The US Department of Energy (DOE) has set a new goal for the National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP). By 2025, community solar systems will be able to power the equivalent of five million homes, saving $1 billion in energy costs. As per a statement, achieving DOE’s new NSCP target would increase community solar by more than 700 per cent by 2025.
The NCSP is a DOE effort led by the Solar Energy Technologies Office, which collaborates with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. A coalition of community solar stakeholders, including state, local, and tribal governments, solar companies, and community-based groups, are members of the alliance. Partners work together to promote community solar access by using peer networks, technical assistance financing, and resources, with a focus on marginalised communities. NCSP had over 650 members from over 440 partner organisations as of September 2021.
Many Americans still lack access to inexpensive solar energy. This could be due to a lack of cheap financing options and roof conditions that aren’t ideal. Community solar is a form of energy generation in which members pay for a piece of a solar array that is typically positioned near their neighbourhood. Subscribers receive a percentage of the revenue generated by the solar array as it generates electricity, often as a reduction in their monthly electric bill. This will help low-income and disadvantaged populations, whose energy costs are three times higher than those of better-income households.
REGlobal’s Views: Programs like the US National Community Solar Partnership are important to promote the growth of solar power in individual residences and communities which might not be as aware about the various solar power schemes unlike the corporate sector.
