Utility Rates

Lower Your Electricity Bill with Community Solar

Save up to 20% on credits to lower your electric bill with no installation, no contracts, and no changes to your current utility.

Check if You Qualify for
Community Solar

Enter your ZIP code and utility provider to see if community solar is available in your area and how much you can save.

Free to check. No obligation.

Want to know what happens next?

Learn more about the process and next steps in our How It Works section.

Who Can Join Community Solar?

You may qualify if you:

  • Live in an area with community solar programs
  • Rent or can't install rooftop solar
  • Own a home with a shaded or unsuitable roof
  • Run a small business and want to lower energy costs
  • Want clean energy with no installation or maintenance
  • Meet basic credit requirements (depending on location/state)

lightbulbGood news: You don't need to own your home - renters are welcome.

Learn more about eligibility and available states.

Check Availability

Please enter a valid 5-digit ZIP code.
Please select your electric utility.
Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.
Please enter a valid 10-digit phone number.
Please enter a valid email address.

How It Works

No panels. No installation. Just simple monthly savings.

1

Check Avalibility

Enter your ZIP code to see if community solar is available in your area.

2

Get Matched to a Solar Farm

You're connected to a local solar farm that sends clean energy to the grid.

3

Start Saving

Receive bill credits and pay less on your electricity each month.

$90 Million+ Savings delivered

Powered by trusted partners like Arcadia Energy.

How To Join

Full transparency, no surprises - just savings

Community solar is new to many states and doesn't even exist in some. Input your zip code and our matching platform will look at availability near you.

Provide your utility account information or an image of your bill

Signup takes only a few minutes online. No changes to your current electricity provider and no lock-in contracts.

Get subscribed, start saving, and feel good about helping the planet

Arcadia gets to work, coordinating with the utility and solar farm owner to secure your spot-and lock in your long-term savings.

Where Is Community Solar Available?

Community solar is available in 20+ states and Washington, D.C., with new programs expanding each year. Availability depends on your ZIP code and utility provider.

  • New York
  • Illinois
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Maryland
  • New Jersey

Also growing in:

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and more.

community solar footprint
commnunity solar

Table of Contents

Up to 20% Average Annual Community Solar Savings

Off your bill credits from participating solar farms nationwide

What Is Community Solar?

Community solar (also called shared solar or solar gardens) allows multiple households and businesses to benefit from a single, large-scale solar installation. Instead of installing panels on your own property, you subscribe to a portion of a centralized solar farm located elsewhere in your utility service area.

These large solar arrays typically 1-5 megawatts in size generate clean electricity that flows directly into the local power grid. Subscribers receive credits on their utility bills based on their share of the energy produced, at a discounted rate.

Key Concept: You don't physically receive the solar electricity at your property. Instead, the solar farm injects clean power into the grid, and you receive financial credits that reduce your regular utility bill. It's like buying electricity at wholesale prices instead of retail rates.

How Community Solar Works in 3 Simple Steps

It's simple. Subscribe and share large solar projects with your neighbors at no cost to you.

Solar Project
Step 1 Choose your solar project

Visit our marketplace to find a project located in your utility region. Fill out the enrollment form with some basic details like your name, address, and utility account number.

Solar Panels
Step 2 Receive your assigned share of panels

Based on your average electricity usage, you will be assigned a portion of the generation from the solar project of your choice.

energy bill
Step 3 Save on your energy bill

Sit back, relax, and enjoy guaranteed savings each month you are with us.

How Much Money Can You Save?

Community solar savings come from the discount built into your subscription agreement. Here's how the math works:

Scenario Monthly Solar Credits What You Pay Your Savings
10% Discount $100 $90 $10/month
15% Discount $100 $85 $15/month
20% Discount $100 $80 $20/month

Real-World Savings Example

Let's say your typical monthly electricity bill is $120. With a 10% community solar discount:

  • Your solar farm subscription generates $60 worth of credits monthly
  • You pay the solar provider $54 for those credits (10% discount)
  • Your utility bill drops from $120 to $60 after credits are applied
  • Total monthly cost: $60 (utility) + $54 (solar) = $114 instead of $120
  • Monthly savings: $6 | Annual savings: $72
Savings Guarantee: Most community solar providers guarantee your discount percentage for the entire contract term (typically 1-25 years). Unlike fluctuating retail electricity rates, your savings are locked in and predictable.

