| Resource Type | Report |
| Author / Source | Erifili Draklellis, Rachel Gold, Roberto Zanchi (RMI) |
| Publication Date | November 2023 |
| Location | United States |
| Initiative Type | Program, Partnership |
| Project Complexity | Intermediate |
| Recommended For | Board, Staff, Community Organizations |
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Estimated reading time: 30+ minutes
Why This Matters for Rural Electric Co-ops
Many underserved communities face high energy burdens and barriers to accessing renewable energy programs. Low-income households carry an energy burden three times higher than their non-low-income counterparts, and BIPOC communities have historically suffered the longest outages during major grid disruptions.
For electric cooperatives, collaboration with community organizations can help expand access to solar and storage technologies while addressing energy affordability and resilience needs. This report outlines practical strategies for partnerships between utilities and community groups to deploy commercial solar and solar + storage projects that benefit underserved communities.
Key Takeaways
| › | Solar and solar + storage projects can reduce energy bills and improve resilience for underserved communities. |
| › | Partnerships between utilities and community organizations can accelerate deployment of renewable energy programs. |
| › | Community input can improve the design of utility programs and ensure they address local priorities. |
| › | Solar + storage microgrids can serve as resilience hubs for essential services during outages. |
Implementation Considerations
- Cost or Funding Requirements: Financing structures and incentives may be necessary to support projects in underserved communities.
- Staffing or Technology Requirements: Navigating community engagement, gap analysis, and utility coordination requires dedicated staff capacity. Smaller co-ops may need a trusted partner organization to lead this work.
Notable Examples
- Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC): Partnered with Georgia Power Company to develop solar + storage resilience hubs at four HBCUs in Atlanta.
- Lake Street Council (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN): Built a trusted-messenger network to connect BIPOC-owned businesses with Xcel Energy solar incentive programs.
- Salt Lake City Department of Sustainability: Identified gaps in commercial battery incentive uptake in BIPOC neighborhoods and worked with the utility to redesign the program.
View Full Document Requires name and email to access
Estimated reading time: 30+ minutes
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