Community solar garden pioneer and market leader Clean Energy Collective (CEC) has announced a new partnership with San Luis Obispo, Cali.-based REC Solar, Inc. (REC). The relationship extends CEC's innovative community solar ownership model to a national level by leveraging REC's well-established utility business development network and sales and marketing programs.

The partnership allows REC to expand its business by integrating CEC's community solar solutions to serve national residential, commercial and utility-scale renewable energy demand.

"We've built our business on turnkey solar solutions that couple new technologies with our deep project development experience to reduce costs," said Lee Johnson, CEO of REC Solar, Inc. "With CEC's innovative model we can now tap a powerful new avenue to take our reliable, inexpensive solar energy solutions to the mainstream."

REC Solar will work to make CEC's community solar solutions available to utilities throughout the United States, greatly broadening the number of electricity consumers with access to affordable, accessible solar ownership. CEC will also partner with REC Solar to utilize REC's engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services within CEC-driven opportunities.

REC Solar will also leverage their deep penetration within residential and commercial solar sales, including its bricks and mortar branches in various key solar states, to widen and accelerate the adoption of the CEC's proven community solar model.

Community solar arrays are the most cost effective solar solutions available today," stated Paul Spencer, CEC's founder and CEO. "We share REC Solar's goal to make solar part of the mainstream energy supply, and our new partnership will help make great strides to that end."

Clean Energy Collective's community solar model allows every customer in a utility, including renters, those with poorly sighted properties and individuals of all income levels, to participate in local renewable energy production without having to build a costly system of their own, and reap the benefits directly on their monthly electric bills through the utility.

Members receive all of the rebates and tax incentives of home-sited systems up-front, and can buy a single panel for as little as $535, or as many as needed to completely power their home or business.