Team Members: Elliot Vickers, Zach Luedtke, Gabe Griffin, Madi Cleary, Tyler Cobb, Yvonne Lewsley, Anna Browne
In communities across the United States, people are seeking alternatives to conventional energy sources. Whether they aim to increase energy independence, invest against rising fuel costs, cut carbon emissions, or provide local jobs, they are looking to community-scale renewable energy projects for solutions. Advances in solar technology, an increase in federal and state tax incentives, and new financing models have made solar projects including community solar projects, more financially feasible.
This project is about providing an opportunity to invest in clean and efficient energy production for the Village of L’Anse, Michigan. By introducing this project, we also hope to educate this community, as well as other communities in the area, on how to reduce energy consumption, save money, and reduce their carbon impact. The solar project is a way for the Village of L’Anse to control their electric utility costs while helping to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and energy companies.
With an increasing demand for cleaner energy production methods, comes a need to provide “green” energy options where they may not be possible. Solar energy arrays are large and become controversial when installed in plain sight within a community. The primary purpose of community solar is to allow members of a community the opportunity to share the benefits of solar power even if they cannot or prefer not to install solar panels on their own property. Project participants benefit from the electricity generated by the community solar farm, which costs less than the price they would ordinarily pay to their utility. Upon completion this project can serve as a model for other communities to invest in solar energy.