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The first step in
considering the development of a clean energy project
for a particular community involves finding the right
resource. For most communities, solar energy is the most
practical renewable energy resource available. Some
utilities invest in large-scale solar power plants, but
community solar can also be used as a small-scale
application for a variety of public works. |
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The term “community solar”
focuses on projects designed to increase access to solar
energy and reduce upfront costs for participants. The
good news is, solar technology’s modularity and
flexibility make it compatible with the existing
configuration of virtually any urban or suburban
community. In fact, a Hannah Solar solution can be
customized and adapted to fit any public works project.
For these reasons and more, our solar power applications
are often the preferred energy solution for community
projects of all sizes.
As well as being a
clean, renewable energy source, community solar has
other unique characteristics and benefits. At
Hannah, our solar power solutions:
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Reduce the amount
of money siphoned out of a community for its energy
needs, thereby strengthening the local economy.
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Increase public
knowledge about solar energy and encourage
participation beyond core solar supporters.
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Remove home
ownership as a barrier to participation.
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Provide optimal
project-siting and permitting opportunities.
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Give you endless
“net metering” possibilities.
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Create
opportunities for you to test new models of
marketing, project financing, and service delivery.
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Supply maximum
power production to coincide with peak power
consumption.
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Are a safe energy
source, reducing security concerns.
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Strengthen the
transmission/distribution system (potentially
postponing capacity upgrades).
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Create local jobs.
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Reduce the public’s
costs through economies of scale.
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Generate energy
close to the load so you eliminate the amount of
energy lost in transmission.
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There are other
utility-scale technologies (wind, biomass, etc.) that
can be used to benefit a community. However, solar
energy's ability to be utilized on-site—as opposed to
other renewable energy technologies—allows for smaller
systems that will provide cumulative results. Community
solar is less defined by the size of a single
installation than by the cumulative benefits that go
beyond any one private business or citizen. |
