Community Solar Programs

Community solar lets renters, homeowners without suitable roofs, and anyone else share in solar benefits without installing anything on their own property — a genuinely underused option for many households.

Table of Contents

• How Community Solar Works
• Who Can Participate
• Benefits vs Rooftop Solar
• Finding a Program
• Frequently Asked Questions

How Community Solar Works

A community solar project is a shared solar installation — typically a mid-size local array — where subscribers receive bill credits proportional to their subscription share of the project’s output, without installing any equipment themselves. You essentially subscribe to a slice of a solar farm and see the value reflected on your regular utility bill.

Who Can Participate

Renters, homeowners with unsuitable roofs (heavy shade, poor orientation, structural issues), condo owners, and anyone who simply prefers not to install their own system can all typically participate, provided a program exists in their utility territory and state. Community solar availability varies significantly by state policy.

Benefits vs Rooftop Solar

Finding a Program

Check your state energy office’s website and your specific utility’s program pages, since availability depends entirely on state policy and local utility participation. Where available, compare subscription terms carefully — length of commitment, cancellation terms, and actual credit rate all vary between programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to own my home to use community solar?
No, renters and anyone within a participating utility territory can typically subscribe.

How much can I save with community solar?
Typically 5-15% off your electricity bill, more modest than the savings potential of rooftop solar.

Is community solar available everywhere?
No, availability depends heavily on state policy and specific utility participation — check your area directly.

Can I switch or cancel a community solar subscription?
Terms vary by program — check cancellation policy before subscribing, since some have longer commitment periods.

Is community solar the same as owning part of a solar farm?
No, you’re typically subscribing to bill credits from the project’s output, not holding direct equity ownership.

For the utility-scale project side, see our solar farm development guide. For a comparison to owning your own system, see our off-grid solar system guide.