Community Solar vs. Rooftop Solar: What’s the Difference?

Small Energy Bill is the best company to help you decide which option is right for you.

Rooftop solar is the most common type of solar energy system and is installed directly on the roof of a home or business. While community solar is becoming increasingly popular, rooftop solar is still the most common way for people to access solar energy.

Should you mount solar panels to your rooftop or join a community solar farm? As the sustainable energy transformation continues to rise, many households are taking advantage of the financial and environmental advantages of solar power.

It’s essential to consider the advantages and drawbacks of each. So, how do community solar and rooftop solar differ, and which one is suited for you? Let’s take a closer look to find out!

Rooftop Solar Basics

Rooftop solar is one of the most popular forms of solar energy currently available. Rooftop solar involves installing photovoltaic (PV) panels on a rooftop or property that can convert solar radiation into electricity for use in a home or business. This type of renewable energy offers several main benefits, including cost savings and environmental benefits.

Advocates of rooftop solar argue that it allows individuals to control their own energy production, keep costs low, and maximize the efficiency of their panels. Compared to other forms of solar energy, this type of installation typically requires little or no maintenance to operate effectively. Additionally, since the system is connected directly to an individual’s property, they can be assured that their production and consumption are handled in a safe and secure manner.

However, detractors point out that rooftop solar has its drawbacks as well. Due to the space requirements of the installation it may not be possible to fit enough PV panels on some roofs. In addition, it isn’t always practical for homes in urban areas where roofs are shared or other structures block access to direct sunlight for extended periods throughout the day. Furthermore, there are certain restrictions that vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction regarding what types of rooftops can support a solar installation and whether or not people need a permit for it.

Despite these limitations, rooftop solar is still one of the most popular forms of renewable energy available today due to its cost savings and environmental advantages. As more innovations continue to emerge in the industry, this renewable source could continue to expand its reach as an efficient source of clean energy.

Community Solar Basics

Community solar is a renewable energy system that supplies electricity to numerous participants by utilizing a shared solar array. In simpler terms, community solar projects are large solar energy installations built and maintained in public locations that community members can join and receive credits for the energy produced from their shares. It allows those who cannot install rooftop solar for financial, technical or legal reasons to participate in the growth of renewable energy.

Generally, there are two primary models available: community-owned and third-party-owned systems. Community-owned systems are distinctly owned with joint responsibility of the community members while third-party-owned systems offer a direct ownership arrangement with third party stakeholders, such as property owners and developers. Customers who invest in the system can receive bill savings and other economic benefits associated with the project.

Proponents of community solar argue that it provides access to dramatically lower rates of energy, hands taxes back to municipalities instead of utilities and thus helps keep communities autonomous. They also point out that while rooftop solar requires significant up front costs that are not always practical or possible for some people, community solar has no upfront costs which makes it an attractive option for many households.

On the other hand, critics suggest that because solar farms have fewer environmental safeguards compared to individual installations, they may not prove as effective when it comes to reducing the carbon foot print. Further, since these farms operate in public areas, some might argue that those resources would be better spent on improving infrastructure or recreational activities within the community than on setting up a new technology platform.

Overall, community solar offers an alternative solution for those who are unable to benefit from traditional rooftop installations due to physical or financial limitations. It is clearly beneficial for expanding the reach of renewable energy; however further research into the pros and cons must be considered before making an informed decision about whether this type of program is right for your area.

Where Does Community Solar Come From?

Community solar is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional rooftop solar. This shared model of energy production allows more people access to the benefits of solar electricity, regardless of building or geographic restraints.

Unlike rooftop solar, with community solar, electricity production takes place in one centralized area that multiple consumers can tap into. Usually, a large array of photovoltaic panels is installed in a single location, typically owned by a local utility company. This energy is then split amongst participants, who pay for either a portion of the array’s power output or purchase credits from the system.

The installation of these systems can be controversial due to their visibility and potential resource constraints. Critics argue that this type of solar over-burdens land-use and natural resources and will lead to less ecosystem diversity in the area. On the other hand, proponents emphasize that there are many places where communities might not have suitable rooftops available for solar energy generation, making shared systems like these essential for greater renewable energy access.

Ultimately, community solar provides a unique way to diversify renewable energy sources while providing beneficial ownership opportunities to local entities, such as homeowners associations or municipalities.

Who Can Access Community Solar?

Community solar allows individuals to tap into the energy produced by utility-scale or communal solar arrays. This option enables those who can’t install solar panels on their properties—due to inadequate roof space, inappropriate azimuth, or simply lack of ownership—to join in on the benefits of solar energy.

The expanded access to solar opens the door to new customers and increases the amount of clean energy produced by utilities. Even renters, who often have limited access to solar energy, can now partake in the solar energy revolution. Community solar projects also provide a solution for home and business-owners who experience restrictions from local authorities that deter them from installing a rooftop system. By joining a community array, they can still reap the rewards of renewable energy without all the red tape.

However, some skeptics argue that community solar broadens opportunities minimally in comparison to rooftop systems since it is subject to utilities’ limitations. For many customers, installation timeframes are extended due to lengthy state proceedings and complicated contract negotiation processes with service providers. These delays may discourage customers and limit interest in communal efforts overall.

With greater access has come heightened expectations among customers seeking better options and more affordable rates. As they navigate a potentially convoluted and inconsistent pricing structure, consumers should carefully read contracts to make sure they understand available terms and conditions before signing up for services.

