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Looking for feedback: Community Solar

Beantown

Beantown

Well-Known Member
Hi everyone. In conjunction with the rooftop solar thread it made me want to get feedback on my business. What my company does here in Massachusetts is build local Community Solar gardens/farms. These gardens are created for residences/small business's who don't qualify for rooftop solar (shading, bad roof, condo, renters) or for people who don't like the look of them. It's also used for people who have rooftop solar but are not 100% offset.

Here is the breakdown of the program:

1. No upfront cost, no install on roof or property (no modifications to the home)

2. Can offset 100% of the bill (no restriction on rooftop sizing)

3. Able to "resize" system if usage changes (unlike rooftop)

4. Can keep the panels with them if they move

5. Can transfer to anyone (not just the new homeowner or business owner)

6. Pay .90 cents on the $1 for Community Solar, so it ends up being a 10% discount

7. Local solar farms are a boost to the local economy as well as the environment


Here is a company video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q044rGoaIJo



So I am looking for feedback. Is there any reason you as a resident or business owner would not participate in Community Solar?

Thanks for the responses!
 
Boris said:
4 5 6 and 7 make no sense.
Click to expand...

4. The panels are connected to your utility account number, when you move you just provide your new account number.

5. You can transfer those panels to another account. Any account in the area.

6. Every .90 cents you pay for a solar net metering credit, you get a full $1 value to offset your utility bill.

7. Solar farms go on unusable farm land or brownfields, local developers, installers, electricians....etc.


Does that help?
 
Beantown said:
Hi everyone. In conjunction with the rooftop solar thread it made me want to get feedback on my business. What my company does here in Massachusetts is build local Community Solar gardens/farms. These gardens are created for residences/small business's who don't qualify for rooftop solar (shading, bad roof, condo, renters) or for people who don't like the look of them. It's also used for people who have rooftop solar but are not 100% offset.

Here is the breakdown of the program:

1. No upfront cost, no install on roof or property (no modifications to the home)

2. Can offset 100% of the bill (no restriction on rooftop sizing)

3. Able to "resize" system if usage changes (unlike rooftop)

4. Can keep the panels with them if they move

5. Can transfer to anyone (not just the new homeowner or business owner)

6. Pay .90 cents on the $1 for Community Solar, so it ends up being a 10% discount

7. Local solar farms are a boost to the local economy as well as the environment


Here is a company video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q044rGoaIJo



So I am looking for feedback. Is there any reason you as a resident or business owner would not participate in Community Solar?

Thanks for the responses!
Click to expand...

okay, by "no upfront costs" I'm assuming it's financed or leased (to own).
How about get into the costs rather than simply say they're not upfront before asking us if there's any reason we wouldn't do it.

St. George has a city solar farm. Don't know much about it but it seems to be doing well.
 
Beantown said:
4. The panels are connected to your utility account number, when you move you just provide your new account number.

5. You can transfer those panels to another account. Any account in the area.

6. Every .90 cents you pay for a solar net metering credit, you get a full $1 value to offset your utility bill.

7. Solar farms go on unusable farm land or brownfields, local developers, installers, electricians....etc.


Does that help?
Click to expand...

Okay so what if I move and cannot sell the 20 year contract or whatever?
 
Dr. Jones said:
okay, by "no upfront costs" I'm assuming it's financed or leased (to own).
How about get into the costs rather than simply say they're not upfront before asking us if there's any reason we wouldn't do it.

St. George has a city solar farm. Don't know much about it but it seems to be doing well.
Click to expand...


This is not a finance or a lease. Nothing goes on your credit. It's the same setup you have with your utility. Rather than purchase electricity from your utility provider you instead choose to buy solar credits. No upfront fees or additional costs.
 
Beantown said:
This is not a finance or a lease. Nothing goes on your credit. It's the same setup you have with your utility. Rather than purchase electricity from your utility provider you instead choose to buy solar credits. No upfront fees or additional costs.
Click to expand...

Okay, so rather than asking if there's a reason I wouldn't do it. Tell me why I would. Is there anything above feel-good?
 
Boris said:
Okay so what if I move and cannot sell the 20 year contract or whatever?
Click to expand...

Great question. You're not locked in. You have the first right to gift them to whoever you want or we transfer them to another customer (we transfer to customers who are using more power an want more panels)
 
So it's just a matter of saying that I want to pay 10% less for my energy? I would have no upfront costs, maintenance costs or any other costs? Is there a subsidy involved? Would I actually own anything or am I just getting the opportunity to buy electricity for cheaper?
 
Joe Bagadonuts said:
So it's just a matter of saying that I want to pay 10% less for my energy? I would have no upfront costs, maintenance costs or any other costs? Is there a subsidy involved? Would I actually own anything or am I just getting the opportunity to buy electricity for cheaper?
Click to expand...


Correct, 10% discount and feel good about the energy you're buying. No upfront cost, insurance, maintenance...nada. All subsidy's go the developer which makes the discount possible. No ownership.
 
Beantown said:
Correct, 10% discount and feel good about the energy you're buying. No upfront cost, insurance, maintenance...nada. All subsidy's go the developer which makes the discount possible. No ownership.
Click to expand...
In other words, we pay for it in taxes. If I don't do it I still pay for those who do because my taxes go up anyway. Unless something has drastically changed it is not cheaper to produce energy through solar than coal, etc. It's significantly more expensive. So we get to feel good because we're contributing to Hillary's dream of putting coal miners out of work?
 
Beantown said:
Sorry I misunderstood, I own 33% and am VP of Sales.
Click to expand...

Awesome. I have thought about employing this same model and have some great sales and marketing ideas for it.
Have considered doing this, almost exactly, for several years.

Would love to see/understand the financial modeling.

If you want to talk partnering out this way let me know. I can bankroll it.
 
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