A community solar project, farm, or garden is a collection of solar panels called an array that supplies electricity to a local power grid serving the region. Community solar projects offer residents and small businesses a way to support clean, renewable energy without start-up costs, maintenance fees, or installation hassles. In addition to helping save the environment, people who subscribe to community solar projects can save on their annual energy costs by receiving credit on their electricity bills for their share of the power produced. For more information, see How Does Community Solar Work?

When you sign up for community solar, you’re allocated a portion of the project’s energy production. In exchange, you receive solar credits applied to your utility bill each month which result in annual savings on your energy costs. The amount of your savings will depend on the state program or specific solar project.¹ (You can watch your solar credits accruing in your community solar dashboard.)

It depends on your solar project. As a subscriber, you may or may not be charged monthly for a portion of the project’s energy production. Either way, though, you’ll receive solar credits that help cover your energy bill payment and save you money on your annual energy costs. Your subscription charge (if any), solar credits, and savings will vary depending on the state program or specific solar project. People who subscribe to community solar can save up to 10% each month. With community solar, your savings are locked in – with no hidden fees – so you’ll always pay less on your energy costs than if you hadn’t subscribed to community solar. Community Solar: How the Billing Process Works explains this really well if you’d like more information.

Your utility account information helps us confirm that you’re in the project’s coverage area and that you’re the account holder. This also allows us to verify your annual energy usage. We use this information to calculate your allocation of the project’s total energy production and to make sure you receive your solar credits on your standard utility bill.

Some community solar projects require credit checks while others do not. The specific terms of your community solar subscription will be presented during sign-up. If a credit check is required, it will be a soft credit check which doesn’t affect your credit score in any way.

Some projects require a credit check, while others do not. If you don't pass the credit check for the project and plan you've selected, we may show you other projects or plans that you qualify for. If you don’t qualify for any at this time, we’ll let you know that. We encourage you to check back with us if your credit score improves to see if you qualify for a plan. And again, our soft credit check doesn’t affect your credit score.