On the roofs of two unassuming Extra Space storage building in Pico Rivera, an array of solar panels is going to help nearby families reduce their bills costing, while it will also be proving a model for the future of “solar panels” in urban areas across the state.
The project came online in February – nearly 400 low – income households in Basset and Avocado Heights neighborhoods in the southeast San Gabriel Valley are subscribed, to receive a 20% discount from their bills.
“The above communities are some of the most pollution communities in the area” said Amy Wong, program director of the non-profit organization which lead to this solar project. “These communities deserve energy justice, and through this project, we’re able to do that.”
The unincorporated communities have long dealt with pollution as no solution was offered to them till now with the new “community solar project”, as the zone is surrounded by freeways, a battery recycling center and the former Puente Hills landfill.
The community solar bills saving program is part of a broader effort in the area to expand to cleaner energy, including pilot programs installing rooftop solar and battery storage, induction stoves and head pump water heaters.
What is community solar?
California has mostly focused on building huge solar fields out in the desert, or putting panels on top of a single-family homes. But the state lagged when it comes to “community solar” – small to moderately-sized solar projects that can be installed easily from developers, governments, individuals or businesses in spaces such as parking lots, warehouse rooftops and empty lots.
Community solar system work by a process called “virtual allocation,” which means that when you sign up for the program, your bill gets attached to a specific community solar project near where you live (though not always). It’s essentially a subscription service that allows eligible customers to receive a credit on their monthly bills.
Advocated are positive as they say this is the way to proceed to safer, cleaner energy for those who don’t own their own roofs or otherwise can’t put solar on their rooftops.
