Become a Rooftop Host
A rooftop host often has a large area available for installing solar, on either a rooftop or another large open space, and for various reasons wants to partner with a community solar organisation to install a community solar project.
Why become a rooftop host?
There are four main project models for agreements between a roof host and a community solar organisation. Depending on the model, benefits to the roof host may include:
- little or no upfront cost for solar
- cheaper power, and lower operating costs
- the ability to use power during the day – when it is generated – to make the most of the investment
- being part of the transition to renewable energy
- contributing to your community
How does it work?
The rooftop host works with the community solar organisation to agree on a project model. All models can be used regardless of whether the rooftop host is a tenant or owner of the site. The two parties enter into an agreement to cover the rights and responsibilities of each party over the life of the project – usually 5-10 years.
- Solar Equipment Lease: Under this model, the community solar organisation owns and maintains the solar power system. The host pays a nominal rental amount and may freely use the electricity generated. At the end of the project’s life, there may be an option for ownership of the panels to be transferred to the rooftop host.
- Power Purchase Agreement (where the rooftop host is a tenant of the site): The community solar organisation owns and maintains the solar power system. The tenant of the site agrees to purchase the power generated by the system. The community solar organisation enters into a lease with the site owner, and pays the owner for the lease of the rooftop space.
- Power Purchase Agreement (where the rooftop host is the owner of the site): Similar to the above model, the community solar organisation owns and maintains the solar power system. The rooftop host, who is the site owner, agrees to purchase the power generated by the system.
- Loan: The community solar organisation lends money to the rooftop host to purchase a solar power system. The rooftop host owns and maintains the system. Depending on the loan agreement, the rooftop host pays back the amount with or without interest.
Next steps
If you are a rooftop host looking to secure a community solar project on your site, visit the community solar organisations page to get in touch with a community solar organisation operating in your local area.
If there are no community solar organisations operating in your local area, get in touch with the Energy Foundation Australia to find out how you can connect with a community solar organisation that can help.
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