Community solar makes the benefits of renewable energy accessible to renters, low- and middle-income homeowners, people without suitable rooftops. ILSR defines community solar programs as those that provide shared ownership and virtual net metering, which allows many individuals to receive utility bill credits for the energy generated by a single solar installation.
ILSR evaluates community solar programs in states that allow non-utility ownership.
Many utilities claim to offer “community solar,” but their programs cost rather than save subscribers money, and the utility owns the projects — taking profits that would otherwise go to community subscribers and giving them to utility shareholders. The best community solar programs are surrounded by supportive state policy that allows non-utility entities to build and own solar gardens, establishes a fair price for utilities to pay for community solar power, and sets up a process for billing and crediting subscribers.
Learn more about each state's community solar program:
District of Columbia
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Top Resources:
State Community Solar Policy Comparison Table
Community Solar Tracker
Community Power Scorecard
Designing Community Solar Programs that Promote Racial Equity
Beyond Sharing – How Communities Can Take Ownership of Renewable Power
Community Power Map
Recent Community Solar Local Energy Rules Podcast Episodes
A 2nd State Puts Utility Performance Over Profits — Episode 264 of Local Energy Rules
Oregon tries to tie utility profits to climate, cost, and reliability targets through performance-based regulation.
A Blueprint for Scalable Cooperative Solar Energy — Episode 257 of Local Energy Rules
What happens when you combine cooperative solar ownership with a clever standardized design meant to match the scale and capacity of local communities?
How to Raise the Bar for Community Solar in Minnesota — (Bonus) Episode 255 of Local Energy Rules
Learn about the recent improvements to Minnesota's community solar program and what can be done to better encourage cooperative ownership models.
The State Fighting The Feds to Lower Energy Costs – (Bonus) Episode 253 of Local Energy Rules
Learn how this state is ramping up the fight with the feds for local, clean energy affordability and access.
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