• Community solar projects can provide up to 20% more power than a single rooftop system, due to the combined output of multiple members.
• Community solar provides direct access to utility-scale solar power for low to moderate-income households or renters who otherwise would not have the opportunity to take advantage of energy produced through solar energy.
• According to a 2020 report, community solar capacity in the U.S. has more than doubled over the past year, reaching 2,637MW in 2019.

Cost Comparison

The cost of each solar energy option may be the most crucial factor when choosing a type of solar. Whether buying or leasing, rooftop systems are more expensive than community systems.This is due to several factors including hardware installation costs, maintenance expenses and even aesthetics.

One key advantage to rooftop solar is that you own the system, meaning you will get the full benefits when selling your home – particularly if you pay for it in cash up front. On the contrary, with community solar, you are renting a portion of another person’s solar project, known as their “net metering” rights. A major benefit is that you typically can not only utilize this portion of their system at no cost, but also reap financial benefits from any power generated over that amount.

Another major difference between rooftop and community solar concerns performance and outputs. Large rooftop systems take up valuable space of the house, making them difficult to install and often visibility on certain home structures like steeply pitched roofs may not make it worth the expense just to have visibility from street view. By contrast, community solar fields have far more space available which can lead to far larger installations that can produce more power with fewer barriers found in roof top installs.

An important point to ponder: if roof top solar is not suitable for your homestead due to complex roofs, weather conditions or lack of sun exposure throughout the day, then in some cases such home owners may benefit more financially from a Community Solar Project despite its higher lease costs.

Benefits of Community Solar

The concept of community solar provides significant advantages to both individuals, businesses, and communities. It gives many people a chance to join in on solar energy that otherwise would not have even had the option to do so.

Some of the main benefits of community solar include:

1) Lower Start-Up Costs: One of the biggest advantages to joining an existing community solar system is that it requires significantly lower start-up costs than installing an individualized rooftop system. Community customers pay only for what energy they use by purchasing shared energy allocation units from the provider, rather than paying for costly upfront equipment fees associated with installing individual systems.

2) Flexible Contract Lengths: Most Community Solar subscribers also benefit from flexible contract lengths. Once someone enrolls in a Community Solar farm, they can opt out if their lifestyle changes or if they move away from the area without having to worry about long-term contracts or expensive equipment returns.

3) Increased Accessibility: One of the core values of a Community Solar program is accessibility. Since many households cannot afford or simply lack access to individual rooftop systems, Community Solar opens up opportunities for everyone who lives within the service area of a utility provider. It increases access to renewable energy sources and appeals especially to those living in low income areas or multi-family homes.

4) Debateable Argument: While some argue that Community Solar provides an easier way to adopt solar energy on a wide scale, other critics are concerned that these larger installation sites take away jobs from local installers and eliminate custom designs presented with individual solar setups.

Benefits of Rooftop Solar

Rooftop solar energy provides numerous benefits to homeowners. First and foremost, rooftop solar reduces electricity bills and delivers a great return on investment. By investing in solar panels, homeowners can save up to 30-50 percent or more of their electricity bill, depending on the size of the system and total electricity usage. Additionally, many states offer tax incentives that further reduce the cost of installing a rooftop solar system.

For many homeowners, the chance to pursue renewable energy is attractive. Installation of rooftop solar enables households to power their homes with clean and renewable energy.

This not only helps reduce environmental pollution but also combats climate change. Furthermore, productive use of rooftop space encourages the increased use of sustainable energy systems.

Finally, going solar does not need to be expensive anymore with financing options for those who do not want up-front capital expenditure for the purpose of buying a solar system.

Solar leasing helps overcome this obstacle, allowing homeowners to benefit from longer repayment periods and monthly payments that are often equal to or less than current electricity bills depending on individual circumstances.

On the con side, however, installing a home system requires access to adequate space for panel positioning. Thus if you live in an area where there is limited land available then it can limit your options. Also, installation can involve complex measures that require resources such as time and money which may not be available to everyone regardless of incentives offered by states.

The Final Comparison

When it comes to making a decision between community solar and rooftop solar, understanding the differences between the two is key. While there are some similarities between the two, there are also significant differences when taking into account cost, ease of installation, electricity supply, and ownership.

• Cost: Rooftop solar typically requires more of an upfront investment due to the equipment and installation costs associated with it; however, in some locations, incentives can offset some of these costs. Community solar projects are generally cheaper due to economies of scale.
• Ease of Installation: Rooftop solar requires more complex installation processes which involve removing existing roofing, re-enforcing supports, installing panels and all associated electrical infrastructure. In comparison, community solar requires minimal set up since most installations occur on off-site facilities that require less construction to bring online.
• Electricity Supply: Rooftop solar enables homeowners to have direct control over their electricity usage through monitoring panels directly installed on their property. Community solar systems do not allow for immediate or personal access to energy production, but rather allow customers to purchase membership through a tier system and benefit from credits generated from these projects on their electric bill.
• Ownership: Through rooftop solar models, consumers actually own the panels which allows them to reap direct benefits from selling excess energy into the grid or using net metering programs; this is not possible with community solar as users simply purchase electricity through a third party entity.

Reach out to Small Energy Bill to discover the advantages of both community and rooftop solar power.