Community Solar allows you to subscribe to a share of a larger solar farm located in your area. If you have an electric bill, you can support solar without putting panels on your roof – and save money!
Are you a renter? Home not suitable for solar? Don’t want panels on your roof?
Community Solar is made for you.
Are you a renter? Home not suitable for solar? Don’t want panels on your roof?
Community Solar is made for you.
Find community solar projects near you
Community Shared Solar FAQs
How is this different from rooftop solar?
When you buy into a community solar project, you receive a portion of the energy generated by a large solar panel system that is located elsewhere in your area. Unlike a home solar panel system, a community solar project isn’t installed on your roof. Community solar and rooftop solar both result in net savings on your electricity bill, but each offers distinct benefits. Compare them to find the right one for you.
How should I evaluate my options?
First, decide whether you’d prefer to own your share or find a subscription-based program. Ownership means you make an up-front investment in order to save money in the future, while subscription-based programs offer savings over a set period of time. There are a number of different subscription structures for you to consider when comparing community solar offers. Other considerations include the location of a project and how soon it will begin delivering savings.
What if I move or have to cancel?
When you move, you can keep your share of the community solar project as long as your new home is within the same service area. If you move outside of the service area, you will have to sell your share (if you own it), transfer a subscription to another account, or potentially pay an early cancellation fee (if you choose a subscription-based model). Cancellation terms vary by project and provider.
How does it save me money?
Community solar saves you money by allowing you to invest in solar panels that produce electricity for your home or business, even when you can’t install them on your roof. When you participate in a community solar project, you are paying for access to less expensive solar electricity so that you don’t have to buy electricity at standard utility rates.
How will it appear on my electric bill?
If you own a share of or subscribe to a community solar project, you will receive virtual net metering credits on your electric bill from your utility. Each credit is equal to one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity. For example: you use 1,000 kWh at your home in one month, and your community solar share produces 800 kWh. The 800 kWh in credits from your share are applied to your electric bill, and your utility bills you for the remaining 200 kWh. You pay your community solar provider directly for the cost of your share or subscription.
Still have more questions?
Visit our community solar section
Visit our community solar section
Community Solar Marketplace™
Request details for more information about open projects
Arlington Church Project I
20 kw local solar system supporting energy savings for a local Arlington church.
Project Location: Arlington, MA
Project Launch Date: Q4 2016
Customers Served: Eversource customers in Massachusetts
Arlington Church Project Panel
Offer: Pay $325 upfront, estimated $367 gross savings
Contract Type: Pay Upfront
Term Length: 10 years
Cancellation: No Fee
Nationwide Community Solar
Large ground mounted community solar project built in southern Colorado that is able to serve customers in most US states.
Project Location: Rocky Ford, CO
Project Launch Date: Q4 2016
Customers Served: Most customers of large utilities around the United States
Portable Panel
Offer: Pay $360 upfront, estimated $450 gross savings
Contract Type: Pay Upfront
Term Length: 15 years
Cancellation: No Fee
Nationwide Community Solar II
20 kW solar system on a church in Arlington, MA that is able to serve customers in most US states.
Project Location: Arlington, MA
Project Launch Date: Q4 2016
Customers Served: Most customers of large utilities around the United States
Portable Panel
Offer: Pay $325 upfront, estimated $367 gross savings
Contract Type: Pay Upfront
Term Length: 10 years
Cancellation: No Fee
Nationwide Community Solar - Manor Park
These panels sit on top of a large roof on a quiet and sunny street in Washington, D.C.
Project Location: Washington, D.C.
Project Launch Date: Q4 2016
Customers Served: Most customers of large utilities around the United States
Portable Panel
Offer: Pay $325 upfront, estimated $365 gross savings
Contract Type: Pay Upfront
Term Length: 7 years
Cancellation: No Fee
Hancock I - Northwest Field Community Solar Project
Built near historic Hancock Shaker Village, we are bringing community solar and long-term savings to Western Massachusetts.
Project Location: Hancock, MA
Project Launch Date: Q1 2017
Customers Served: Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) customers (now Eversource)
Syncarpha Community Solar Product
Offer: Save up to 10% on energy bills
Contract Type: % Discount on Electric Rate
Term Length: 20 years
Cancellation: Transfer Required
Minnesota Community Solar Gardens
SunShare makes it possible for anyone to access clean, locally produced solar energy while lowering your electricity bill.
