Community Solar Garden Initiative

Community Power Collaborative is a collaborative organization dedicated to bringing solar energy to green spaces such as urban gardens and farmland. Our primary focus is on supporting urban gardens holistically, and we have developed a plan to install small solar microgrids in these spaces. This proposal outlines our approach, including supporting governance and technical assistance, grant writing, and the implementation of a community solar portfolio featuring 100 Micro Solar Grids across Los Angeles over the next three years. 

Our main objective is to promote renewable energy generation in urban gardens and farmland by installing small solar microgrids. This initiative aims to provide sustainable energy solutions while also enhancing the aesthetic appeal of these spaces through the use of unique solar systems like the Solar Trees. 

Solar Trees are innovative and dual-purpose structures that combine renewable energy generation with aesthetic appeal. These unique creations resemble trees, with a central trunk and branches that hold solar panels instead of leaves. We will offer a wide variety of solar tree designs to choose from.

Although traditional solar panels may provide a higher cost-to-savings ratio, solar trees bring an artistic touch to energy generation. One standout design is the Smartflower, which features solar panels that resemble blooming petals.

1. Supporting Governance and Technical Assistance:

We will provide governance and technical support to our partner urban gardens, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge and resources to successfully implement solar microgrids. This assistance will include guidance on project management, system design, and maintenance.

2. Grant Writing and Fundraising:

To secure the necessary funding for the solar projects, we will assist our partner gardens in grant writing and fundraising efforts. We will explore opportunities such as the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Community Power Accelerator, Justice 40 accelerator, and USDA REAP grant, as well as other similar funding sources that align with our mission.

3. Community Solar Portfolio:
Our plan includes the creation of a community solar portfolio featuring solar trees placed strategically across Los Angeles. Our community solar portfolio aligns with the DOE's goal to have their certified solar developers install 1MW of renewable energy in the next three years.

4. Community Engagement:
To engage the community and raise awareness about our solar garden initiative, we will host the Solar Punk Festival in the urban gardens. This event will serve multiple purposes, including showcasing the work being done on the land, promoting STEM education, and highlighting the potential for green jobs. The festival will provide an opportunity for community members to learn about renewable energy, participate in interactive workshops, and enjoy entertainment and food.

The three main areas the event will cover include

A community power collaborative table where community surveys and Participatory Funding will take place. At the event, we will host a table where community members can provide their thoughts and opinions on the solar garden project. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to participate in participatory funding by voting for projects that they believe will have the greatest impact within the community.

Showcasing the Soalr Garden: The event will provide community members with the chance to visit the solar garden and experience the benefits of green spaces firsthand. This will help them better understand the relationship between solar and renewable energy and its role in addressing climate change.

A table to enroll community members into the garden’s Community Support Agriculture (CSA) program through the collaborative’s app “What's for Dinner APP” . We will have a booth promoting our new app that we are developing called "What's for Dinner APP," which is designed to help the community find and source local, healthy food. This app, primarily focused on families, aims to address food waste and encourage the preparation of nutritious meals.

Features of the "What's for Dinner" App:

1. Real-Time Meal Suggestions: The app will utilize an algorithm that searches through the user's refrigerator and pantry, cross-referencing the available ingredients with our open-sourced recipe book. It will then provide healthy meal suggestions that can be cooked immediately.

2. Food Inventory Management: The app will help users keep track of their food inventory, ensuring that they are aware of what ingredients they have on hand and reducing the likelihood of food waste.

3. Community Connection: By joining the garden's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, community members can stay connected with us through the app. They will receive updates on the solar garden project, upcoming events, and other community initiatives.

To further enhance accessibility, we will host pop-up farmers markets at the urban garden and local community centers. This will provide a convenient way for community members to access fresh produce directly from the source. These pop-up markets will also be opportunities for CSA program members to engage with us and for us to get additional community members signed up for the program. 

In order to optimize the delivery process, we plan to raise additional funds to acquire EV cart vehicles specifically designed for the urban gardens. These electric vehicles will enable us to transport food efficiently and sustainably to homeowners within a 1 to 5-mile radius around the gardens.

Our commitment to the community extends beyond food production. The community solar garden initiative aligns with the Department of Energy's Goals, the Inflation Reductions Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal. These initiatives offer new funding opportunities, with a focus on directing 40% of the funding towards BIPOC communities. By participating in this initiative, we can contribute to the federal government's Justice 40 initiative, ensuring equitable access to clean energy and economic opportunities.

Furthermore, we are excited to share that urban farms are now eligible for USDA funding. This update from the USDA opens up additional avenues for financial support for urban gardens, allowing us to expand our operations and impact to even more communities. Through our community solar garden initiative, we aim to create a sustainable and inclusive food system that empowers communities, reduces food waste, and promotes clean energy. 

The Community Power Collaborative is a dynamic team of BIPOC community leaders dedicated to bringing funding and energy to urban communities and BIPOC farmland. Led by Derreck Chapman, a serial entrepreneur, and Department of Energy certified Community Solar Developer, our collaborative aims to address the significant gap in infrastructure and access within the communities we love. We have established strong partnerships with organizations such as Key Tech Labs, Black Food Sovereignty Coalition, and Modest Family Solutions to execute our community solar garden initiative.

The Community Power Collaborative's community solar garden initiative a will be a groundbreaking project that will bring renewable energy and community engagement to Watts, California and other areas through the Pacific North West. Through our strategic partnerships, the utilization of the IRA, The Bipartition Infrastructure Deal,  USDA’s REAP grant, and our Solar Punk Festival, we are confident in our ability to create a sustainable and impactful project that will benefit the community and kick-start this community solar garden initiative.

Through our community solar garden initiative, we aim to engage and empower the community in the transition to renewable energy. By gathering their input, showcasing the benefits of green spaces, and introducing the "What's for Dinner" app, we hope to create a sustainable and connected community that actively participates in building a greener future.