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Community Solar

Community solar allows you to enjoy the benefits of solar power being generated in a remote location. Participants often subscribe for a portion of a larger solar installation, usually located in a field or on a property like a community center, school, or commercial building. The energy generated creates bill credits that may be allocated to your electric utility bills, thereby lowering your energy costs.

Benefits of Community Solar

Environmental Benefits: By participating in community solar programs, you support the development of solar energy, which is clean and renewable, producing no harmful emissions.

Cost Savings: As a subscriber, you may enjoy reduced costs on your electricity bill.

Access for All: Community solar programs make solar energy accessible to residents who may not have the means or a suitable rooftop for their own solar installations.

Local Economic Growth: Community Solar stimulates economic growth by creating jobs, attracting investments, and supporting local solar developers.

Energy Independence: Locally-produced community solar contributes to a more resilient local electric grid.

Enrolling in Community Solar

  1. Learn and Evaluate
    To get started in Massachusetts, please consult the Massachusetts Attorney General’s solar power consumer guidance page.

    New York customers, please continue to Step 2.

  2. Find a Community Solar Provider
    First, you need to find a community solar provider or project in your area.

    New York customers, visit:

    Massachusetts customers, visit:

  3. Contact the Provider
    Reach out to a community solar provider to express your interest and inquire about available subscriptions. You can typically do this through their website or by calling their customer service. The provider will review any eligibility requirements or restrictions with you.

  4. Credit Check and Agreement
    Some providers may perform a credit check to determine if you are eligible for subscription. You will also need to sign an agreement with the provider, which outlines the terms and conditions of your participation, including pricing and billing details.

  5. Billing Setup
    The provider will set up your billing arrangements. You’ll receive credits on your monthly electric bill for the energy produced by your share of the community solar installation.

  6. Start Receiving Credits
    Once the community solar project is operational, you will begin to receive credits on your electricity bill. These credits will offset a portion of your electricity costs. You will receive a bill from your Community Solar provider for the credits you receive on your electric bill. This is typically at a discounted rate, which is where you will see the savings.

  7. See Your Savings
    Your electricity utility bills will show the savings generated by your community solar subscription. You may have access to an online portal or app provided by your community solar provider, which will allow you to track your solar production and energy credits.

  8. Customer Support
    Any questions, issues, or changes to your community solar subscription will need to be done through your Community Solar Provider. National Grid cannot make changes to your Community Solar subscription plan.

Please note:

  • Any bill credits that you receive from the Community Solar provider will only apply to your electricity bill. They cannot be cashed out.  They are also non-transferable.
  • Bill credits received from your Community Solar project will only apply to your electricity bill, and not your gas bill.

Visit the Solar Marketplace

Partnering with EnergySage, we are proud to provide the Energy Marketplace, where you can learn more about solar, make informed decisions, obtain multiple quotes from pre-screened, local installers, and more.

MA Customers   NY Customers

 

Frequently Asked Questions

In New York, if you have solar panels on your property, you are not eligible for Community Solar. Also, you cannot participate in more than one Community Solar program at one time.

In Massachusetts, you are able to participate in more than one program at a time

Solar Bills

If you want to see what solar bills look like, you can learn about our bills here.

Understand Your Solar Bill