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.
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.
Renewables International: Unleashing the force of citizen investors
By
Craig Morris
Americans continue to underestimate the importance of community ownership in the renewables sector. A recent article at Think Progress is the latest example. But one significant number was left out of the calculation, as we discuss in the latest edition of Do the Math!
Renew Economy: Victoria wind farm breakthrough, with pioneering share structure
By
Giles Parkinson
A small 5-turbine wind farm project with an innovative share ownership model has become the first wind energy project in the state of Victoria to receive council approval in recent years.
Telegraph: Power to the people – and to their homes
By
Telegraph View
The story of wind turbine development in this country might be less fractious had the last Labour government encouraged a community-based approach from the outset . . .
Renewables International: 8 MW of Community Owned Solar Launched in Bavaria
By
Craig Morris
Yesterday, we reported on the completion of the largest solar array in Baden-Württemberg, which is also largely owned by local citizens. In nearby Bavaria, a developer of PV arrays has now also announced that four community-owned projects were also completed by the end of April to be eligible for that month’s feed-in tariffs.
Renewables International: Community ownership of 7.8 MW solar farm
By
Craig Morris
At the beginning of the month, the largest solar project in Baden-Württemberg was connected to the grid. Its ownership structure is typical of such projects in Germany – and could serve as an example abroad. . .
