Aaron Halimi, President of Renewable Properties, discusses community solar and its advantages and challenges. Topics include: how community solar differs from other projects, new California regulations and the Inflation Reduction Act, financing pros and cons, spreading community solar to disadvantaged communities with incentives, and challenges and potential for streamlining the permitting process.
Community solar projects provide access to solar energy for those unable to install solar panels.
The growth of community solar in the US is driven by incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act.
Deep dives
Overview of Renewable Properties and Community Solar
In this podcast episode, Todd Alexander interviews Aaron Halini, the founder and president of Renewable Properties, a company specializing in small-scale utility and community solar projects. Halini discusses his background in solar project development and the mission of Renewable Properties. He explains that community solar projects are designed to provide access to solar energy for those who may not have the ability to install solar panels, such as renters or small business owners. These projects are located closer to load centers and offer subscriptions to residents and businesses, providing them with solar energy at a discounted rate.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Community Solar
Halini discusses the advantages of financing and operating community solar projects. He highlights the liquidity of community solar programs, which allow for quick and easy replacement of subscribers if they choose to leave. Additionally, community solar projects have shorter development timelines and can offer favorable financing terms. On the other hand, Halini acknowledges the challenges of keeping community solar projects fully subscribed. However, he explains that third-party subscription management companies handle acquisition and retention, and subscriber churn tends to normalize over time.
The Prospects of Community Solar
Looking into the future, Halini expresses strong optimism for the growth of community solar in the United States. He believes that the demand for community solar is high, with various stakeholders and individuals expressing interest in subscribing to these projects. Halini cites the incentives provided by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), including locational incentives and low-income community adders, as driving demand for community solar. He predicts that community solar will continue to expand its presence across states, potentially becoming available in all 50 states in the long term.
Aaron Halimi, President of Renewable Properties, speaks with Todd Alexander on a range of topics concerning community solar. Aaron gives an overview of how community solardiffers from other types of solar projects, the advantages and challenges it faces, how it will be affected by new California regulations and the Inflation Reduction Act, and more.
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