Currently, a growing and significant trend in the field of energy consumption is found in the self-production and use of renewable energy in homes. Nowadays, an emerging and significant trend is its application in neighborhood communities. This approach aims primarily to promote energy self-sufficiency at the community level, which, on the one hand, allows neighbors to jointly reduce their electricity bills, and on the other, represents a collective and decisive action in the fight against climate change. To implement self-consumption in homes, there are several viable and increasingly accessible options. The most common ones are the following:

· Photovoltaic solar energy: Through solar panels installed on rooftops or nearby land, homes can generate their own electricity using solar energy. The energy not used immediately can be stored in batteries for use during the night or on cloudy days. By implementing energy self-consumption through solar panels, not only individual homes benefit, but also neighborhood communities. Residential buildings often have large surfaces on rooftops that can be used for the installation of photovoltaic solar energy systems. This allows generating electricity from solar energy that is used to cover the needs of all neighbors, enabling more efficient and sustainable collective energy management. The energy not consumed immediately can be stored in batteries for later use during the night, on cloudy days, or even during times of higher demand. 
Additionally, the surplus energy generated by the solar panel system can be, in some jurisdictions, sold to the electrical grid, generating income that can be used to further reduce the community's energy costs or to amortize the initial investment more quickly. Another advantage of collective self-consumption systems is that they usually allow greater efficiency in the use of generated energy. This is because there is always likely someone consuming energy in a neighborhood community (for example, during the day, when many residents are at work, others may be at home consuming energy). These types of initiatives require an agreement among community members and proper management for their implementation and maintenance.

· Domestic wind energy: Small wind turbines can be an effective option for energy self-consumption in rural areas or larger properties. Although it is true that small wind turbines are less common in urban areas due to space and noise restrictions, it is also possible that neighborhood communities in rural areas, urbanizations on the outskirts, or on larger properties can benefit from this energy self-consumption option. Wind energy can be generated from turbines of various sizes and powers, adapted to the community's needs. When there is enough space available, and wind conditions are favorable, wind energy can be an effective and renewable source of electricity. Moreover, in certain cases, neighborhood communities can install several turbines to create a small 'community wind farm,' generating enough energy to meet their needs and even selling the excess to the electrical grid. Additionally, the installation of wind turbines in neighborhood communities can have benefits beyond saving on energy bills. By adopting these renewable technologies, communities can reduce their carbon footprint, contribute to the fight against climate change, and promote greater environmental awareness and education among their members. Just like in photovoltaics, it is important that neighborhood communities carry out a prior study to evaluate the feasibility of installing wind turbines, taking into account factors such as wind speed and direction, available space, local restrictions, and the initial investment required. It is also essential to seek advice from renewable energy professionals to ensure that the implementation is done correctly and safely.

· Solar thermal energy: It uses solar energy to heat water or air. It is an effective way to reduce energy consumption for heating and hot water. In the context of neighborhood communities, solar thermal energy systems can represent a highly efficient and sustainable solution to reduce energy consumption for heating and hot water. Solar thermal collectors, which capture the sun's heat to heat water or air, can be installed on rooftops or cleared areas of community buildings. These systems directly convert solar energy into heat, which is then used to heat sanitary water or for heating systems, reducing the need to use gas or other non-renewable energy sources. In a neighborhood community, the hot water generated through this method can be distributed to each individual home, providing an environmentally friendly and economically efficient source of hot water. Similarly, in the colder times of the year, this system can complement or even replace traditional heating systems, resulting in significant savings on energy bills. It is important to mention that these systems require an initial investment and proper maintenance, but in the long run, they can result in significant energy and economic savings. Like with all energy self-consumption solutions, it is advisable for neighborhood communities to carry out a prior study and obtain professional advice to evaluate the viability and potential benefits of solar thermal energy systems.

Ultimately, the path to renewable energy and self-consumption is not only about technology or economics, but also about community and cooperation. Joint work, open communication, and the willingness to innovate are essential for neighborhood communities to make the most of these opportunities. In the end, energy self-consumption not only allows communities to be more self-sufficient and sustainable, but it can also help strengthen neighborly bonds, showing that together we can achieve goals that go beyond the individual and contribute significantly to the protection of our planet.

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