How Does Community Solar Compare with Rooftop Solar?
The number of homeowners in Massachusetts using community solar is rising. Requiring no rooftop panels and having many other advantages, community solar is a better way to harness the power of the sun than rooftop solar. Whether you are a property owner, entrepreneur, or tenant, consider community solar.
For a clearer understanding of this solution, continue reading . . .
What is Rooftop Solar?
Rooftop solar is a photovoltaic power station that contains power-generating solar panels mounted to the roof of a private residence, business building, or other structure. The segments of such a system include photovoltaic modules, links, mounting systems, sun-based inverters, and other electrical components.
For the most part, rooftop solar units are installed on private structures, with a typical limit of 5 to 20 kilowatts (kW).
What is Community Solar?
Community solar is a solar power plant that shares power among multiple family units. It alludes to an outsider-possessed plant, which serves a group or community. Its purpose is to allow people from a group to share the advantages of solar power regardless of the feasibility of placing solar panels on their individual properties.
Community Solar vs. a Rooftop PV System
Below you will find the difference between community solar and rooftop solar. Check it out!
Image Credit: https://www.energysage.com/solar/community-solar/community-solar-vs-rooftop-solar
Program Models: In rooftop solar, one can own the system and fund it with solar credits, or agree to a solar lease, or PPA. In community solar, members might buy membership or acquire financing for their projects. The community system is completely owned by the solar organization, and members purchase power at a lower cost.
Billing: in community solar, the utility, a solar project administrator, or a blend of both manages billing. With rooftop solar, only the utility oversees the bill.
Advantages: Community solar takes advantage of the Virtual Net Metering credits on the month-to-month electricity bill. Additionally, utility bills can be diminished through solar credits. Rooftop bills, on the other hand, are paid mostly through the solar net metering credits on a member’s energy bill.
Upkeep and Parts Substitution: After the purchase of and payment for the system, in community solar, maintenance is handled by the project engineer or administrator. A rooftop system requires constant upkeep; furthermore, if the system is rented, system support is handled by the solar company that owns the PV system.
System Lifespan: The typical life expectancy of a community solar system is 25-30 years. With rooftop solar the average life expectancy of the system is also 25-30 years.
Property Values: With community solar, an agreement is reached between the client and the utility; any increased quality or value connected with the system would not accrue to residents or members. Rooftop solar appears to enhance property values.
Natural Considerations: Community solar is better for uses within the proximity of a current network system and to enhance ecological results in unusable areas. Rooftop Solar makes use of immediately adjacent empty spaces.
Are you deciding to go solar in NYC? If yes, there is nothing better than community solar. It’s been tried and tested by the masses.