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mTCO2e. In other words, almost all of the current community electricity demand could conceivably be generated by photovoltaics based on solar access alone, which is equivalent to about 72% of the total community emissions, exceeding the 2025 climate action reduction goal. The Department of Energy has estimated that about 175k square meters of rooftop space is available in Carrboro, which is equivalent to about 34k MWh of potential annual generation, or a little more than 1/3 of the amount extrapolated above. 15 However, economic constraints will drive adoption of new solar capacity more than physical constraints, and it is probably overly optimistic to project that solar generation will approach what is hypothetically /physically possible by 2025 based on either total or rooftop area available. Achieving more on the order of 5 -10% renewable energy generation of total electricity use in Carrboro by 2025 may be more realistic. There are factors working towards an acceleration of adoption of solar electricity. Most notably, the rapid reduction in the cost of hardware has led to market forces being close to a "tipping point" at which solar electricity production could rapidly accelerate. However, there are other factors that will limit new solar uptake, such as the discontinuation of the state renewable energy tax credit, the state -level prohibition of Yd party sales of solar electricity, the scheduled phased expiration of the federal tax credit between 2019 and 2021, roof/building orientations and constraints, and as with energy efficiency of buildings, the high proportion of homes that are not owner occupied. Solar installations have already declined in 2016 relative to 2014 and 2015 in large part due to the discontinuation of the state tax credit16. Finally, there are no opportunities, in all likelihood, in Carrboro for significant utility scale ( -1 mW and larger) solar installations because of constraints such as the need for larger open areas, less expensive land access, and proximity to substations with capacity. There could be a niche for perhaps 20 -50 kW systems that can be developed through innovative financing mechanisms and community collaboration'' " Because of rate structures and the anticipated continued rise in electricity costs, the opportunity is enhanced for sites that can take advantage of net metering, while maintaining electrical generation on an annual basis at or below the onsite electrical demand. Figuring out the financing to create cash flow positive scenarios and making solar installations straight forward and simple for property owners seem to be primary constraints limiting the acceleration of solar installations. A final note is that community members can also help offset emissions from electric generation through renewable energy programs such as NC Green Power", Piedmont Electric's community solar program19, and other organizations that support renewable energy generation. Accessing 15hgE r� . / /a�lros l .core.ener ov /;>lecl / # /re>ul�s /bailclin >sanclinclusE;r Y`— C'arrboro abv -1° (, &section electric:iEy&zi�r -27510 cur rentS aEe— Nort.h %20Carolina&la�- 3S9107512N 1,n - 79.081452: 0000002 16 Rob Pinder, personal communication " The 2016 -17 operating budget has included resources to initiate this exploration. 18 h tEps: / /www.nc >reenpower.or / 19httph: / /pemc coop /save- energ�rrnoney/ renewable- generaE:ion /cornmunitysolar/