Community Solar Bill Speeds Renewables, Boosts Local Economies

When we think about energy infrastructure, we tend to think in extremes: either gigantic utility scale installations that cover hundreds of acres or micro installations that cover a single garage roof. But there’s another option, an in-between option called community solar. It’s gaining momentum across the nation because in addition to potential to bring significant amounts of electricity to the grid, community solar can also keep profits in the local community and give access to renewable energy to people whose properties don’t currently enable it—people with shady lots, people who live in condos, people who rent, etc. The benefits of community solar are what convinced Michigan State Representative Rachel Hood to introduce legislation that would open up opportunity to speed and expand the development of community solar in Michigan. We invite her on Speaking of Resilience to share the details and help us fully understand what community solar means for people of the Mitten.

Speaking of Resilience is created by the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities and the Michigan Climate Action Network. This episode was produced by Taylor Cramer of Cold Shower Media in collaboration with Nick Loud of the Boardman Review, and hosted by Kate Madigan.