NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
April 19, 2013
Contact: David Konkle
Project Director
Cell: 734 323-2828
konkle@toast.net
www.glrea.org
Great
Lakes Renewable Energy Association Awarded Community Solar Gardens Grant
The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) has been
awarded a grant from the Michigan Energy Office, Renewable Energy Demonstration
Program to perform a Community Solar PV Garden Feasibility Study. The final report will be due in September,
2013.
It has been estimated that less than half of the homes and
businesses in Michigan are good sites for solar energy due to shading or roof
orientation. Renters and condo owners do
not own property that can be used for solar installations. Also, solar energy systems often require a
large upfront cost that makes it difficult for many homeowners, institutions,
or businesses to get involved. Dave
Konkle, Project Director for GLREA stated, “Community Solar may be a solution
to all these barriers. It is a very new
concept in the US that is getting a great deal of attention, with many states
researching barriers and introducing appropriate legislation to enable
Community Solar projects for interested citizens.”
Community Solar is defined as a solar electric or renewable
energy system that has multiple owners or shareholders that receive some
benefit because of their investment in the project. With Community Solar, the actual generation
of renewable energy does not occur at the customer’s site. Instead, the customer subscribes to a portion
of a shared facility (much like a resident may rent a plot in a community garden)
and the power generated results in the subscriber receiving their portion of
the benefit based on their investment.
By building a larger scale system in an optimal sunny location, the cost
to the investor can be lower, and the benefits higher, than the typical
residential or small commercial installation.
The GLREA grant project will research and analyze various
system ownership and financing models for Community Solar projects. GLREA will partner with Shepherd Advisors to
conduct a targeted nationwide survey to identify best practices. A Michigan
survey will be conducted to provide estimates of the installed cost of solar PV
and the value of the solar energy produced. The project will identify barriers
and opportunities and research factors relevant to Community Solar including
“buy Michigan preferences,” net metering, and renewable energy
certificates. GLREA will collaborate
with the Michigan Public Service Commission, Michigan Energy Office, Michigan
utilities, local governments, and interested parties to obtain input and
feedback during the project.
As part of the project, GLREA will hold a number of public
forums to inform attendees about the potential of Community Solar and obtain
feedback on support and ideas for Community Solar in Michigan. Events are already planned for Lansing in May
and at the GLREA’s “Michigan Energy Fair” in Ludington on June 7th
and 8th.
A
detailed technical report/feasibility study. GLREA will compile a wealth of
valuable information, including best practices, system and financing models,
barriers and opportunities, and other key factors. This project will enable a
variety of interested parties to develop the best possible Community Solar
projects in Michigan.
More information on the upcoming Community Solar forums, the
Michigan Energy Fair, and updated news items about Community Solar in Michigan
can be found at the GLREA website at www.GLREA.org.
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