What is the Difference Between FTM, BTM, and Community Solar?

Pros and Cons of 3 Solar Configurations

Installing renewable energy systems gives  your facilities a competitive advantage for attracting high-value tenants and reducing electricity costs.

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There are three common solar configurations: - Behind-the-Meter - Front-of-the-Meter - Community Solar What are the pros and cons of each?

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A Front-of-the-Meter System, or FTM system, is a configuration where energy is produced on-site but is credited as being used elsewhere.

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Example:  A property owner leases out a plot of land or rooftop space where a distributed energy company installs and maintains solar panels.

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Pros of FTM Systems: All of the energy produced onsite will be sold to a utility company. In turn, the owner receives a site lease payment.

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Cons of FTM Systems: Sold electricity cannot benefit the owner directly. The host site cannot offset its utility bill or generate renewable energy credits.

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A Behind-the-Meter System, or BTM system, describes a configuration where energy is produced and consumed on-site.

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Example:  A property owner partners with a distributed energy company that finances, installs, and maintains rooftop solar energy panels on their commercial property.

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Pros of BTM Systems: BTM systems offer a predictable revenue stream and a reliable, clean energy source. Energy credits can be purchased to meet ESG goals.

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Cons of BTM Systems: Multi-tenant properties may have difficulty implementing this system unless there is a master meter on the property.

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Community Solar systems, or CS systems, are solar configurations that are credited to multiple users in a specific utility area via a subscription model.

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Example:  CS systems are installed on a single property. The owner of the land, or the anchor subscriber, can take advantage of up to 40% of the system’s annual energy production.

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Pros of Community Solar: Customers in the same electric utility service area can subscribe and access the benefits of clean electricity produced by the solar panels.

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Cons of Community Solar: Community solar can only benefit areas where multiple users opt in. The benefits depend on participation.

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We develop, build, finance, own, and operate renewable energy assets on real estate, acting as long-term tenants on properties. You gain all the benefits of solar across a portfolio of properties without costly capital expenditures.

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