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Community Resilience

Resilience is the ability of people, communities and systems to manage shocks and stressors and build stronger more prosperous communities. Community Resilience is comprised of three dimensions: Economic Resilience, Social Resilience, and Environmental Resilience.  Power52 is committed to using clean energy for job creation in low-income communities.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have begun resource distribution events where we supply the local community with food, school supplies, emergency kits, etc. Power52 has hosted  contactless Pull up and Pick Up Food and Supplies giveaways servicing over 3000 Maryland families in an effort to bolster our mission.

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Installing solar + storage on community centers provides clean energy and backup power. The community centers then become resilient community hubs that will serve residents during power outages, natural disasters, and other emergencies.

Power52  graduates were contracted in 2017 to install solar panels on Living Classrooms’ three community centers in East Baltimore, turning them into the nation’s first urban community-based resiliency hubs through a partnership with the Baltimore City Office of Sustainability. The first of the three resiliency centers was installed in February 2018.

In spring 2018, graduates of Power52 Energy Institute’s Energy Professional Training Program will install solar panels and battery storage on the UA House at Fayette operated by Living Classrooms.  The graduates will also be performing the ongoing operation and maintenance of the systems.

Community Solar

WHAT IS COMMUNITY SOLAR?

Community solar can refer to both “community-owned” projects as well as third party-owned plants whose electricity is shared by 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 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. Participating in a community solar program also eliminates maintenance costs and concerns that can be a hassle for those who own and maintain their own residential solar system.

FAQ

HOW DO I GET A SOLAR ARRAY?

Solar Arrays or Solar Farms, are fields of solar panels that will be placed within the community on a vacant lot or field, and connected to the local energy grid. Solar farms built in sunny areas, with panels properly positioned will maximize the amount of sun received.

WHO CAN BENEFIT?

Virtually anyone can participate in community solar, provided the property consuming the energy is located in the same part of the electric grid (load zone) as the community solar array.

SO HOW DO I PAY FOR MY ELECTRICITY?

Your power bill will continue to come from your local utility company as usual. Your bill will reflect your community solar subscription credit.

HOW DO I GET THE COMMUNITY SOLAR CREDIT?

The community solar model is easy as one, two, three……

  1. Power52 builds a solar array.
  2. You purchase a subscription that provides a savings credit. (You can participate at various levels, to either fully offset your electric usage or simply reduce your monthly bills.)
  3. The Savings credit is applied towards the cost of your current power bill. The benefit of community solar is that you purchase a dollar credit at a discounted rate. For example, you would pay for electricity generated by the community solar project at a discounted rate of $0.70 for $0.80 to $1.00 worth of energy – ultimately saving 20-30% off your electric bill. Think of it like a Groupon for solar – where you might pay $10 for a $15 gift certificate.

Maryland Utility Facilitators

National Utility Facilitators

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