Full Title: Technical Potential and Meaningful Benefits of Community Solar in the United States
Author(s): Katy Waechter, Eric O’Shaughnessy, Sudha Kannan, and Robin Burton
Publisher(s): National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date: February 21, 2024
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Description (excerpt):
Community solar is any solar project or purchasing program within a geographic area in which the benefits flow to multiple customers, such as individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and other groups. Community solar customers typically subscribe to or own a portion of the energy generated by a solar array and receive an electric bill credit for electricity generated by their share of the community solar system. Community solar can offer greater household savings for electricity customers, provide access to solar energy for low- to moderate-income (LMI) customers, generate resilience and grid benefits, and boost solar workforce development, among other benefits.1 The goal of this study was to identify the maximum amount of community solar capacity that is physically feasible for development and the extent of the associated benefits.