Energy Enlightenment: Community Solar

Community Solar allows businesses to harness the benefits of solar energy without installing solar panels. Eligible customers within select utilities are able to enroll in Community Solar programs. These programs allow businesses to support clean, local, renewable energy, in addition to providing savings on their electricity bills.

Community Solar programs offer solar energy that is generated from local “solar farms”, or solar array installations that are developed specifically for Community Solar programs, to utility customers within the region. The energy from these solar farms is fed into the local electricity grid, allowing local customers to take advantage of the renewable resource. In addition to committing to and supporting sustainable energy, these programs offer significant guaranteed savings on your electricity bills.

Colorado was the first to launch a successful major community solar program in 2010. The Community Solar Garden’s Act, the first piece of community solar legislation, established credits on electric bills for the value of renewable generation. This legislation encouraged the development of solar farms, and made it economically beneficial for consumers to enroll in the program. Going forward, this became the blueprint for Community Solar legislation as programs began to develop all over the country.

Currently, 39 states have community solar projects, including Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts. 20 of those states have policies supporting community solar.