Columbia Water & Light proposes Community Solar Program

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Water and Light has proposed a Community Solar Program for the city.

The program would expand access to solar energy for Columbia residents who do not own property.

Those who choose to participate in the program would not have to install solar panels.

James Owen, of Renew, Missouri, said the energy would not go directly into the person's home.

"If you sign up for this, the city is going to make power that offsets what you would use so if you use a certain amount of power they are going to produce that amount of power," Owen said.

Owen listed some potential benefits to solar energy, with one being savings to your electric bill.

"Health option, I mean you're talking about the benefit of air, it's also good at reducing the cost of respiratory illnesses and other diseases, its just really ultimately makes for a safer, healthier and more cost effective way of making power," Owen said.

Customers can sign up for a subscription, which means one square on a panel in a solar field would belong to to the subscriber, according to the City.

The City estimates an extra 63 cents per month for a "standard customer" and the estimated benefit for income-eligible customers is $27 months, or 91 cents per month in the first year, according to slides provided by the City.

Monthly costs include two fees totaling $25: A solar subscription fee of $14.23 and a utility operations fee of $10.77.

Columbia Water & Light advisory board member Philip Fracica says the Community Solar Program is a way for residents to support clean energy.

"If you don't have the financial means or you don't own property and aren't able to do so it's a way for everyone to participate in taking some type climate action and benefiting from renewable energy even if you can't yourself." Fracica said.

In May 2021, the city expanded its renewable energy portfolio through a power purchase agreement to receive energy from the Truman Solar Facility.

If the program is approved, it would begin in January and would run through December 2044.

More than 600 Columbia residents would be able to participate in the program, Fracica said.

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