Solar energy is no longer just for those who install panels on their rooftops. Today, thanks to solar energy communities, anyone—whether individuals, businesses, or institutions—can benefit from renewable electricity in a collective, shared, and much more accessible way. This collaborative model is transforming the way we produce and consume energy, reducing our dependence on large utility companies and bringing sustainability closer to neighborhoods, towns, and cities.
In this article, we explain what solar energy communities are, how they work, the benefits they offer, and how you can become part of one—whether by joining an existing project or by starting your own from scratch.
Solar Energy Communities: What They Are
Solar energy communities are groups of individuals, public entities, or private organizations that come together to collectively generate, consume, and manage renewable energy, mainly solar power. Unlike individual self-consumption, this model allows multiple people to benefit from a single solar installation located in a shared area.
This collaborative approach makes solar power accessible to everyone, even those without a rooftop for panels.
Solar Energy Communities: How They Work
These communities are based on three fundamental pillars:
- Generation: Solar panels are set up on rooftops or shared spaces, and the electricity produced is distributed among community members.
- Distribution: The solar power produced is distributed to all participating users, as long as they are located within the authorized area.
- Shared Consumption: Every member gets a portion of the solar power based on their share or usage agreement.
Maximum Distance to Join a Solar Energy Community
Spanish regulations (Royal Decree 244/2019, later amended by Royal Decree 1183/2020) establish that generation and consumption points in a solar energy community must comply with specific technical and distance requirements to share the electricity generated.
The legislation specifies that:
- Both the generation system and the users’ connection points must be linked to the low-voltage network.
- Both must be located within a maximum distance of 2,000 meters (2 kilometers) from each other.
- In addition, they must be identified within the same transformer substation or in transformers connected to the same sectioning center.
This 2-kilometer limit allows users located near the photovoltaic installation—such as neighbors, shops, or small businesses—to benefit from the electricity generated without needing solar panels on their own rooftops.
Thanks to this measure, the solar energy community model becomes more flexible and inclusive, making renewable energy accessible in both urban and rural areas without the need for individual installations in each home.
Types of Solar Energy Communities
Solar communities can adapt to different contexts. Here are some examples:
- Residential: Neighborhoods or homeowner associations that share a common installation.
- Commercial: Companies that collaborate to install solar panels on warehouses or industrial buildings.
- Institutional: City councils or schools that provide their rooftops so nearby residents can access the energy generated.
- Rural: Landowners who join together to develop larger-scale solar installations.
Benefits of Solar Energy Communities
Access to green energy without the need to install panels
One of the main advantages of solar energy communities is that you can consume solar power without having to install a system in your own home or business.
Savings on your electricity bill
The energy generated within the solar community is consumed directly, significantly reducing monthly electricity expenses. In addition, the installation cost is shared among all participants, making it easier to recover the investment.
Boost to the local economy
These communities encourage local employment, stimulate the economy, and promote the creation of neighborhood networks committed to their environment.
Energy independence
By relying less on large utility companies, members gain greater control over energy prices and increased resilience against tariff hikes or energy crises.
Contribution to the environment
Each kilowatt of solar energy produced prevents CO₂ emissions and reduces the carbon footprint. An energy community is a direct way to fight climate change.
What Is the Difference Between Collective Self-Consumption, Community Solar, and an Energy Community?
Although they are sometimes used as synonyms, these three models have important differences. Below is a simple comparison to help you understand what makes each one unique:
| Aspect | Collective Self-Consumption | Community Solar | Energy Community |
| Who Can Participate? | Only those who are co-owners of the installation | People who “subscribe to” or purchase energy from an existing installation | Any interested person, always on an open and voluntary basis |
| Who Has Control? | The co-owners themselves | The project’s promoting entity | All the members who are part of the community |
| What Is Its Purpose? | To reduce costs and provide environmental benefits | Mainly economic savings | Economic, Environmental, and Social |
| Does It Require a Legal Entity? | It is not necessary to establish any legal entity | It also does not require a specific legal form | Yes, it must have a recognized legal form (association, cooperative, etc.) |
| Typical Size | Small- or medium-sized installations | They are usually higher-capacity installations | It can be adapted according to the type of project and participants |
| Type of Energy | Exclusively renewable electricity | Electric power generated by solar panels | Renewable energy, both electrical and thermal, as well as efficiency measures |
How Can You Join a Community Solar Project?
Check for active projects in your area
Many solar energy communities are already operating. If you live or work within a 2-kilometer radius of an active installation, you can easily join and start benefiting from shared renewable energy.
Get in touch with a specialized company like ours
At Ubora, we guide you through the entire process so you can join an energy community without complications. We provide advice, handle all the paperwork, and connect you with nearby installations, adapting to your specific energy needs.
Create Your Own Energy Community
If there is no active community in your area, we can help you launch one from scratch. With the support of your local council, neighborhood associations, or local businesses, we guide you through every step—from the technical study and financing to legalization and system start-up.
In conclusion, solar energy communities are not only a real and sustainable alternative to the traditional energy model, but also a powerful tool to empower people, reduce electricity bills, protect the environment, and strengthen the social fabric of our neighborhoods and towns.
At Ubora, we strongly believe in the power of local collaboration and the democratization of energy. That’s why we work to ensure that more and more people can benefit from this model without having to make large investments or face technical and administrative barriers.
Whether you want to join an existing community or are considering creating one from scratch, our team will support you throughout the entire process—from the feasibility analysis to system launch and monitoring.
If you want to learn more about this topic, we invite you to watch the following video on our channel.
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