Climatize Facilitates Community Solar Projects in Minnesota and Illinois with Pre-Construction Financing - CleanTechnica

The article highlights the growing impact of community solar projects in the U.S., focusing on the role of Climatize, a crowdfunding platform that facilitates pre-construction financing for such projects in Minnesota and Illinois. Community solar allows renters and homeowners without solar panels to subscribe to nearby solar installations, benefiting from lower electricity bills and contributing to clean energy adoption. In 2024, community solar capacity in the U.S. grew by 35%, adding 1.7 GW. Climatize has partnered with Enterprise Energy, a community solar developer with 25 years of experience, to fund projects ranging in size from 6 to 30 soccer fields. These projects particularly target Low and Moderate Income (LMI) customers, who benefit from state programs designed to provide affordable, stable solar power and protect them from rising utility costs. Climatize’s financing addresses a critical gap in early-stage project funding, covering permitting and environmental diligence costs that are typically difficult to finance through traditional lenders. By securing financing at around