Solar initiative in Sussex County to supply power to 750 homes, furthering Delaware's climate and energy objectives
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Solar power has been a game-changer for Delaware recently, and it's all thanks to the community solar initiatives! No longer are we reliant on out-of-state energy sources—a 9,000-module solar array in Georgetown, Delaware is making waves.
"Frankly, we've got very little generation here in Sussex County," said Democratic state Sen. Stephanie Hansen, "and most of the energy we use comes from way north of us."
Thanks to developers like Nautilus Solar Energy and TurningPoint Energy, citizens who couldn't previously harness rooftop solar's benefits can now access carbon-free, discounted energy. The Georgetown site, situated on a 35.6-acre property, generates 4.7 megawatts of power and is surrounded by a 25-foot-wide landscaped buffer. This is just the beginning— TurningPoint expects to develop six more community solar installations, producing a total of 30 megawatts of power across the state!
These projects provide power for roughly 750 households and small businesses, with low-income households enjoying a 20% discount on their electric bills. Everyone else receives a 10% reduction.
"Delaware really did a great job with this initiative," said Eric LaMora of Nautilus. "Every project, at least 15% of the energy goes to benefit low-income households."
Launching community solar was no simple task; it took years of effort to overcome regulatory hurdles. Sen. Hansen led a community solar stakeholder group to help write and pass Senate Bill 2 in 2021, making the program possible.
But the future of community solar isn't only dependent on state-level decisions. Federal solar tax credits have played a significant role in financing these projects. Sadly, recent changes proposed in the U.S. House budget bill could roll back these tax credits, potentially slowing down the solar industry's growth.
"If these tax credits are eliminated, it could slow down our expansion," shared LaMora.
These tax credits have also fueled efforts in other states, like Pennsylvania, where schools and churches have solar plans that could stall without these incentives. With the clock ticking, solar industry advocates are pressuring the U.S. Senate to preserve the tax credits by phasing them out more gradually.
Stay tuned for updates on Delaware's community solar initiatives as they shape our clean energy future!
[1] Springboard Delaware: https://www.springboarddelaware.org/[2] Delaware Climate Action Plan: https://de.gov/media/delawares-climate-action-plan/[3] Biden administration tax credits for renewables: https://www.hktp-law.com/resources/federal-investment-tax-credit-changes-in-2022/
- The growing adoption of renewable energy, particularly community solar initiatives, is a key focus in environmental science and climate-change discussions at both state and federal levels.
- In Delaware, the recent introduction of community solar projects involving developers such as Nautilus Solar Energy and TurningPoint Energy has enabled household and business access to carbon-free, discounted energy, with a particular emphasis on benefiting low-income households.
- These community solar projects have been financed in part through federal solar tax credits, which have played a significant role in driving investments in the renewable energy sector. However, proposed changes in the U.S. House budget bill may roll back these tax credits, potentially impacting the growth of the solar industry.
- The real-estate sector may also be influenced by the development of renewable energy sources, as the shift towards clean energy could have far-reaching effects on property values and overall sustainability in various states, including Pennsylvania.
