なぜエネルギー協同組合の太陽光発電への投資は、補助金を考慮した家庭用太陽光発電設備よりも収益性が高い可能性があるのでしょうか？

Here are a few arguments that may support the validity of the thesis presented in the question: 1. In larger installations, the cost of purchase and installation per kilowatt of power is lower than in the case of small, domestic installations. A shared large installation can be much cheaper than individual photovoltaics. 2. Electricity produced by energy cooperatives (in installations up to 1 MW) is exempt from excise duty, renewable energy fee, cogeneration fee, or power fee. As a result, it is much cheaper than electricity purchased from the grid. Members of energy cooperatives can expect cheaper electricity because, as members, they benefit from various financial incentives provided for this form of energy production from renewable sources. 3. Energy cooperatives have been allowed to use the so-called net metering, a more advantageous settlement system with the grid operator. This is a settlement system that (until the end of March 2022) could also be used by photovoltaic installations built by owners of single-family houses. 4. In the case of individual installations, the owner is directly responsible for monitoring its current state, its maintenance, or any repairs. In an energy cooperative, its members do not have to personally engage in these activities. Why then is this form of energy transformation not as widely spread in Poland as in Germany or Denmark? I believe that concerns or aversion to the cooperative form of sharing benefits and responsibilities arise both from the inherent individualism of Poles (our inclination towards individual entrepreneurship, which is a positive trait) and may be a consequence of often observed and widely publicized pathologies (often resulting from post-communist events) associated with the functioning of housing cooperatives.

Investing in photovoltaics as part of an energy cooperative can be more profitable than a home photovoltaic installation, taking into account financing for several reasons: 1. Scale of the project: An energy cooperative can carry out a larger photovoltaic project that includes installations on a greater number of buildings. This allows for the use of economies of scale, leading to lower costs of purchasing and installing photovoltaic panels and other equipment. 2. Spatial efficiency: Home photovoltaic installations often have spatial limitations, such as small roofs or limited available space for panel installation. An energy cooperative can locate panels on a larger surface, such as roofs of larger residential community buildings or adjacent areas. A larger number of panels means greater electricity production, resulting in greater savings. 3. Distribution and management: An energy cooperative can benefit from more advanced technologies and tools for monitoring, managing, and distributing electricity. This enables optimal use of the energy produced by photovoltaic panels within the cooperative. The ability to sell surplus energy to the grid can also generate additional income. 4. Maintenance and service costs: In the case of an energy cooperative, maintenance and service costs of the photovoltaic system can be spread across a larger number of users. Collaborative operation and maintenance of the system can be more efficient and cost-effective than individual management of home photovoltaic systems by owners. 5. Access to financing: An energy cooperative may have better chances of obtaining favorable financing conditions, such as lower interest rates on loans or access to grants and support programs. This can contribute to reducing the costs of investing in photovoltaics. Of course, the profitability of investing in photovoltaics as part of an energy cooperative will depend on various factors, such as the costs of purchase and installation, electricity prices, availability of financing, and local energy regulations. Before making an investment decision, it is always worthwhile to conduct a cost and benefit analysis, taking into account individual conditions and needs.

This makes sense, but under certain assumptions. These assumptions include obtaining cheap land for the installation (either through own contribution or cheap lease). In such case, building directly on the ground instead of the roof - can be much cheaper, faster, and more easily scalable. It is also easier to maintain.

Interesting - what does it look like in practice? Are there any successful cases of implementing this and situations where cooperative members have signed a contract with the cooperative and have lower bills?

Investing in photovoltaics within an energy cooperative can be more profitable than a home photovoltaic installation with the consideration of subsidies for several reasons. Firstly, by building a larger photovoltaic installation as an energy cooperative, a group of individuals can benefit from economies of scale. As a result, investment costs can be significantly lower compared to an individual installation, and the cooperative members can benefit from a higher installed capacity. Secondly, investing in an energy cooperative allows for the sharing of construction and maintenance costs, which can greatly reduce individual costs for its members. This is particularly advantageous for individuals who do not have sufficient financial resources for the construction and maintenance of their own photovoltaic installation. Thirdly, an energy cooperative can take advantage of various funding programs that may not be accessible to individual investors. Local authorities, entrepreneurs, and other institutions often offer subsidies to residential blocks, communities, and energy cooperatives. Lastly, an energy cooperative can benefit from using various sources of energy, which can increase the profitability of the investment. This may include utilizing other renewable energy sources such as wind energy or biogas to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of the energy grid. In summary, investing in photovoltaics within an energy cooperative can be more profitable than a home photovoltaic installation due to economies of scale, cost-sharing opportunities, access to subsidies, and the ability to utilize various energy sources.