There are examples of disadvantaged communities, with residents who cannot afford to participate in conventional community solar subscription programs, that are monetizing the commodity output of DERs through guaranteed off-takers (utilities or local corporations) and distributing the proceeds through established energy assistance providers. Because “ownership” of shared resources is virtual, the symbolism can be extended to combine small, visible assets (like solar bus stop shelters or parking canopies) with more productive, large-scale solar or wind farms that could be sited in remote locations.
See actual projects in the Resources Section