Idaho Needs Community Solar!
Not everyone owns a home or can afford to put solar panels on their roof. Community solar is a way to let EVERYONE benefit from local solar power. Solar panels are put on a community building and the power is shared across the neighborhood!
Learn More About Community Solar
View our short rack card or trifold brochure with this information & more.
What Are The Benefits Of Community Solar?
- Reduce energy bills
- Create local jobs
- More democratic control
- Build community wealth
- Increase power reliability
- Improve public health
Where Can Community Solar Projects Be Located?
The possibilities are endless! A few examples include:
- Community buildings
- Parking lots
- Brownfields
Who Owns The Solar Array?
- Cooperatives
- Nonprofits
- Local Governments
- NOT investor-owned corporate utilities!
How Does It Work?
The community comes together to put solar panels on a neighborhood building. The energy from the panels is sold to the utility and is sent through the entire local community using the existing power grid. Local residents can subscribe to the solar panel system for low or no cost and receive credits on their power bill for the energy the panels produce!
What’s Standing In The Way?
Community solar requires utility cooperation to access the grid and adjust customer bills. However, many corporate utilities don’t have community solar programs, and are often resistant to locally-owned solar because they prefer to own all energy resources to maximize their profits.
Additional Resources
- Just Solutions Collective - Community Solar: A Critical Tool for Energy Justice
- View the presentation we gave to the City of Boise on 5/17/24
TAKE ACTION!
It’s time to tell utilities, local officials, and regulators that we are ready to see equitable, community-owned solar power in our communities.