Community solar is an option for anyone seeking to lower their electricity bills while supporting renewable energy. An individual subscribes to a community solar project which develops electricity through solar panels. Through this subscription, the individual then receives credits for solar-generated electricity. These credits, in turn, offset their utility costs. Unlike traditional fossil-based energy methods, solar electricity is generated at a lower cost, leading to overall savings.
Solar-generated electricity from a community solar project is fed into the grid, with subscribers paying a monthly fee for their share. The local utility company pays the solar developer for the electricity added to the grid from the community solar project. Subscribers get a portion of this payment as a dollar credit which typically gets used to reduce their monthly bills. Because this solar-generated electricity has a lower price, the subscriber’s bill for community solar and their reduced utility bill is lower than they would normally pay for their usual utility bill.
Most community solar subscribers enjoy consistent savings ranging from 5% to 20% on their energy bills monthly. Beyond individual savings, community solar contributes to combating global warming, by providing a renewable source of electricity. Additionally, it can increase community resilience during blackouts for periods of extra high grid demand. It’s also available for almost anyone but can be especially great for people who cannot build solar panels on their own rooftops. This includes renters, people living in multifamily homes, or even people whose homes cannot support solar rooftops.
5-20%
On Average Saved Using Community Solar
43 States
Offer Community Solar Projects As well as DC
6.5 Gigawatts
Have Been Installed In the US In Q1 of 2024
Finding the right community solar program can be hard! There’s a lot to consider in terms of your current electricity consumption, terms to understand, which provider to choose, etc. To navigate the complexities of community solar programs, Emerald offers a streamlined enrollment processes, ensuring subscribers access the optimal savings without hassle. With Emerald, finding the right community solar program becomes a seamless journey toward financial benefit, all while helping out the environment.
