my local electric utility, Ameren of MO, is offering users the choice to join their "community solar" program. while i consider the environmental choices of how i spend my money to be very important, i don't have a lot of money to 'give' to charity, but i do a little. my question is am i going to get a better 'return' on my money, paying a for profit utility to install more solar, or should i donate it to a non-profit group like Citizens Climate Org or Solar Electric Light Fund or something?
thanks in advance for any helpful comments, and i apologize for the nebulous nature of the question, lol!
edit – here's the program
Is opting for "Community Solar" through my large electric utility a 'good return'?
byu/Plow_King inenergy
Posted by Plow_King
2 Comments
You need to give details for there to be any judgements made.
What do you get for your investment in the community solar? How much do you pay, what do you receive?
How much would the home system cost for what size? What % of your energy need does it fill? What is the breakeven point?
Solar made sense for us, especially as utility rates continue to increase. It’ll pay itself off in 8-9yrs. The “return” on our solar is about 7%.
Do you get a better deal than you would from a community solar developer? A lot of them have programs where you can subscribe to their solar farm. In general these sorts of programs, from your utility or third party, make sense if you move a lot, or if the types of properties you live in. Or if you rent.