Everyone is aware of the benefits solar power has in store for them. It generates electricity from the sun through solar panels. Solar energy has been around since the late ’90s and has helped many obtain some of the cleanest forms of energy with high yields.
Solar plants were often set up in areas where it was easy to obtain sunlight. A lot of buildings started using their system of solar panels. That helped them get additional energy free of cost. Some buildings however did have to pay the power utility company a small amount.
Can Each property have its own Solar Array setup?
Not every home and building can have its solar array setup. It is not easy to set up solar panels on most rooftops due to a wide range of reasons. Some areas aren’t able to soak up sunlight easily whilst some homes were constructed in ways that cannot accommodate solar panels.
There is also another barrier. Whilst solar plants are made in areas where sunlight is abundant, they cannot reach every suburb in that area. This means that in California, despite the abundance of solar power plants, suburbs are relying on wind and fossil fuels. Some choose either or both due to personal preferences while some do it due to geographical reasons.
Community solar plants are something even more beneficial. They work as power plants but have the potential to power up suburbs nicely and with good yield and voltage. They are easy to set up in plots and buildings that have either lost purpose or are allocated for this purpose. One of the biggest benefits of having them is that their upfront installation is easy and affordable to set up too.
How Good are Community Solar Plants?
Reports and findings indicate that community solar plants are becoming quite popular. They are a growing market. Solar systems set up in community plants could grow by more than 100% within the next five to seven years. At least six gigawatts of additional capacity will be provided by community solar plants within the next few years as well.
Power companies and their subsidiaries have set a target to provide at least 30 gigawatts of clean electricity by 2030. One way to do that is the creation of community solar plants in newer suburbs and in existing suburbs too. Now community solar plants are also being made in existing suburbs. California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington have them in wholesome numbers.
What is a Community Solar plant?
Community solar is a very good way of helping residents access energy that is affordable, clean, and of high yield too. A good thing about community solar plants is that no one has to install individual solar setups in their homes.
Community solar plants are set in designated plots in the suburbs/areas or cities. They do not require much of an investment in setting up and have enough yield to power up suburbs nicely.
A large-scale solar array (solar farm/solar garden) is a private development that can be made in a designated plot or a repurposed building. This power generation setup can produce wholesome amounts of solar energy.
The amount of energy generated can also be fed to the local power grid which reduces the burden on existing power plants. This not only reduces the dependence on fossil fuel-based energy but also helps them access solar plants for clean energy supply and yield.
Can Residents having existing Utility connections take advantage of Community Solar plants?
Customers with existing power connections can take advantage of community solar plants. This helps them get a good discount on their electricity bills (between 5 and 10 percent on average). It is advantageous as residents do not need to set up a solar array in their homes but rather simply subscribe to the electricity provided by the community solar plant.
Advantages of using Community Solar plants
Community solar plants have their unique advantages. Project advisory professionals are advocating for their construction in both existing and new suburban developments. Their construction has helped reduce the burden on power companies and provide both power companies and their subscribers with new options for electricity.
These Plants help save expenses
Electricity is an expensive commodity in developing countries. In developed countries, its price has been rising exponentially but pricing controls are implemented. However, the price of fossil fuels (oil in particular) is a problem.
Community solar plants are beneficial for everyone. They help both tenants and homeowners save a good amount of money. That’s right, the energy generated each month through community solar plants is affordable and efficient. Moreover, excess energy generated does not go to waste as it is then added to the national grid.
Suppose a household has a bill of USD 150 and the share of electricity the home gets from the community plant is worth USD 100. That makes a bill of USD 50 as $100 worth of electricity is coming from the community solar plant. The real-time bill is $50 and $100 is credited to the homeowner/tenant. Meaning they only pay the solar plant $100.
These Solar plants are Environment-friendly
Community solar plants have lower carbon footprints. They harness the energy of the sun and also do not occupy space on rooftops unnecessarily. They are set up in designated plots that are in the open and can easily harness the energy of the sun. They also help improve the air quality thanks to negligible CO2 emissions.
Community Solar plants are accessible to all residents
Community solar plants have an easy registration process. They do not ask residents to install individual solar systems on rooftops with upfront expenses. All they involve is a registration charge and the plant is connected to the power grid residents are on.
That’s right, the community solar plant is for the community people live and work in. It is made in an already designated area and is connected to the power grid the residents are connected to.
Everyone can access community solar energy. Those who are in the low to moderate-income strata facing stress can receive affordable electricity from community solar plants. They can participate in the cost savings solar energy provides as they do not have to bear the burden of the expense of fossil fuels.
As the solar plant is in their community, the transmission expenses are more affordable. Moreover, these plants are regulated at both the municipal, state, and federal levels. With community solar plants becoming more popular in both the United States and Canada, some communities have active solar plants subsidized by their respective states.
Community Solar plants are usually in close local proximity
The best part about these plants is that they are present in close local proximity. Their electricity does not need transmission on pylons as they are present in suburbs in cooperation with the local utility company. Suburbs in California, Utah, and Nevada have abundant open spaces near highways and parks. Hence, community solar plants are constructed there easily.
These plants also help employ many living nearby. Cleaners, engineers, analysts, and other associated professionals are found working on community solar plants ensuring clean electricity is available round the clock.
Conclusion
A Quantum expert based in the UAE is in favor of community solar plants. They can be built easily in the Middle East due to the abundance of open spaces and sunshine. They can support apartment buildings as each building or cluster can have its own large community solar plant.
Hi, I'm Milton white, a writer, content creator, and blogger. I have a passion for writing and have honed my skills over the years by creating engaging content across a variety of niches. Whether it's a blog post, an article, or social media content, I always strive to provide valuable and informative content to my audience.
