Category Archives: Community Solar

Articles & advice about community solar power, community solar gardens & shared renewable energy plants.

community solar panels and buildings

The pros and cons of community solar

Community solar is an enticing option for those looking to take advantage of a solar energy source without installing a system on their own property or having to own solar panels. This unique type of solar project has a large central solar power plant whose energy can be shared potentially by thousands of people on the electric grid with either subscription or ownership plans. This flexible and consumer-friendly solar project plan is perfect for those who don’t want to install solar panels on their property, and especially those who want to reduce both their carbon emissions and their energy bill. As with any energy choice, there are pros and cons to participating in a community solar program. In this article, we’ll dive into some of the primary benefits of community solar, as well as explaining its downsides and how best to keep them in mind as you compare community solar options.

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Q&A with Sunwealth

Q&A with Sunwealth

It’s no surprise that we at EnergySage love solar – it helps you save on electric bills, while making our planet a cleaner and healthier place! But unfortunately, not everyone is able to take advantage of solar energy generated right at their home. Whether you’re a renter, are part of an HOA that doesn’t allow solar, or simply don’t have the best roof or sufficient funds for a home solar installation, there’s another solution for you: community solar. As a community solar subscriber, you’ll save annually on electricity, while supporting the development of clean energy in your area. 

Sunwealth is a company that develops community solar projects in low-to-moderate income (LMI) communities in Massachusetts, helping bring solar to those who otherwise might not be able to reap its benefits. We sat down with the Sunwealth team to learn more about their company, LMI community solar, and community solar in Massachusetts. 

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Virtual net metering

What is virtual net metering?

Virtual net metering, put simply, is net metering for electricity generated by a solar system that is located at a different place than where the energy is consumed. If you’re a community solar customer (or you’re thinking about becoming one), you’ll want to familiarize yourself with virtual net metering. Lucky for you, we’ve got you covered!

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Solar for condos

How to go solar as a condo owner

If you immediately think about homeowners when it comes to solar panels, you’re certainly not alone. But, did you know that about two-thirds of Americans are unable to install solar panels on their properties? Community solar is a great alternative to rooftop solar, making clean solar energy more accessible and available to a wider range of people, including renters and condominium (condo) owners. 

However, as a condo owner, there are circumstances in which you won’t be able to sign up for community solar and situations in which you’ll be able to install solar directly on your property! In this article, we’ll help you determine if home solar or community solar will work for your condo. 

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Community solar savings

How much can you save with community solar?

If you’ve been thinking about signing up for community solar soon, it might be because you’d like to reduce the environmental impact of your electricity use. Or, you might be hoping to save some money on your monthly electricity bill. More likely than not, it’s probably a little bit of both! When it comes to saving money through community solar, it’s important to remember that you will accumulate savings over the course of an entire year – meaning you may not see savings  instantly. In this article, we’ll provide a breakdown of what you can expect to save by signing up for community solar. 

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community solar fit

Are you a good fit for community solar?

Community solar is a great way for people who otherwise might be unable to power their home or business with clean energy to do just that! If you’re interested in signing up for a community solar project, the first thing you’ll want to determine is if you’re a good fit. In this article, we’ll explain why community solar is a great choice for many people, and some situations in which you might not consider community solar. 

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electricity burden

Where electricity burdens are high (and how community solar can help)

Electricity prices are turbulent and can be unpredictable – especially over this past year, the average electricity price has continued to rise, making this abundantly evident to ratepayers. Although no one likes to receive an unexpectedly high electricity bill, not everyone is affected by the cost of keeping the lights on in the same way. Some ratepayers won’t even notice the change in bill payments; to others, it may be a catalyst for a discussion on the state of geopolitics. But to some, a high electricity bill may mean sacrificing adequate heating and cooling. 

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signing up for community solar

How to sign up for community solar

Whether you rent or your roof just isn’t suitable for solar panels, community solar brings the benefits of renewable energy to those traditionally excluded from the rooftop solar market. Electric bill savings, lack of upfront costs, and a boosted local economy are a few things that make community solar a worthwhile investment. So, how do you sign up for community solar once you’ve decided you’re ready to tap into those energy savings? In this article, we explain what you can expect when enrolling in a community solar project. 

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Benefits of community solar

Benefits of community solar

As solar becomes increasingly affordable and accessible, there’s never been a better time to go solar, and community solar is a great option for those who might find it difficult or impossible to install solar where they live. There are a few major benefits to note if you’re on the fence about signing up – we’ll take a look at each of them in this article.

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