What makes an energy community financially sustainable? The answer is not only in numbers.
At a StartSun conference panel discussion, Inka Leppänen from Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Johanna Liljenfeldt from Uppsala University, and Nele Ivask and Marten Saareoks from Tartu Regional Energy Agency discussed how communities can make sound investment decisions while still keeping sight of the wider value they want to create.
The discussion showed that energy communities do not need to start with a perfect business model or a large investment. They can begin with a clear local need, test cooperation, use available expertise and funding, and grow step by step as confidence and experience increase.
As part of the StartSun – Start-ups for Solar Energy Communities – project some interesting results are released and now available for public. One of them is the article A strong energy community starts with a real need and grows step by step. You can continue reading the article at BSR StartSun interreg-website here.
StartSun – Start-ups for Solar Energy Communities is co-funded by the European Unionin Interreg Baltic Sea Region-program.
Partners: County Administrative Board of Östergötland LP (SE) Lead Partner, Society ”Zemgale Regional Energy Agency” (ZREA) (LV), Estonian University of Life Sciences (EE), Uppsala University (SE), Green Net Finland (FIN), Society ”Green Liberty” (LV), Tartu Regional Energy Agency (EE), Åtvidaberg municipality (SE), Jelgava City municipal institution ”Central Administration” (LV), Jekabpils County Council (LV), University of Tartu (EE), Co-operative Seto Aiad (EE), Kalevipoja Koda Foundation (EE)
Project duration: 11/2023 – 10/2026