News & Articles on Community Power
Developing renewable energy on the scale needed to make the energy transition will require public acceptance. Unlike nuclear power, where society can force a single plant on a community for the benefit of society at large, renewable energy will have to become ubiquitous in our communities and on our landscapes. This can only be possible when the majority accept this transformation. Experience has taught that acceptance is greatest when neighbors and the community at large can participate in the renewable energy revolution. The beauty of renewable energy is that everyone can take part–and own a stake in their future–when given an opportunity to do so. The challenge is creating the policies that make this possible, whether it’s for a community wind project or a solar garden.
31 Community Power Coops Wind Contracts in Ontario
By
Soon, more of the power produced in some 60 municipalities in Ontario will be owned by the people of the province through community power co-operatives. Twenty-five MW in contracts have been awarded to 33 co-ops located across the province.
German Renewable Cooperatives Continue Growth (auf Deutsch)
By
Some 130,000 Germans have now invested 1.2 billion Euros in renewable energy cooperatives capable of generating 580 million kWh per year. Half of the investment is in solar, 40% in wind. More than half of German renewables are owned by its citizens in limited partnerships that are a different form of ownership model to that of cooperatives
Community Energy in the UK: A review of the evidence
By
Department Of Energy & Climate Change
The Government recognises that there are a number of potential benefits of community energy. In June 2012, DECC Minister Greg Barker announced that the Government would launch a Community Energy Strategy in the autumn of 2013. This interim report is being published alongside the Government Community Energy Call for Evidence which will also inform the Strategy.
SolarShare Poised to Become Largest Solar Power Cooperative in North America
By
Paul Gipe
SolarShare announced 8 July that the Ontario Power Authority has awarded it 4.9 MW in new feed-in tariff contracts. Combined …
Zoo Poo Power Wins Ontaraio FIT Contract
By
First cooperative biogas plant in Canada–and likely in North America as well–wins 500 kW contract from the Ontario Power Authority to build plant at the Toronto Zoo.
More community energy projects to get support under Feed-in Tariffs
By
Department Of Energy & Climate Change
Aspiring communities across the nation will be able to receive Feed-in Tariff (FITs) payments for the clean green energy generated by larger community energy projects, under new plans set out by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) today. Projects such as solar PV on school roofs or panels on libraries, community owned wind turbines and hydro power from local streams could all benefit under the proposed new rules.
Globe & Mail: One small town wind farm, 286 owners
By
Richard Blackwel
This little wind farm, about 15 km from Tatamagouche, is just one of dozens in Nova Scotia, hundreds in Canada, and thousands around the world. But it is also highly unusual in that it is owned by 286 people – most of whom live nearby – who have joined together to finance the project, and who will eventually reap dividends from the power it produces. Carpenters, school teachers, farmers and bank employees have invested an average of about $9,000 each, raising more than $2.6-million.
CleanTechnica: Community Power: What’s In A Name?
By
Jasmine Shepard and Linda Barrera
In recent months, there has been a surge of activity surrounding community power policy and initiatives in the United States. This year alone we can expect 200 megawatts of community solar, up from just 10 megawatts a year ago.
Urban Wind Another Example–Union City Indiana
By
Paul Gipe
I’ve written before about what is real “urban wind” and in that article I’ve sited several examples. There are so …
Reneawables International: The Energy transition cheaper with citizen investments
By
Craig Morris
Outsiders sometimes claim that Germany’s energy transition comes at a high price, with a tremendous impact on the poor. In reality, Germany is giving its citizens a way of safely investing even relatively small amounts of money, such as 500 euros, outside of the casino that our stock markets have become.
