Southeastern Vermont Community Action southeastern-vermont-community-action
WestminsterVT
Featured studies on projects that are similar to yours based on your selections. These case studies provide a deeper look at LMI community solar projects that took unique and effective approaches to financing and implementation.
Some municipalities or counties offer incentives for solar installations, including property tax exemptions, streamlined permitting, rebates, or other incentives based on system capacity or energy production. Every county or municipality has their own framework for incentivizing (or disincentivizing) solar installation. They also have authority to set ordinances that set the requirements for how, when, and where solar can be installed.
In some instances, project developers can negotiate a no-cost site lease. This is common when state or local governments or institutions sponsor a community solar program. These entities may have rooftop space or vacant parcels suitable for solar installation. While no-cost land leases do not lower upfront investment costs, they can lower ongoing operating costs.
Private foundations or corporations provide grants for renewable energy development. Grants may be offered geographically or to specific segments of the population, especially low- and moderate-income, BIPOC, and environmental justice communities. Many foundations are focused on climate and equity, providing significant opportunities to fund community solar projects that serve these communities. Most foundations publish Requests for Proposals (RFPs) that announce project eligibility requirements, funding limits, as well as the requirements and timelines for submitting your proposal.
Grantsmanship: https://www.tgci.com/funding-sources
In this model, donations or investments are sourced from individuals or organizations, usually consisting of small donations from many donors. New community and crowdsourced financing models for solar will expand the availability of cheap capital -- if regulatory risk can be cleared.
