Community Solar Blogs

The Environmental Impact of Community Solar: By the Numbers

Written by Carlene Pruitt | Mar 14, 2024 12:00:00 PM

With climate change putting our planet at risk, the demand for sources of renewable energy has never been more urgent. Community solar is one such source, offering a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. By harnessing the power of the sun, community solar helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, preserve natural resources, and promote a more sustainable future. Let’s take a closer look at the environmental benefits of community solar and the impact you can have by choosing community solar as your renewable energy source.

Community solar offers a variety of environmental benefits, including:

  1. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Solar energy produces no harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. By subscribing to a community solar project, you can reduce your dependence on fossil fuels and support the development of clean renewable energy. Choosing community solar is a simple and effective way to cut your greenhouse gas emissions in half, helping to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.
  2. Preservation of natural resources: Community solar helps to preserve natural resources, such as land and water, by reducing the need for fossil fuel power plants. Fossil fuel extraction and transportation of non-renewable resources like coal, oil, and gas can have negative impacts on the environment, including destruction of habitats for wildlife or the pollution of nearby water sources. To put it simply, choosing community solar can prevent the burning of 8,415 lbs. of coal.
  3. Improved air quality: Traditional fossil fuel power plants emit harmful pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, that can have negative impacts on air quality and human health. Solar energy produces no emissions, which means it helps to improve air quality. In fact, by choosing community solar, one can reduce emergency room visits for respiratory problems by 6%.
  4. Promotion of sustainable development: At Nautilus Community Solar, we have a personal stake in the successful operation of our solar farms. We are deeply committed to the well-being of every community in which our farms are located, and we work closely with local contractors and suppliers to create jobs and foster economic growth within these communities. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a typical 5 MW community solar project can create approximately 50 jobs during construction and up to 3 permanent jobs for ongoing operations and maintenance. Our commitment goes beyond just generating clean and renewable energy; we strive to make a positive impact on the local economy and help build a brighter future for all. By choosing community solar, you join the movement to foster a clean-energy future.
  5. Accessible clean energy: Community solar makes clean energy accessible and affordable to everyone, regardless of their living situation or financial resources. Homeowners who are unable to install solar panels on their roofs, such as those who live in apartments or have shaded roofs, can still benefit from solar energy. Businesses that want to support renewable energy but don't have the resources for a large-scale installation can also participate in community solar. By choosing community solar as an alternative to traditional fossil fuel energy sources, anyone can create a more sustainable future for all. Refer a friend and double your impact!

Community solar offers a variety of environmental benefits that can help to reduce our carbon footprint, preserve natural resources, improve air quality, promote sustainable development, and create a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

Are you ready to join >26,000 subscribers?

By joining a Community Solar project, you've chosen an easy way to support renewable energy, create local power projects that increase regional grid resiliency, and reduce emissions. And you don't have to maintain or optimize your own residential panels yourself or pay someone to do it for you. Subscribing is simple and you will save money on your electric bills with no upfront cost. All that is needed is five minutes and a utility account. To learn more about how you can go green and keep your green with community solar, go to NautilusSolar.com.