Homeowners face the same dilemma as renters: a split incentive. Renters don’t own the property so they don’t get the financial benefit of installing solar panels. Additionally, most renters won't live in their rental property long enough for solar panels to be of any benefit. This split incentive issue is a huge obstacle for renters to get solar.
Community solar
Many renters don’t have the roof space to put a solar panel on their roof. This is why they can get involved in community solar projects. These programs are a great option for renters looking to lower their utility bills as well as help the planet. The popularity of community solar is growing and is being offered in more places.
A community solar project is usually a partnership between a utility and a third party. A sponsor purchases solar panel from a third party. Subscribers participate in a lease or power buy agreement. The subscribers pay a monthly lease fee to sponsor and get credits on their utility bill.
Portable solar panels
Set up a portable, solar panel if you are renting an apartment, condo, room or other space. These panels can also be mounted on a rooftop or window to provide power to many devices. The panels typically produce about 0.3 to 1.5 kWh of electricity per day, which is more than enough to power a few small appliances. A number of portable solar panels come with battery storage, which allows you to use the power whenever and wherever you need it.
For residential solar panels to be used on roofs, portable panels are more efficient than those for rent. Rooftop solar panels are more efficient and can be used to power larger systems. There are many portable solar panels available for rent, and Renogy has a selection of kits for homeowners.
Feed-in tariffs
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is offering renters feed-in tariffs. Customers complained that net-metering was not a good program and resulted in poor service. Officials are planning to expand the program beyond its current 30-50 participants. California will see the creation of thousands more jobs through this program.
Feed-in tariffs are designed to promote renewable energy production by paying producers at a higher price than the market. These programs are popular in many countries, including Germany. They also provide renters with a guaranteed source of energy and a long-term contract.
Permitting
Permitting solar for renters involves certain considerations. First, make sure that the property is approved for solar panels. This is done through the Department of Planning and Zoning. The next step is to determine which type of permits review process your permit application requires. You must also be aware of the provisions of the local building code.
Costs
It is possible to save money by renting your home with solar panels. You can lease a solar panel system but it will cost you more than if you bought it. Additionally, you will not be eligible for incentives offered by the government or local governments. There are many leases with escalator clauses, which can reduce the savings that you make. If your solar panel costs you 12 cents per Kilowatt-hour, in 10 years, it will cost you 18.2 cents.
There are several options available to renters to offset the expense of solar. There are many solar leasing options, including rent increases and solar-feed-in tariff credits. The size of your solar project as well as the land value will determine the amount of rent increase.