SolarData USA

Community Solar - Save on Solar Without Installing Panels

Community solar lets renters, apartment dwellers, and homeowners with shaded or unsuitable roofs tap into solar energy savings - no panels, no installation, no upfront cost. You subscribe to a share of a nearby solar farm, and your utility applies monthly bill credits to your account automatically.

Over 536,000 households across the US are already saving with community solar, with 3,965 MW of subscribed capacity and more coming online every month.

20

States with Programs

536,000

Active Subscribers

3,965 MW

Total Subscribed Capacity

5-20%

Typical Bill Savings

How Community Solar Works

1

Find a Project

Search your state's community solar marketplace or use a broker to find a project in your utility territory.

2

Subscribe

Sign up for a share sized to cover a portion of your monthly electricity use - no installation, no credit check, no upfront cost.

3

Farm Generates

The off-site solar farm generates electricity and production data is reported to your utility each month.

4

Credits on Your Bill

Your utility applies a bill credit for your share of the output. You pay the solar provider a lower rate and keep the difference.

Who Community Solar Is For

🏢

Renters & Apartment Dwellers

You can’t install panels on a rented property, but you can subscribe to community solar. All you need is an active utility account - ownership is not required.

🌳

Homeowners with Shaded Roofs

Trees, chimneys, and north-facing roofs can make rooftop solar impractical. Community solar gives you access to clean energy savings without needing a sunny roof.

💰

Anyone Who Can’t Afford Rooftop Solar

Rooftop solar typically costs $15,000-$30,000 upfront even after incentives. Community solar has zero upfront cost and starts saving you money from the first billing cycle.

Active Community Solar Programs

These states have well-established programs with available capacity and strong consumer protections.

NY

New York

Active

NY-Sun Community Distributed Generation

5-15%

Savings

170,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

MA

Massachusetts

Active

SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target)

10-15%

Savings

80,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

IL

Illinois

Active

Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program)

5-15%

Savings

50,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

MD

Maryland

Active

Maryland Community Solar Pilot Program

5-10%

Savings

40,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

ME

Maine

Active

Community Net Metering (CNM)

5-12%

Savings

20,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

MN

Minnesota

Active

Community Solar Garden (Xcel Energy)

5-10%

Savings

30,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

CO

Colorado

Active

Colorado Community Solar Gardens Act

5-10%

Savings

25,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

NJ

New Jersey

Active

New Jersey Community Solar Energy Pilot

5-10%

Savings

15,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

OR

Oregon

Active

Oregon Community Solar Program

5-12%

Savings

20,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

VA

Virginia

Active

Virginia Community Solar Pilot Program

5-10%

Savings

10,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

NM

New Mexico

Active

New Mexico Community Solar Act

5-10%

Savings

8,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

DC

District of Columbia

Active

Solar for All / DC Community Renewables

10-20%

Savings

12,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

RI

Rhode Island

Active

Rhode Island Shared Solar Program

5-10%

Savings

10,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

CT

Connecticut

Active

Virtual Net Metering / Shared Clean Energy Facility

5-10%

Savings

15,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

Limited & Pilot Programs

These states have emerging or limited community solar programs. Options may be utility-specific or have restricted capacity.

OH

Ohio

Limited

Ohio Community Solar (utility-specific programs)

3-8%

Savings

8,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

MI

Michigan

Limited

Michigan Community Solar Pilot

3-7%

Savings

5,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

WI

Wisconsin

Limited

Wisconsin Utility Community Solar Programs

3-7%

Savings

5,000

Subscribers

No

Renters OK

IN

Indiana

Pilot

Indiana Community Solar (utility-sponsored pilots)

2-6%

Savings

3,000

Subscribers

No

Renters OK

GA

Georgia

Limited

Georgia Power Community Solar

3-7%

Savings

4,000

Subscribers

No

Renters OK

FL

Florida

Limited

FPL SolarTogether

5-10%

Savings

6,000

Subscribers

Yes

Renters OK

Community Solar - Frequently Asked Questions

Community solar is a shared solar farm that multiple subscribers can connect to, receiving credits on their utility bills proportional to their share of the project's output. You don't install any panels - the farm is built off-site, and your utility applies credits to your account each month. You pay the community solar provider a slightly lower rate than the credit, keeping the difference as savings.
Yes - community solar is one of the best options for renters because it requires no physical installation at your home. As long as you have an active electric utility account with a participating utility, you can subscribe regardless of whether you own or rent your residence. Many states specifically highlight renter access as a primary goal of their community solar programs.
Savings vary by state, utility, and program. Most community solar programs offer 5-15% savings on the electricity your subscription covers. States with strong programs like New York, Massachusetts, and DC can offer savings up to 20-30% for income-qualified households. The dollar amount depends on your electricity usage and the size of your subscription.
Most community solar programs have zero upfront costs for residential subscribers. You simply sign a subscription agreement and receive credits on your next billing cycle once the project is operational. There is no equipment to buy, no installation to schedule, and no change to your home required.
If you move within the same utility service territory, you can usually transfer your community solar subscription to your new address. If you move to a different utility area or state, most residential contracts allow cancellation with minimal or no early termination fees. Always check the specific terms of your subscription agreement before signing.

Source: NREL Community Solar Policy, state energy offices, DSIRE. Data reflects programs available as of early 2026. Program terms change frequently - verify current availability with your utility or a licensed community solar provider.