Factors That Affect Your Savings

Your actual savings depend on several variables:

  • Discount Percentage: Ranges from 5-20% depending on state regulations, provider, and subscription type
  • Electricity Usage: Higher usage subscribers receive larger absolute dollar savings
  • Subscription Size: Matched to your annual consumption for optimal benefit
  • Seasonal Variations: Solar production fluctuates with weather, affecting monthly credit amounts
  • Income Qualification: Low-to-moderate income (LMI) programs often offer higher discount tiers

Community Solar Impact

For comparison, the amount of clean energy produced by a community solar project can have an environmental impact equivalent to:

8 Tons CO Emissions Reduced
115 Trees Equivalent Planted
16,564 Miles Not Driven

Community Solar vs. Rooftop Solar: Which Is Right for You?

Feature Community Solar Rooftop Solar
Upfront Cost $0 $15,000-$30,000
Installation Required None Yes (roof work)
Maintenance Zero responsibility Your responsibility
Available to Renters Yes No
Works with Shaded Roofs Yes Poor performance
Move Flexibility Transfer or cancel Panels stay with property
Typical Savings 5-20% annually 50-100% long-term
Contract Length 1-25 years (varies) 25+ year ownership
Best For Renters, easy savings, flexibility Homeowners, maximum long-term savings
Bottom Line: Rooftop solar offers greater lifetime savings but requires significant upfront investment and homeownership. Community solar provides immediate, guaranteed savings with zero installation hasslesperfect for renters, those with unsuitable roofs, or anyone wanting simple, risk-free solar benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions about Community Solar

Yes, community solar is completely legitimate. It's not "free" in the sense that you don't pay anything rather, there are no upfront costs to join. You pay the solar farm provider for the credits you receive, but at a discounted rate (5-20% less than their value). The discount is where your savings come from. This business model works because large solar farms generate electricity more cheaply than retail rates, and providers share those savings with subscribers while still profiting.

Moving policies vary by provider. If you move within the same utility service territory, you can typically transfer your subscription to your new address for free. If you move outside the service area, most providers allow you to either transfer your contract to another eligible customer or cancel without penalty by providing proof of your move (often requiring 90 days). Always review cancellation and transfer terms before signing up.

Yes. You can cancel your community solar subscription. In most cases, cancellation requires 90 days notice. Please review your subscription terms for specific cancellation requirements.

Your utility bill may still be affected by rate increases for electricity purchased from the grid. However, your community solar discount stays the same. As utility rates increase, the dollar value of your solar credits and savings may increase while the percentage savings remains the same.

If you subscribe to an already-operational solar farm, credits can begin appearing on your utility bill within 1-2 billing cycles. If your subscription is to a farm under construction, expect 3-12 months before credit allocation begins. Providers notify you of expected timelines during enrollment and provide construction updates. You're never charged for credits until the farm is operational and producing power.

Solar production does fluctuate seasonally, with summer months generating more electricity than winter. However, your subscription is sized based on annual production, not monthly output. Your guaranteed discount percentage applies year-round, so savings remain consistent annually even if monthly credit amounts vary. Most providers design contracts accounting for seasonal variations to ensure promised annual savings are delivered.

Absolutely! Community solar welcomes commercial subscribers including small businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, faith organizations, and municipalities. Business subscriptions can be significantly larger than residential ones, leading to greater absolute dollar savings. Some states and programs specifically reserve capacity for commercial or public entity subscribers.

Community solar programs currently operate in 22 states plus Washington D.C. The most mature markets include New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Maryland, New Jersey, Maine, and Colorado. Other states with active or emerging programs include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington. Availability within states varies by utility territory. Enter your ZIP code to find projects serving your specific area.

Yes. Some community solar programs offer additional benefits for low-to-moderate income (LMI) customers, including higher savings that may reach 20-25%, depending on the state and project. Eligibility requirements and program availability vary by location, so check available projects in your area for details.

Ready to Start Saving With Community Solar?

Find available solar farms in your area and compare subscription offers to start saving up to 20% on electricity today.

Check Availability

Additional Resources

Explore community solar programs, regulations, and available incentives in each state with active markets.

Estimate your potential annual savings based on your location, electricity usage, and available subscription offers.

Compare discount rates, contract terms, credit requirements, and customer reviews across multiple providers.

Learn what to look for in community solar contracts to protect your interests and maximize savings.