What is Community Solar?
Unfortunately, not everyone can install rooftop solar panels – your property may not be suitable due to roof conditions or shading. Or, you might be a renter and not own the roof over your home.
Luckily, even if you can’t install solar panels where you live, you can still benefit from the power of the sun with community solar.
How does Community Solar Work?
First, solar developers build large solar energy systems, known as solar farms. Then, people in the surrounding area join the community solar program to receive credits for a portion of the electricity that solar farm produces. This process is called “virtual net metering”, and it allows your utility account to receive credits for solar power that’s produced elsewhere.
How Can I Sign Up?
In a nutshell, you buy a portion of the electricity coming from the solar farm at a lower price than utility rates, but you do not actually own the panels themselves.
You can expect to save 5% to 25% on electricity costs with your subscription, depending on your income qualification. In addition to paying your community solar provider, you should still expect to pay a monthly electric bill because most programs will only cover a portion of your electricity usage. But, you’ll only pay for the electricity you need that your share of the solar farm does not cover.
Community solar is quickly becoming popular across the country, but its only currently available in select states. To see the most comprehensive list of what community solar programs are available in your area, check out the EnergySage Community Solar Marketplace, accessible right off the homepage.
Benefit From Solar Energy
Without the Hassle.
A new model for residential power enables people to switch to solar without the up-front cost of home installation, a critical step in bringing lower-income Americans into the green fold.
Community solar allows residents, small businesses, organizations, municipalities and others to receive credit on their electricity bills for the power produced from their portion of a solar array, offsetting their electricity costs.
Community solar allows for equal access to the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy generation regardless of the physical attributes or ownership of an individual’s home or business. In other words, if you can’t install solar directly on your property, community solar can be a good option for accessing the savings and other benefits solar provides.
Community solar facilities are usually less than five megawatts (MW) of electrical capacity and vary in the number of acres affected. Unlike residential housing and commercial development on a sold-off farm parcel, community solar installations are generally on leased land, and well-designed systems can be returned to their original state.
BY THE NUMBERS
13+
States Active
6.5 Gigawatts
of Community Solar Installed Nationwide
10%-50%
Average Savings Per Family
$88,000,000+
In Savings Nationwide
ACTIVE MARKETS
Community Solar is currently available in:
D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, Illinois, California, Colorado
Community Solar is PERFECT for anyone who does not qualify for rooftop solar, shaded houses, renters, apartments, condos, bad roofs, areas that can't be serviced, any DQ whatsoever...
If you pay an electric bill, and you are in one of the qualifying states, you most likely qualify for Community Solar!
IT'S A SIMPLE PROCESS...
Collect Your Energy Bill
Request an Application
Select the Best Plan
Authorize Agreement
Get Started
⚡️ Want to get paid for sharing solar?
Contact us to learn more about our Referral Program, and opportunities to earn!
