Photo: Jeroen Van de Water | Unsplash
In Boston, US, a pioneering community solar cooperative is being launched by energy-equity advocates with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and fostering economic empowerment in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The cooperative's first project, an 81-kilowatt solar installation on the roof of the Dorchester Food Co-Op, will allow residents to buy or earn ownership stakes in the project, providing them with discounted power and a share of the revenue. Unlike traditional community solar models, this initiative emphasizes community ownership and governance, with a board of local stakeholders overseeing operations. Through innovative financing mechanisms and a commitment to hiring locally, the cooperative seeks to maximize the economic and social impact of its projects, while also fostering engagement in climate solutions within the community. With federal policies like the Inflation Reduction Act providing crucial support, the cooperative aims to expand its model to other neighborhoods and share its learnings with communities interested in forming their own cooperatives.
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