With the popularity and wider availability of solar power infrastructure, the concept of community solar has also taken shape. This setup entails a solar farm financed and benefited from by several stakeholders. If you are confused and can’t decide between rooftop solar vs. community solar, this blog post is for you.
We will take a quick comparative look at both these systems in this Rooftop Solar vs. Community Solar debate and help you come up with the best decision for your household needs.
Rooftop Solar
Great for Homeowners with Good Credit & Tax Appetite
Rooftop solar setup is undoubtedly a better option than community solar for those who own their own home and have decent credit. People boasting over a 650 credit score can easily secure good solar deals.
Offers Huge Tax Benefits
Another big advantage of opting for a rooftop solar system is it allows you to leverage huge tax benefits. As things stand today, homeowners can enjoy great tax relief on rooftop solar installations through 2021. This tax benefit also improves the savings column for rooftop systems. If community solar saves you, say, $100 a year, rooftop installation can save you over $1,000.
Improves Real Estate Value
Community solar doesn’t improve your real estate value. In contrast, a rooftop solar installation boosts the value of a property for good.
No Environmental Impact
Community solar only becomes possible through the establishment of large solar farms that can sometimes have some negative implications for the environment, though the production of clean energy should offset these. Rooftop installation, on the other hand, is installed and then operates with no environmental consequences.
A Long-Term Solution
You are not dependent on time-bound contracts with rooftop solar installation. A good solar module with reliable installation can provide you with sustainable, clean, green energy for decades.
Community Solar
No Need to Own a Property
The first and foremost benefit of community solar is you don’t need to own a property to benefit from it. You can use clean energy despite living in a shared building and without having your roof.
No High Upfront Cost
Since community solar programs are about memberships, you are not responsible for any upfront costs, though there are options for this through lease and loan programs for rooftop solar as well.
Quick Installation
Since you get to use solar power from existing infrastructure, the individual installations are carried out in a very short time.
Rooftop Solar vs. Community Solar: The Final Verdict
Both rooftop and community solar have their own benefits and downsides. However, if we make it a Rooftop Solar vs. Community Solar debate, then the former has a clear edge over the latter. Rooftop solar involves a better scope of savings, a long-term clean energy solution, and tangible value addition to your property.
If the above comparative discussion has convinced you to opt for rooftop installation for your New York property, get in touch with experts at New York State Solar Farm.
We offer a free consultation to property owners on choosing cost-friendly and efficient solar modules for their properties. Our experts also ensure professional solar installations from scratch with a quick turnaround.