This week the United States House of Representatives voted to pass the Save America’s Solar Power Act (H.R. 1597). The bill would allow communities to form community solar buildings (commonly known as “solar parks”), which would provide a cheap, locally-generated source of energy to residents and businesses.
This is a big deal for the solar industry and for the environment. If the bill becomes law, it would allow community solar projects to be built across the country, and it could drive down the cost of solar electricity. Some researchers predict that the bill could save consumers $15 billion over the next 10 years and cut the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.
There are currently more than 70 bills filed in Congress regarding clean energy, and over 300 Representatives support some type of legislation to address climate change. This is a good sign that the country is finally recognizing the need for cleaner air and a safer environment, and it indicates that there is a good chance that these bills will be passed.
An Overview Of The Bill
H.R. 1597 would amend the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax credits for certain solar energy systems, and it would establish a standard deduction for property taxes paid on solar equipment installed on residential or commercial buildings. The legislation would also allow homeowners to deduct the full cost of their residential solar installation, which helps property values increase along with a city’s green status.
The bill would establish a zero-percent tax credit for solar energy systems installed on residential or light commercial property. Commercial property includes factories, warehouses, and offices. The credit would be phased out for larger systems (>20 KW). Incentives would also be provided for solar hot-tubs, which help save money on your energy bill in the summertime and increase comfort.
What Is A Community Solar Building?
A community solar building is a group of homeowners, businesses, or organizations that come together to form one large structure to generate clean energy. When the building is completed, it typically hosts a solar panel array that generates electricity which is then sold back to the grid.
The concept behind community solar buildings is to reduce the cost of solar power for individuals and businesses who want to install panels but can’t afford to pay for electricity on their own. By banding together, these groups can share the cost of building infrastructure (e.g., cables, inverters, etc.) and purchasing materials (e.g., panels, racking, etc.) to build a small solar power plant.
Many different structures have been proposed for community solar buildings including, church buildings, high school auditoriums, courthouses, and factories. The idea behind this bill is to provide as many options as possible for where and how this new energy source can be utilized.
Why Build A Community Solar Building Instead Of Going Solo?
Going solo when it comes to generating electricity with solar power is certainly an option, however, for those looking to reduce costs and be more efficient, it is often more beneficial to build a community solar building.
The beauty of community solar buildings is that they allow homeowners and businesses to come together to form a single group that can utilize the power of solar in a more flexible manner. This means they can take advantage of government incentives and funding available for projects that produce clean energy and be more creative in how they use solar power.
The Opportunity For Individuals
If you’re looking for an opportunity to generate your own electricity with solar power and would like to take advantage of this bill, here are a few things you could do:
- Contact your local mayor or county executive to see if there is a need for additional energy capacity in your area (e.g., electric vehicles, servers, or other appliances that consume copious amounts of power).
- Seek out community organizations that provide grants for solar projects or co-operatives that buy and sell excess power (e.g., Eco-villages or Communes).
- Join a community solar group in your area that is looking for homeowners, businesses, or organizations to come together and form a group. Most communities will have a Facebook page or website where you can keep up with what is happening in your area.
- Contact your local electric utility to see what incentives they have for grid-connected solar power (e.g., solar power built directly onto your roof-scape).
- Explore your state’s solar energy policies to see if there is any help available for homeowners interested in installing solar power systems.
The Opportunity For Businesses
If your business provides products or services that require a lot of energy (e.g., data centers, servers, copy machines, etc.), then you might be interested in generating your own electricity with solar power. In that case, you could:
- Contact your local energy supplier to see what incentives they have for commercial solar power (e.g., leasing of solar panels or other forms of commercial solar energy).
- Contact your local mayor or county executive to see if there is a need for additional energy capacity in your area (e.g., electric vehicles, servers, or other appliances that consume copious amounts of power).
- Seek out community organizations that provide grants for solar projects or co-operatives that buy and sell excess power (e.g., Eco-villages or Communes).
- Join a community solar group in your area that is looking for homeowners, businesses, or organizations to come together and form a group. Most communities will have a Facebook page or website where you can keep up with what is happening in your area.
- Explore your state’s solar energy policies to see if there is any help available for businesses interested in installing solar power systems.
- Offer your local community organization or institution a no-cost solar-related service project (e.g., designing a solar panel array, designing a web page to promote solar power, etc.). This could be an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in school while also contributing to a much needed community cause.
- Offer your local library or school system a no-cost book fund for the purpose of purchasing books on solar power (e.g., How To Build A Solar Panel System, etc.). This is a great way to expose the public and students to the wonders of solar energy and how it can be used for everyday applications.
If you’re interested in installing a solar panel system on your roof, you can find all the information you need online. The best place to begin is the website of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado (NREL). Here is a link to their community solar guide, which you can access for free:
http://nrel.gov/docs/books/Green_Shielding/
Even though this bill hasn’t passed yet, there is still time to act. If you’re interested in investing in community solar, now is the right time to do it. Just make sure you do your research before making any type of purchase or commitment.