Solar power is a game changer for how people live, work, and
play. Without the reliance on an established electric network, people have more
options to live how and where they want. As energy regulations tighten and
energy prices rise, solar energy can unlock untapped potential in remote
communities. Learn more about the opportunities that solar energy can bring to communities
across the country.
1. Economic Growth
A key indicator of a community’s health is its economic
growth potential. Government leaders often pursue businesses to invest in their
communities, offering tax incentives and bonds to commit. However, it’s not
common for big opportunities to come to remote communities without major
concessions. Former hotbeds for manufacturing now sit empty, their productions
moved overseas and their workforce at a standstill.
Community leaders can leverage solar leasing opportunities
to attract business investments to shovel-ready sites and reuse properties. By
diversifying the power source for these properties, monthly energy costs can be
predictable. Plus, the initial investment can provide tax incentives that can
be layered across local, state, and federal initiatives. The agriculture
industry can benefit from solar power as a way to support irrigation systems,
monitoring applications, and livestock cooling.
New residents can be recruited to relocate to remote
communities by elevating the benefits of leasing solar panels. Include
power diversification in campaigns to encourage people to expand their home
search outside busy city centers. With more people working remotely or willing
to commute for their hybrid schedule, the pool of potential residents
increases. This strategy can also strengthen community makeups by attracting
people from different backgrounds and life experiences.
2. Energy Independence
Reliance on the grid for energy puts limits on how you live
your life. First, where you choose to live is largely dictated by whether you
can access basic utilities to run your home. People preferring a more natural
setting have had options for water and waste service for years, but power has
been limited. Propane tanks bridge the gap for electric power, but they can’t
solve every need. Propane can also be expensive.
Solar power reduces the reliance on utility service and, if
you have the right system, it can be the sole source. Solar panels attached to
your home, business, or on a standalone structure capture solar energy
year-round. Many people pair solar with grid-based electric service, especially
in areas where every day may not be sunny. In these cases, utilities often
provide discounts or credits to homeowners as your solar power reduces the
demand on their system.
Homeowners can also enter a net metering agreement with
their utility provider, selling their excess solar power to the utility.
Utility regulators require them to generate a percentage of their power from
renewables, and net metering helps them comply. In many cases, the income
earned from net metering can reduce the balance owed on utility-provided
electricity service.
3. Increased Quality of Life
Coal-fired power plants have been a part of many
communities’ skylines for generations. Puffs of black smoke, ash ponds, and
pungent odors may be synonymous with productivity, but they take away natural
beauty. While regulations have improved how coal-fired plants are run, many are
being decommissioned or converted to produce less emissions. Utilities are
installing solar panels on old industrial sites, in unused highway properties,
and on flat-roofed buildings. Change is already underway to reduce fossil fuel
reliance and transform communities into cleaner, happier places to live.
With a high presence of solar energy, skylines are preserved
and underutilized properties now have purpose. Wind power generation sparks
lively debate in rural communities, due to its unsightly appearance and
tradeoffs. However, solar power is among the most practical for communities to
utilize, especially in residential applications.
Communities can leverage solar energy in public spaces where
traditional power may be cost-prohibitive to install. Solar power can also
reduce maintenance costs for remote applications or hard-to-access alleyways.
In all, communities have more options and customization available with solar
energy at their disposal. Communities can invest in streetscapes,
beautification projects, and safety lighting knowing that their power source is
reliable, renewable, and cost-effective.
4. Job Creation
The job market has changed dramatically over the past few
generations and today, many students are questioning traditional paths. The
solar energy industry presents a new market for individuals to gain expertise
in and grow their careers. As a new category that’s also growing, solar power
generation and the businesses that support it expand opportunities and jobs.
Skilled tradespeople and laborers are needed to run machines
that create solar panels and fixtures. Scientists, technologists, and
researchers are needed to create more efficient systems and applications.
Sales, marketing, and business people are needed to share the opportunity that
solar provides and deliver great customer service. Beyond the positive impact
on communities, the solar energy industry offers new opportunities for
individuals to build thriving careers.
Solar Power Increases Opportunities for All
Equitable access to power gives people more choices and
empowers communities to reach their potential. Businesses can grow, families
can thrive, and communities can flourish with access to cost-effective,
reliable solar power. Enter a new era of possibility, powered by the sun, and
improve the lives of everyone in your community.