Community power is a concept that is gaining momentum in Canada and the US. What is it. Well community solar is a means of reducing fossil fuel use for power by promoting renewable energy resources at the residential and farm level. A "feed-in" tariff is applied to the energy that a homeowner or other producer is able to pump back onto the grid. This ensures that the producer of the renewable energy is properly compensated for their efforts and investment.

This technique stimulates the production of renewable energy and reduces the demand on fossil fuels for our power needs.

There are detractors though. Some people don't have a site that allows for participation. Some feel that there are chances for abuse and scamming.

Community solar has the ability to change our power grid and how we acquire energy.

I think that you missed a point here. The fact that some don't have sites that can support solar is a justification for community solar, not a detractor. By making it communal you allow even those without the capabilities to benefit from the technology and the resources.

sunluvr, you are right. Community solar is great on so many levels. Depending on the programs, it can save money on initial investments, spread the risk over more households, supply larger power benefits, and save more money over the long haul. I am all for community solar and now if I could just convince the neighbors.

How does the billing work for a project like this? If everyone is sharing, then evidently all the homes are tied together either directly to the power sources or through the billing structure. I wonder if that is an issue. I think more than most are willing to take communally, but how do you ensure that people will give/pay communally?

There are issues with who pays and what makes it more difficult is if using a grid tie system, if not everyone pays, then the power could get turned off. I think that community solar is the path for the future, but right now there are definitely logistics that need to be worked out.

Anything communal has the potential to attract freeloaders or allow those who fall on hard times to slack while placing more responsibility on the community at large. I think this is a great step forward, but not one that comes without risks.