How Community Solar Works

Save with solar without installing panels.

What Is Community Solar?

Community solar allows customers to offset their electricity use and save on energy costs with renewable power from New York State – all without the upfront costs of installing solar panels. Put simply, community solar refers to an offsite solar project that generates renewable energy for multiple customers, which could include homes, apartments, small businesses, or municipal buildings.

Most community solar projects follow a subscription model that provides customers with credits on their electric bills for their portion of the electricity that’s generated each month, though a subset of projects allow customers to purchase offsite panels to unlock greater long-term savings.

Joining a community solar project brings a variety of benefits to New Yorkers. Here’s what you can expect when participating in a community solar project.

Pay little to no upfront costs when you subscribe to a community solar project.
Save money on your electric bill every month through credits for your portion of the renewable energy generated by the community solar project.
Maximize electric bill savings when you combine community solar with efficient, electric equipment like heat pumps, home electric vehicle chargers, and induction stoves.
Support local renewable energy generation to offset your electricity use and lower your carbon footprint.
Combine solar with energy storage to increase your home’s energy resilience.