Community Solar - Win, Win, Win?

In December, we reported that the City’s Environment and Public Works Committee was scheduled to be briefed on the State’s Community Solar Act, and the potential for Tacoma to follow the lead of several other cities in Washington already taking advantage of the program. Participating cities allow citizens to invest in producing solar power on public property; the power is then sold back to the local utility.

A large portion of the presentation was made by Brad Burkhartzmeyer, owner of Sun’s Eye Solar Power, a Tacoma-based solar power company, along with Bliss Moore of the Sustainable Tacoma Commission. The presentation included lists of benefits for participating cities, utilities, and private investors, along with descriptions of the various models the program could potentially take, and a list of potential sites where the proposed solar power production might be located. Also included was an assessment of Tacoma’s potential to optimize the benefits of the program, and a checklist and timeline for implementation.

The Executive Summary of the report concluded with a warning that time is of the essence:

“This report emphasizes the fact that timing is of critical importance in development of new community solar projects in Tacoma. These projects would need to be implemented in the next few months to ensure a positive return for citizens who choose to participate in Tacoma’s clean energy future.”

Committee members raised questions about the cost and return on investment for the program, as well as why TPU has chosen not to participate in the program at this time. Despite these questions, the committee has asked staff to move forward on Community Solar. So, with time as a factor, should we jump? Are there any unintended consequences we’re not seeing presented?

Read the full report included in the Environment and Public Works Committee handouts from December 14, 2011 (pdf).

Last week The Tacoma Weekly summarized the Community Solar program nicely, along with Burkhartzmeyer’s pitch for Tacoma to join it.

Previously from Exit133: Community Solar for Tacoma?