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Own power
Published on April 8, 2019 |
by Charles W. Thurston
April 8, 2019 by Charles W. Thurston
The Oakland Solar Power People Power cooperative has completed its first solar project in Oakland, testing a new community energy model in California. The 7-kilowatt residential-size project is fully funded with investments of up to $ 1,000 each from more than 50 local community members and leaders from the cooperative's membership, the group says.
People Power members celebrate their community solar project. People Power Credit
This project is the first residential energy project in California owned by members of the broader community, not a municipality, to the knowledge of the co-op. It will sell electricity to homeowners and tenants at a lower rate than Pacific Gas & Electric, the local utility. The cooperative will in turn pay small dividends to the owners who have contributed to the financing of the project, with flexible issue conditions.
"This project is more than putting solar energy on a roof. With more than 50 community members behind this project as homeowners, we are starting to show that the ownership of solar energy goes beyond clean energy. It's all about community power, "said Crystal Huang, co-founder of People Power Solar Cooperative.
People Power Solar Cooperative is the result of a multi-year effort by the Oakland-based Sustainable Economics Law Center to develop a community energy model that empowers communities to manage their own energy future. said the group.
"Currently, more than half of Californians can not use solar energy because they do not own their homes or have the capital and credits. This distances a group of communities, communities of color and disproportionately low incomes, the financial and environmental benefits of owning solar energy, "said People Power co-founder Grayson Flood.
People Power aims to serve as an administrative umbrella for other groups seeking to create solar projects owned by communities in California. He also provides a model of community solar energy to other states lacking strong solar shared laws, he says.
People Power Solar Cooperative has adopted plain language cartel regulations to make its model welcoming and understandable even for high school students.
In May 2018, PG & E announced that it has signed the first community solar energy project for its Regional Renewable Choice program with renewable energy developer ForeFront Power. The utility program offers all customers, including tenants and those who can not install solar energy, the opportunity to buy up to 100% solar energy without having to install solar panels private rooftops.
Based in Fresno County, the 1.66 megawatt solar project will be built by renewable energy developer ForeFront Power. Participating customers will sign a contract directly with ForeFront Power to subscribe for some of the energy generated by the solar project. Customers will receive a PG & E program credit on their monthly energy statement based on the kilowatt hours of their subscription with the developer.
About half of US households and businesses are unable to install rooftop solar panels due to space, lack of sun exposure, or property limitations, says the public service. The Regional Renewable Choice program offers residential customers and businesses – including those who rent – an easy way to participate in solar energy without installing or maintaining solar panels, said PG & E.
"The Regional Renewable Choice program is part of our ongoing commitment to support the growth of California's solar and other renewable energy sources. This program enables our customers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their electricity consumption and to participate directly in California's future clean energy, "said Vincent Davis, Senior Manager of PG & E Customer & Solutions at the May announcement.
Residential and commercial customers in Fresno County have expressed interest in the project. This new community solar project is expected to be completed and provide energy to customers by mid-2019, said PG & E.
PG & E's Regional Renewable Choice program extends access to clean energy by allowing customers to work directly with developers of new renewable energy projects. Under this program, customers can enter into contracts with developers and subscribe for some of the electricity generated by a new renewable project based in the PG & E service area. Customers can subscribe between 25 and 100% of their energy consumption, advises the utility.
As part of this program, PG & E will work with local renewable energy developers in northern and central California to build small and medium scale renewable energy projects ranging from 0.5 to 20 megawatts. The energy for these new projects must come from renewable resources, including, but not limited to, solar, wind or biomass, explains the utility.
Regional Renewable Choice is Green-e Energy certified. Green-e Energy is the leading independent consumer protection program for renewable energy in the country. It sets the environmental and consumer protection standards set by the Center for Resource Solutions, a non-profit organization.
About the author
Charles W. Thurston Charles specializes in renewable energies, from finance to technological processes. Bifacial panels and solar tracking are among the priority areas. He has been active in the industry for over 25 years. He has lived and worked in countries ranging from Brazil to Papua New Guinea.
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