Project Location: Various, MN
Project Launch Date: Q1 2017
Customers Served: Xcel Energy customers in most counties within Minnesota
SunShare Community Solar Product
Offer: No upfront fee, save 4% easily
Contract Type: Fixed Rate + Escalator
More Info: No cancelation fee or penalty with notice
Term Length: 25 years
Cancellation: No Fee
More Info: No cancelation fee or penalty with notice
Plympton Solar Project
A local community solar garden with the ability to provide a 10% discount to your electric bill.
Project Location: Plympton, MA
Project Launch Date: Q1 2017
Customers Served: Eversource customers in Southeast MA
Plympton Lake St.
Offer: 10% discount on electricity
Contract Type: % Discount on Electric Rate
More Info: Flat cancellation fee if no customer replacement found
Term Length: 20 years
Cancellation: Transfer Required
More Info: Flat cancellation fee if no customer replacement found
Mendon Solar Project
A local community solar garden with the ability to provide a 10% discount to your electric bill.
Project Location: Mendon, MA
Project Launch Date: Q1 2017
Customers Served: National Grid customers in Southeast MA
Mendon Bates St.
Offer: 10% discount on electricity
Contract Type: % Discount on Electric Rate
More Info: Flat cancellation fee if no customer replacement found
Term Length: 20 years
Cancellation: Transfer Required
More Info: Flat cancellation fee if no customer replacement found
Hancock II - Richmond Road Community Solar Project
WMECO customers can save 10% on energy and support local solar.
Project Location: Hancock, MA
Project Launch Date: Q1 2017
Customers Served: Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) customers (now Eversource)
Syncarpha Community Solar Product
Offer: Save up to 10% on energy bills
Contract Type: % Discount on Electric Rate
Term Length: 20 years
Cancellation: Transfer Required
Hopedale Solar Project
A local community solar garden with the ability to provide a 10% discount to your electric bill.
Project Location: Hopedale, MA
Project Launch Date: Q1 2017
Customers Served: National Grid customers in Southeast MA
Hopedale South Main St.
Offer: 10% discount on electricity
Contract Type: % Discount on Electric Rate
More Info: Flat cancellation fee if no customer replacement found
Term Length: 20 years
Cancellation: Transfer Required
More Info: Flat cancellation fee if no customer replacement found
Sturbridge Solar Project
A local community solar garden with the ability to provide a 10% discount to your electric bill.
Project Location: Sturbridge, MA
Project Launch Date: Q1 2017
Customers Served: National Grid customers in West/Central MA
Sturbridge Hare Rd. A
Offer: 10% discount on electricity
Contract Type: % Discount on Electric Rate
More Info: Flat cancellation fee if no customer replacement found
Term Length: 20 years
Cancellation: Transfer Required
More Info: Flat cancellation fee if no customer replacement found
Hancock III - Pittsfield Community Solar Project
Subscriptions are limited, so sign on today to support community solar and save, WMECO customers.
Project Location: Pittsfield, MA
Project Launch Date: Q1 2017
Customers Served: Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) customers (now Eversource)
Syncarpha Community Solar Product
Offer: Save up to 10% on energy bills
Contract Type: % Discount on Electric Rate
Term Length: 20 years
Cancellation: Transfer Required
WCMA Solar Project
A local community solar garden with the ability to provide a 10% discount to your electric bill
Project Location: West/Central MA
Project Launch Date: Q1 2017
Customers Served: National Grid customers in West/Central MA
Solar for the 100%
Offer: 10% discount on electricity
Contract Type: % Discount on Electric Rate
More Info: Flat cancellation fee if no customer replacement found
Term Length: 20 years
Cancellation: Transfer Required
More Info: Flat cancellation fee if no customer replacement found
Finger Lakes Community Solar Farm
Local residents can own solar panels located on an offsite community solar farm and reduce or eliminate their electricity bill.
Project Location: Orange, NY
Project Launch Date: May 2017
Customers Served: NYSEG Customers in: Allegany, Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Onondaga, Ontario, Oswego, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, and Yates Counties.
Finger Lakes Community Solar
Offer: Reduce or eliminate electricity bill
Contract Type: Pay Upfront
More Info: Product is paid for upfront, so cancellation is not applicable.
Term Length: 25 years
Cancellation: Other
More Info: Product is paid for upfront, so cancellation is not applicable.
Stay up to date on project availability
Get an alert when new projects open up.
Are you a project developer? List your project.
