This model probably most closely matches your idea of how solar might benefit you and your community. In short, this model involves organizing a group of collective buyers in order create more negotiating power when purchasing solar panels. Collective purchasing also helps to negotiate bulk discounting and spread installation and maintenance costs across more users.
For residential power users, a cooperative (co-op) can be formed to organize a larger group of households and better manage the solar purchasing process. The co-op can either be organized directly by a group of residents or facilitated through an existing nonprofit or community-based organization. Throughout the installation process, co-op and supporting organization works with co-op members to evaluate and understand their individual solar contracts.
For single commercial power users, the amount of electricity you currently consume helps to determine whether you would be able to achieve bulk discounting on solar panels. Additionally, a group of commercial power users would also potentially be able to take advantage of this model using a similar approach to residential power users.
*Note: While leasing solar panels may be also a potential option using a similar methodology, the process has not been evaluated for the VEIC for its potential to provide community benefits.
Disclaimer: The VEIC is still in its developmental stages! In the future, we will be able to provide you with a full Toolkit of resources to explore how you may be able to utilize the Rooftop Solar Collective Purchasing model.
Example:
Solar United Neighbors (click link to learn more!) Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that arranges solar co-ops for group purchase of home solar panel installations.
