Community solar is a rapidly emerging model that combines the value of direct customer “ownership” of rooftop solar with the flexibility and economic advantages of utility-scale solar. Development of a community solar program by an electric utility is not simple and requires a coordinated approach to successfully enter the market.

The first portion of this article provides a definition of community solar, overview of the community solar market, overview of advantages community solar, and outline of community solar models. The second portion of this article uses question and answer format to discuss community solar implementation issues. Questions focus on program design, customer motivations, and financial implications.

Additional Contributing Authors: John Sterling
Public Utilities Fortnightly – December 2015 Magazine