The Benefits of Community Solar | Jonathon Fletcher | TEDxFSCJ

[@DIYOneForAll]

We need this guy to address the government in South Carolina. We are still behind the times in this place (South Carolina)! There are no solar access laws in South Carolina. I was forced to remove my solar panels by the homeowners association!

[@firesign4297]

In upstate N.Y.....love it!😊

[@igorbukovy4313]

Do not cut down trees to build solar farm, build it in other place.

[@Jupiter1423]

Not true!

[@igorbukovy4313]

@@Jupiter1423 Dude, I am not going to argue with You because we have different opinions.

[@SA-xt1gd]

I still dont get it. So I subscribed with a government owned community solar. It asked what utility company I used. So solar is generating electricity okay? What does it have to do with National grid? How am I saving money?

[@jodyhart1205]

The solar farms are build and owned by independent investors. In NY and Mass, where I work, I enroll the consumer at no cost into the farm. Whatever electricity is generated on your portion on the farm that month, the developer is paid with a bill credit. The bill credit is applied to your National Grid bill. You are then charged 90% of what is paid on your bill by the developer. For every $100 paid, you save $10. There is no cost to "buy in" and no cost to leave, with the appropriate notice.

[@Jupiter1423]

Youre buying credits that reflect the production of the solar farm. What you pay for that is the retail rate for electricity less a discount often determined by either your state or the utility. The discounts are often calculated through net metering programs or (even better) value of solar (or VOS) rates that are recalculated on an annual basis. Always go for fixed rates rather than variable spreads.

[@bobbycanterro1685]

Can you save money with this?

[@jodyhart1205]

It depends n state laws. In Massachusetts and New York, where I enroll consumers in Community Solar at no cost, the customer saves 10% on the bill credits. For every $100 that the farm pays on your electric bill, the farm charges you $90.

[@Jupiter1423]

@@jodyhart1205 what about low income? We offer 50% discounts for low income.

[@Jupiter1423]

What people dont realize is the long term savings. If you spend $500/month on electric and you have a 10% savings upfront you save $600 year 1. Say you get your rate fixed and the cost of electric goes up 2% a year over 25 years then your savings are compounded 2% above the $12k in savings over the term of your subscription if you sign on for 25 years.