Project description
Comunidad Solar Sin Inversión (COSSI), located in Collado Mediano, Spain, is a cooperative initiative that develops a zero-investment model for collective self-consumption with energy storage in residential communities. The project targets large housing complexes with high seasonal energy demand, aiming to reduce costs and maximise renewable energy use through an “energy-as-a-service” approach that removes financial barriers for residents.
- Challenges addressed
COSSI addresses challenges such as complex governance structures, seasonal demand variability and limited access to upfront investment, offering a scalable and socially inclusive model for peri-urban areas.
- Technology
The initiative combines solar energy, battery storage, and energy efficiency solutions.
- Support received under CEAH
With the support of CEAH, the cooperative is refining its technical design, financial model and governance approach to enable large-scale deployment. It also focuses on communication strategies to facilitate decision-making in homeowners’ associations.
1. Business Model and Governance Definition
Defines the organisational structure, roles, and governance model of the cooperative, clarifying stakeholder responsibilities and decision-making processes. Key deliverables include:- An Organisational Structure Model, defining roles, governance, and stakeholder relationships
- Explain COSSI in one sentence: reduction of the cost of community meters through solar and battery power.
2. Energy Consumption Characterisation
Analyses consumption data to develop representative energy use profiles and support system design. Key deliverables include:- A Consumption Profiles Dataset, providing hourly demand curves and representative usage patterns
- To clarify, individual homes are not included: the client is the community and only the pool, entrances, garages, pumps, etc. are supplied.
3. Simulation of Energy and Financial Scenarios
Assesses technical configurations and economic performance through scenario modelling to identify optimal system design and savings potential. Key deliverables include:- Energy-Economic Simulation Results, outlining system sizing, savings, and viability
- An Energy Management and Monitoring Model, describing operational and digital system requirements
- The two options:
- Muy Sostenible finances and owns the property for 10 years.
- The community owns the property from the start and assumes the loan.
4. Quota Modelling
Defines cost-recovery mechanisms by modelling user contributions based on investment and financing scenarios. Key deliverables include:- An Amortisation Scenario, defining recommended user fees and repayment structures
- Explain that "no investment" doesn't mean free: there is a fee during the contract. The goal is to reduce monthly expenses by 70%.
5. Identification of Private Funding Opportunities
Identifies suitable financing channels to support project development and strengthen negotiation capacity with financial institutions. Key deliverables include:- A Financing Catalogue, listing potential funders and financing options
6. Replicable Technical-Economic Modelling
This activity develops tools and procedures to support the replication and scaling of similar projects. Key deliverables include:- A Feasibility Modelling Tool, including spreadsheet and methodology for preliminary assessments
7. Procedural Framework for Neighbourhood Decision-Making
This activity supports decision-making in housing communities by providing legal guidance aligned with the applicable regulatory framework. Key deliverables include:- FAQs and Procedural Guidance, addressing key legal and organisational questions
8. Consolidation of Results and Knowledge Transfer
This activity consolidates all outputs into a clear and accessible format to support communication, replication, and stakeholder engagement. Key outputs include:- A COSSI Presentation, summarising the business model, governance, and scalability strategy
More information on the initiative can be found here on their website: