What is community solar? | Maine Explained
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- Solar panels seem to be everywhere lately. On roofs. On fields. On the side of the highway. Solar power is increasingly popular - and seen as part of a renewable energy future. If you don’t have the money for roof panels or investing in solar, there’s another option: subscribe to a community solar farm.
But what is community solar? What do you need to think about when deciding whether to sign up for it? And what does the future of this program look like here in Maine? That's what we dive into in this episode of Maine Explained.
Learn more about community solar from the Maine Office of the Public Advocate: www.maine.gov/...
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Production Credits:
Robbie Feinberg - Host, Writer
Esta Pratt-Kielley - Supervising Producer, Writer and Video Editor
Nik Sparlin - Video Editor, Motion Graphics and Logo Designer
Lucy Santerre - Marketing and Promotion Support
Mark Simpson - Director of News and Public Affairs
Andrew Catalina - Manager of Digital News
Footage by Esta Pratt-Kielley
Additional footage from Brian Bechard
Additional Materials from ReVision Energy and Storyblocks
Maine Explained is a Maine Public production.
This was actually EXTREMELY helpful. Thank you! Any updates on any of this? Maybe an update video would make sense?
Hold on, let's backtrack. He actually got it wrong! If you go on vacation for a month or two or are in the hospital, yes, you do still pay for those months. However, those credits are automatically banked on your behalf for use later in the year during low-generation seasons. You are not worse off. Solar credits take one year to expire, and with all of Maines snowy and rainy seasons, you'll definitely use those credits.
Community solar does not charge you simply based on what we assume you're using, we charge for what is generated on your behalf, and spread out the credits where needed.
Would this result in less fossil fuels being used?
Great question! We asked Robbie, and here's what he said: "Groups like Natural Resources Council of Maine argue that this does lead to fewer fossil fuel uses, because the new solar farms are a source of cleaner energy on the electric grid, theoretically replacing sources like natural gas."
Here's a link to the NRCM's page on the topic: www.nrcm.org/blog/community-solar-whats-the-deal/
@@MainePublic Thank you.
I love the idea, but the math is still not good. 12 to 14 years repayment at best. Also, these panels decline in value.
What about the environmental results?
There’s no upfront investment, hence no “payback.”
@@billolsenfield Except, possibly, in the form of a planet less stressed. My point is, money is far from the only reason.
@@billolsenfield I was talking about buying a share in community solar.