects appears to be gathering pace, with several different organisations planning public launches in the next month, and suggestions that several dozen projects could be built on NSW rooftops in coming years.

Among plans revealed this week are the launch of a community solar network Farming the Sun in the northern Rivers region, to be followed soon by similar groups in New England and the Riverina. This is the work of community energy advocate Embark and Starfish Enterprises, which has identified 7 different projects of at least 80kW that could be commissioned in the next 18 months.

Read more:

http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/community-groups-look-to-crowd-funding-rooftop-solar-86008

Joy Hughes
in community service
Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
(719)207-3097 direct

Download this useful PDF of Colorado and national community solar nonprofits! 

VIDEO: Sustainable Economy Law Center on Community Renewables

SELC's expert panelists discuss the legal barriers, policy opportunities, and steps to creating a new energy future. The webinar is the first in SELC's Shareable Cities Webinar Series.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqG9i-ZnWZE

Portland launches combo solar-crowdfunding project for Southwest rec center | Sustainable Business Oregon

Portland's Southwest Community Center will soon receive a set of solar panels courtesy of an Oregon Community Foundation grant.

The effort marks the simultaneous launch of a revolving loan fund, fed through crowdfunding, that aims to back solar installations on public facilities.

Read more:

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2013/05/portland-sw-center-solar-project-melds.html

Joy Hughes
in community service
Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
(719)207-3097 direct

Clean Energy Companies Launch Alliance To Protect Solar Choice & Rooftop Solar, Combat Monopoly Utilities | CleanTechnica

The nation's leading rooftop solar companies today announced the formation of The Alliance for Solar Choice (TASC). TASC believes anyone should have the option to switch from utility power to distributed solar power. Founding members represent the majority of the US rooftop solar market and include SolarCity, Sungevity, Sunrun, and Verengo.

TASC is committed to protecting the choice for distributed solar. Most immediately, TASC will focus on ensuring the continuation of Net Energy Metering (NEM). Currently in place in 43 states, NEM provides solar consumers with fair credit for the energy they put back on the grid, which utilities then sell to other customers. In simple terms, NEM is like rollover minutes on your cell phone bill. Monopoly utilities are trying to eliminate NEM to halt the consumer-driven popularity of rooftop solar, which is helping create thousands of local jobs around the country.

http://cleantechnica.com/2013/05/19/clean-energy-companies-launch-alliance-to-protect-solar-choice-rooftop-solar-combat-monopoly-utilities/
Joy Hughes
in community service
Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
(719)207-3097 direct

News | TCL&P Approves Community Solar Project

 
(Traverse City, Michigan) —The Traverse City Light & Power (TCL&P) Board approved the final step in implementing the community solar project at its May 14, 2013 regular meeting.

            TCL&P, in partnership with Cherryland Electric Cooperative (Cherryland), is proud to offer the Solar Up North (SUN) Alliance program. The SUN Alliance provides an opportunity for residential and business customers of both utilities the ability to invest in solar energy through participation in a community solar project – the first of its kind in Michigan.

            The SUN Alliance is a community-based initiative where customers of both utilities are invited to invest in a solar generation project. Those who invest in the project will receive a monthly bill credit equal to their share of the project's overall energy production, without the risk and maintenance cost involved in owning their own solar array.

Read more:

http://www.tclp.org/Display/ItemDetails/News/163

Joy Hughes
in community service
Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
(719)207-3097 direct

Another Win for Community Solar | Sustainable Santa Fe

This Tuesday, May 14, the Santa Fe County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to join the City of Santa Fe in adopting a resolution supporting the concept of community solar and directing staff to work with PNM and the PRC on a plan to install a solar farm in the Santa Fe area.  This is big news for our county!  Now, we'll need a big push from the community to get PNM on board.

Read more:

http://sustainablesantafe.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/another-win-for-community-solar/

Joy Hughes
in community service
Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
(719)207-3097 direct