CASE STUDY: DC Sun
DC Sun is a network of solar coops. The nonprofit organizes new groups of neighbors to buy solar panels together, lowering individual cost by buying wholesale, and advocates for legislation that protects and encourages individuals’ ability to buy into solar infrastructure. DC Sun fosters a community of invested constituents to rally toward these ends.
This case-study is on the periphery of citizen-science, but it raises highly relevant examples for us, including resident cooperation; clearly articulated financial incentives; concerted mobilization toward policy; and visualization of some independent benefits — all toward a large-scale effort to reduce emissions.
In this project, DC Sun organizers engage citizens — sometimes invited, sometimes unsolicited — advocating for wealth-building through solar (the panels increase home value and decrease electricity and some heating bills). The organization establishes a connection between consumers and producers, and facilitates the installation of the panels. Meanwhile, they teach new members about local and federal policy that may affect their and others’ ability to benefit from individual solar.
Interestingly, most solar installations include software that measures the productivity of the panels and an owner’s contribution to the grid. This interface can be client-facing, allowing real-time visualizations of electricity produced and money saved. This is generally a long-term engagement as panels take a few years to pay for themselves, but new and old members alike are constantly mobilized to protect individuals’ rights to own and operate panels. Almost by definition, this is a project about scale — it only works when a minimum number of residents buy-in, and it works even better the more who do.
TOP-DOWN / BOTTOM-UP — This organization fluxuates between top-down (large organization mobilizing panel owners), middle-top-down (panel owners building capacity by leaning on the organization) and sort of bottom-up (panel owners putting pressure on elected officials).
PRESSURES — National efforts to reduce carbon emissions have enabled this project — solar subsidies have proliferated, production technology has improved and panels have become more efficient. Increasing demand pushed the cost of production down and increased the appeal to manufacturers. Wholesale prices and political support remain the point of focus for the organization and its members. Traditional energy producers are a growing obstacle, however, as they lose customers but are still compelled to support an integrated electrical grid (solar panels still use this infrastructure).
DATA/DECISIONMAKING — People are passive participants in collecting data. Each person can see how much power she generates and how much money she saves, but not a collective picture. In fact, I don’t think DC Sun can see this information either. Having a visualization in monetary terms amplifies citizens’ personal investment and makes it more likely they will join mobilizations to protect solar legislation.
