LA’s first ‘community solar’ project of its kind is online. What it means for clean energy
LAist
On the roofs of two unassuming Extra Space storage buildings in Pico Rivera, an array of solar panels is helping nearby families save money on their bills, while also providing a model for the future of “community solar” in urban areas across the state.
The project was built by solar developer Pivot Energy, which leases the roof space from Extra Space storage. They then sell the power that’s generated — about 600 kilowatts — to the Clean Power Alliance, which provides energy to 38 communities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. It’s one of the largest clean energy providers in the state. The Clean Power Alliance ships the electricity to consumers via Southern California Edison lines.
The project is the first of its kind to go online as part of the Clean Power Alliance’s portfolio — and there are 12 similar projects in the pipeline, said Ted Bardacke, chief executive of the Clean Power Alliance. Those projects will provide bill discounts for low-income households in Carson, Commerce and Hawthorne. “They’re basically selling us all of the power and therefore generating additional revenue from their own rooftop,” Bardacke said
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