BCW’s Green Business Partnership Explores Business Opportunities Through Community Solar

The BCW’s Green Business Partnership recently hosted a Leaders in Sustainability Speaker Series, welcoming three guests to talk about “community solar,” a groundbreaking opportunity to advance renewable energy on a large scale by allowing everyone to utilize solar as a primary energy source even if you can’t put panels on your own roof.

Community solar allows community members to lease space on someone else’s roof and receive the corresponding discounts and tax benefits. Commercial and residential property owners who host the solar array benefit from a smart and rewarding investment.

Three panelists shared their expertise with the audience:

From Nina Orville, Principal at Abundant Efficiency, we learned about the impressive growth of solar in our state and region, and about various organizations in our area, like Sustainable Westchester and Solarize Westchester, working to implement these programs. She also gave an overview of community solar that highlighted the benefits to the host and community.

Doug Hertz, President of Sunrise Solar Solutions, gave us a deep understanding of how community solar works for business, including tax credits, accelerated depreciation and incentives. The bottom line – “Your roof is an asset. Now you can better monetize it!”

Gary Flaum walked us through his experience having a community solar farm built on the roof of his business, Montrose-based Quality Circle Products. It’s profitable!

To learn more about the Green Business Partnership, visit www.greenbusinesspartnership.org.