The Scottish Government said the renewables industry has helped to put £10million back into the Scottish community following a record year.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said there were now more than 150 projects on the community renewables register with millions of pounds paid out to communities from renewables developments.
Meanwhile a target for community or local ownership of renewables was met five years early, with 508MW of capacity now operational.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said:“2015 was a bumper year for community energy and 2016 can be just as exciting.
“Our national guidance and support is encouraging more and more developers to increase the value of the community benefits they offer and consider community ownership – I want to see even more communities reap the benefits of owning and hosting small scale renewables
“Community energy can cut costs for consumers, create new revenue streams to transform communities and play a leading role in tackling climate change.
“Over £10 million a year from onshore renewable projects is now going straight back into people’s hands, empowering people to make the most of their own local resources.
“Benefits ploughed back into communities can fund all sorts of schemes, from energy efficiency and fuel poverty programmes to befriending projects which reduce isolation for elderly people.
“Scotland leads the way in the UK on local and community ownership of renewable energy and we are providing the best possible environment to help ambitious community groups reap the benefits.
“I want to see even more communities take decisions about their local energy system and to have an economic stake in new developments.”
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