Solar energy is well known for benefits like renewability and cost. But did you know its impact also extends to environmental justice? According to the American Public Health Association, environmental justice advocates that every individual and community deserves to live in a safe and healthy environment with fair protections and meaningful involvement in environment-related decisions. Unfortunately, inequity persists in the environmental sector as low-income or underserved communities struggle to find access to solar energy due to their socio-economic disadvantage.
In this article, we will explore how these communities are disproportionately affected by climate change and how community solar can help alleviate these burdens.
The impact of climate change on underserved communities
Underserved communities are uniquely affected by environmental issues. A lot of underserved communities exist in urban areas, increasing their exposure to pollution from factories. As a result of air pollution caused by carbon emissions, these communities are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions like asthma or heart disease. The rising temperature that follows carbon emissions only exacerbates chronic conditions, creating a vicious cycle. Due to their low income status many families in this situation do not have the financial means to move away from these areas of concentrated pollution.
So how can solar energy help them?
Community solar is a solar energy program that grants households and businesses in a designated area access to solar energy while saving money on their electric bills. Here’s how this system can support environmental justice outcomes for underserved communities over the long run.
- Community solar gives communities access to clean energy
- Traditional solar energy may not be easily accessible to low income households because of installation costs, their housing system is outdated, or both. Fortunately, community solar means solar energy for all. Based on guidelines from the U.S Department of Energy’s 2022 Sunny Awards, community solar projects are obligated to save at least 40% of their capacity for the needs of low to moderate income households. Thanks to the subscription discount for community solar, these communities now have a convenient and affordable option to join the clean energy movement.
- Community solar saves them money
- Community solar is designed to maximize savings for subscribers over time. Subscribers receive a monthly discount of 5-25% and incur no additional costs to opt in or out of a program. In turn, they receive solar credits that help reduce their monthly utility bills. Overtime, this could result in thousands of dollars in electricity savings. For underserved communities that already struggle to make ends meet, let alone afford clean energy, community solar provides significant financial relief and peace knowing that they can access solar energy without breaking the bank.
- Community solar gives them better health outcomes
- By facilitating access to solar energy, a safer and cleaner option for electricity generation, these families become less reliant on non-renewable energy and fossil fuels. This results in less carbon emissions, less pollution, and cleaner air. This is key for individuals with conditions like asthma or other respiratory diseases. Moreover, the money saved from community solar programs allows these families to spend money on more important things, like healthcare.
- Community solar creates job opportunities for community members
- Community solar programs provide job prospects. Solar energy is a promising sector employment-wise, meaning the more community-owned solar programs are set up, the more job opportunities will be available to residents of these communities. In addition, these projects can strengthen business relations with community members by prioritizing contracts with women-owned or minority-owned businesses when it comes to maintenance or operations of the solar systems. This allows all community members to participate in the booming solar sector while building wealth for themselves and their local community.
Community solar projects are not just good for the environment. They also help advance the socio-economic interests of the communities they serve.
Learn how you can help by joining the movement
Written By Alfreda Adote | Edited By Lauren McGregor