Community Renewable Energy

Community Energy Benefits

Greater Economic Benefit

Community energy brings a higher level of economic benefit to local communities than commercially developed projects. Various studies have attempted to quantify this additional benefit, and generally predict 2-5 times the economic benefit will be provided by a project with 100% local equity ownership, versus one owned by an out of area corporation. A recent study published by two professors at the University of Minnesota established that community wind had 5 times the impact on local economic benefit, and 3.4 times the impact on local job creation, relative to a corporate-owned development. The actual impact will vary with every community and project, but generally the higher the local ownership stake, the greater the economic benefit to the local community.

Increased Local Awareness and Involvement in Clean Energy

With greater local investment and control comes a greater awareness and support for the project, as well as clean energy overall. Community members become more aware of the impacts of energy generation and use, and their own clean energy choices. This increased awareness can result in smoother permitting processes for additional projects, and greater understanding and action at a personal level.

Strengthened Communities

Communities working together on an exciting, proactive response to our current energy crisis will form new relationships and be encouraged to initiate additional collaborations. Local knowledge and expertise in clean energy solutions will increase, an asset to any community as our energy system moves from fossil fuel to renewables.