Traditionally, solar has been accessible to only a select few in society – those who their own homes and those who can afford the high upfront costs associated with purchasing a solar array. This is quickly becoming a thing of the past as community solar farms are paving the way for renters and all income levels to tap into solar. In Australia, the Northern Rivers region, New England, Riverina, and Newcastle are have already established community solar farms through going solar programs. How does it work? Community solar farms are centrally-sited groupings of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels from which community members can buy electricity. They’re essentially mini solar power plants. By becoming a member of a community solar farms, individuals agree to offset their electricity use with green power. In return, they receive a credit on their electricity bill. The best part about it is members can sign up for plans that work for them and their budget. Many plans charge members a flat monthly fee that can be as little as $10 per month. Other plans charge customers a set rate for the amount of electricity they consume, just like a typical electricity bill does – i.e. $.08/kWh. Finally, some plans even allow customers to purchase a panel based on their energy needs – they can pay for the panel upfront or over time, making this a far more affordable option than purchasing an entire PV system. So keep your eyes peeled for community solar farms projects that are likely to be coming to a town near you! If you are able to have your own solar power at home and want to know more see: Choosing Solar Power.Image: Nikifor Todorov/Shutterstock