The Benefits of Community Solar Projects and How to Get Started

Most people want to live a greener lifestyle, but it can be difficult to make all the changes needed to reduce your carbon footprint. It’s a simple fact that convenience is king. We want things to be quick and easy, but more often than not, the quick options have a long-term impact on the environment. 

The good news is that it is easier now than ever to access clean, renewable energy. If you use green energy and combine it with efforts to improve your home’s energy efficiency, you are already doing a lot to combat your carbon footprint. 

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Solar Power

Solar power is one of many renewable sources of energy, and it’s considered one of the more viable options for large-scale electricity generation. As the name suggests, solar panels use energy from the sun to generate electricity. This means that nothing is used up or lost in the process, and the energy production itself doesn’t produce any greenhouse gases. 

There are a few downsides. For example, the panels have an initial cost to set up and require materials that have to be mined. The power also has to be stored in batteries, as solar power can’t be produced overnight. However, the benefits of solar power are impressive, as once the panels are built, they can consistently produce huge amounts of electricity. 

Roof Solar Panels

You might be familiar with solar panels on roofs. This is an increasingly common sight, as even colder countries often get enough sunlight to make solar panels a viable option. Depending on the property, the homeowner can install solar panels that will generate enough electricity to keep them going. 

However, not every property is able to support solar panels. Some roofs aren’t strong enough for solar panels, or they might not be facing the right way. The solar panels need a certain amount of sunlight throughout the day to make the investment worthwhile.

Community Solar Fields

Another option is a solar panel field, where multiple solar panels are installed on a flat area. This still has some downsides, as the land has to be flat and have an appropriate degree of sunlight throughout the day. Also, trees in the area would have to be removed, and that land is unable to be used for anything else.

However, solar fields can be any size and they can produce huge amounts of clean energy. Even better, anyone can get involved in a community solar project. Energy companies are always looking for solar farm customer acquisition opportunities.

You can invest in a community solar farm and benefit from the clean energy that they provide. You’re also supporting a company that is doing what it can to provide clean energy for as many people as possible, thus protecting the environment. 

If you want to set up a community solar field yourself, look into flatland that meets the needs of a solar field. You also need to get planning permission and find other people to get involved. But you’ll find it’s more than worth the initial investment.