Going solar doesn’t just mean installing solar panels on your house or place of business. People from all across the nation are utilizing community solar initiatives to split the expenses and advantages of installing solar power solutions in India.
Solar panels and wind turbines are the tools used to harvest solar and wind power. Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to convert solar radiation into electricity.
What is community solar?
Community solar projects (or solar panel systems) having numerous owners or subscribers, such as homeowners, tenants, customers, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, are referred to as community solar. People who purchase or subscribe to the shared solar panel system create solar power for their houses and then, through a procedure known as net metering, earn credits on their utility bills for any extra energy produced.
This practice is more common in western countries like US. More renewable energy, credits, and savings are available to the residents of such countries which further causes their system investment to increase.
Community solar initiatives are also known as solar cooperatives, community solar farms, and community solar gardens. State or local governments, municipal utilities, electric co-ops, or investor-owned utilities may be in charge of these projects. Community solar projects are anticipated to become more common in the upcoming years, regardless of what they are called or who is in charge of them.
However, these initiatives are still to be fully implemented in India.
Community solar benefits:
- Customers of community solar systems can reduce their electricity costs thanks to net metering.
- Renters and those unable to install solar panels on their own property can switch to solar thanks to community solar initiatives. Solar panel installations are often not permitted for renters, so the expense would be pointless. Similar to this, some homes lack a sufficient roof, wall, or ground surface for the installation of solar panels.
- Your solar savings are simple to take with you as you change residences. If a homeowner moves, they must sell, remove, and relocate their solar panels. All you have to do to participate in community solar projects is change your address.
- It is more financially accessible to use community solar. To buy a private solar panel system, you’ll need to be able to put down a sizable deposit or be approved for a loan. Since you can pick the size of your share or pay a monthly charge, community solar projects have substantially lower financial barriers.
- You won’t need to worry about upkeep. When you opt for individual solar initiatives, you are in charge of installing any solar panels on your property, as well as keeping them clean and well maintained. A project manager oversees community solar project implementation.
How does community solar work?
In western countries, when you sign up for a community solar farm, you either receive access to the power produced by a particular number of the array’s solar panels or you pay for a set quantity of electricity, typically at a reduced rate compared to your regular utility rate.
- Ownership– Participants in this approach can buy a specific number of panels or a percentage of the community solar project. When you invest in a community solar project, you will receive credits or savings on your electric bill for all the energy your solar panels produce.
- Subscription- Participants in this model can sign up as subscribers and receive monthly electric bill discounts. You simply buy power at a cheaper price than you would pay to buy it from your utility, rather than owning panels or a stake in the project.
Conclusion
Contact us if you want to know more about renewable energy sources and solar power solutions in India. We would be delighted to assist you.
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