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Friday, August 9, 2019

Community solar is here

How YOU can play your part in the switch to renewable energy
By Aaron Regunberg

Image result for arcadia power hopkinton arrayJuly was the hottest month ever recorded in human history. It was 90 degrees in parts of the Arctic Circle this week. This is not a drill.

Climate change threatens us all, and requires action - political action and personal action - from every single one of us.

One individual action we can take is to switch to renewable energy. 

But this hasn't been possible for many who rent, can't afford the initial investment, or don't have the right roof for solar.

I spent years in the state legislature fighting National Grid to make "community solar" available in Rhode Island.

Community solar programs allow you to tap into renewable energy generated in another part of the state, so you can share in the economic and environmental benefits of solar without having to install anything on your property or change your utility.

In 2016 and 2017 my legislation passed, and I'm really excited to share that there is now an active community solar program called Arcadia Power that allows Rhode Islanders to connect to a new solar installation built on a former industrial gravel bank in West Greenwich.


Arcadia Power is the first company that's utilizing the community solar model I designed and passed during my time as a legislator, and I hope that other companies follow.

You can check out this new opportunity to enroll in community solar here, and you can also learn about other Rhode Island renewable energy programs and resources here.

And of course, the most important action we can take is to continue to push our elected officials to invest in real climate solutions. So let's keep up the fight.

Hope you're staying cool in the summer heat.