Why All Types of Businesses Are Choosing Community Solar

One of the major benefits of community solar is the ability to tap into solar savings without needing to fund upfront costs or install a system onsite.

While community solar is sometimes discussed with homeowners in mind, more businesses are paying attention to it as a simplified energy partnership with minimal operational disruption, meaningful savings potential, and a lower barrier to entry than many traditional clean energy options.

Below are several examples of different business types pursuing community solar and why the structure can make sense for each.

Mini Case Studies

Starbucks — Large Multi-Site Corporations

Large corporations with dozens or hundreds of facilities often assume supporting local renewable energy means installing systems at each site.

While possible, that approach comes with site-specific challenges and potential upfront costs. Community solar offers a simpler path by focusing on electricity usage rather than onsite installation, which allows multiple locations to be covered through a single, low-barrier transaction.

This approach also enables companies like Starbucks to demonstrate meaningful community impact by playing a pivotal role in delivering energy savings to local residents.

Rivian — Manufacturing & Industrial Facilities

Onsite solar can be a good option for factories with large rooftops or open land, but its value depends on the site’s operations.

For 24/7 facilities, the system may not be large enough to fully offset energy use. Community solar, on the other hand, is sized to a subscriber’s energy needs rather than site constraints.

That can allow for greater savings and, as seen with Rivian, stronger environmental benefits.

OSF Healthcare — Nonprofits & Institutions

Nonprofits are diligently focused on advancing their core mission, but they still face rising electricity costs like for-profit organizations.

While some may have the expertise to pursue complex energy transactions, limited bandwidth often makes this difficult.

Community solar provides a simpler solution, allowing nonprofits, including hospital networks, to access clean energy and cost savings without navigating the complexity of alternatives like onsite solar or virtual power purchase agreements.

All Star Management — Franchisees & Small Businesses

Community solar partnerships are not just available to large corporations. They can also work for businesses with a more local footprint.

As #173 on Franchise Times Top 200, All Star Management took steps on its own to reduce operating costs and boost its bottom line.

Community solar as a savings solution can scale to meet demand, whether that means 100 stores or just one. It limits the need to install panels onsite, which can be particularly valuable for businesses that rent their facilities, and it avoids the need to raise upfront capital.

What This Means for Your Business

Community solar is not limited to one type of business.

Large corporations, manufacturers, nonprofits, franchise operators, and small businesses can all benefit when the program structure, utility territory, and subscription size are a good fit.

Turquoise Trail helps businesses evaluate whether community solar could make sense for their facilities and identify the story it can create for their organization.