How can Community Solar benefit the Community?

Some benefits include lower utility bills, investment in community organizations, new community spaces, and the reduction of pollution sources within communities by transitioning to cleaner energy.

 

What is Co-Design?

 

Co-Design is a collaborative process where community members, project developers, and other stake holders (anyone with financial, emotional, or spiritual attachment to project) combine their creativity and ideas toward the design process to come up with the best projects for the community's needs. 

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Will this cover both my electricity and gas bill?

Community Solar provides electricity to the household at an affordable price, but the gas bill is not included (unless you have all electrical appliances installed). 

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In order to join Shake Energy’s project, would I have to cancel my subscription to my Utility? 

Not necessarily. If you are reliant on gas to power certain appliances in your home, you would still need to keep that Subscription. 

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What’s the difference between Community Solar and household solar panels?

Community solar makes solar energy financially accessible to everyone and doesn’t require a minimum credit score, while household solar energy is only available to people who own their house and have a sufficient credit score. Low-income communities, renters, and people who aren’t able to install solar on their roofs for structural reasons can all benefit from community solar projects.

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What’s the catch to this? How is Shake Energy able to profit AND give money back to the community? 

At Shake Energy, our priority is designing a community solar project that is AFFORDABLE and works for the community. To do this, our company distributes the revenue made from the Solar project first for operating expenses, to equity investors (including ourselves), and then the rest of the dividends is distributed back to the community. We also get money from a developer fee, which means we get a certain percentage of the revenue for developing the project. 

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How exactly is it more affordable than my regular bill?

We work with the community to figure out a model that is best for them. For example, this might mean deciding on a Cooperative model where community members own and operate the project, monthly discounted payments, or giving a certain percentage of the profit to a community organization. We co-design together with the community in order to determine a financial model that is affordable for everyone, despite of your income or credit score.
 

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