Homeowners, renters, and business owners alike can all look to community solar as a way to save energy and protect the environment. For Ian Dorsey, President & CEO of Mast Landing Brewing Company, community solar was the perfect solution to a long-term desire for his company: to reap the environmental and financial benefits from solar without an upfront financial investment that a small craft brewery can’t afford.
Continue readingCategory Archives: Community Solar
Community solar billing: top 4 things to know
If there’s one thing that’s less-than-appealing about community solar, it’s the billing process; there are a number of companies and steps involved, so it can be difficult to grasp exactly what will come in on that first monthly bill. To make it a bit easier, we’ve broken down the top four most important things to know about community solar billing:
Continue readingCommon misconceptions about community solar
At EnergySage, we get a lot of questions about community solar. And that’s to be expected: community solar is a relatively new energy option for many states, and there’s a lot of misinformation about how it works. Well, we’re here to set the record straight – here are some of the top misconceptions about community solar:
Continue readingCommunity solar: which project should you subscribe to?
So there are a few community solar options available in your area – which one should you subscribe to? Whether you’re trying to decide between multiple community solar offers or considering just one, here are the most important questions to ask when choosing the right project for you.
Continue readingCancelling a community solar contract: what’s involved?
In the past, long-term contracts have been a major barrier to widespread community solar adoption: 10, 20, or 25-year long agreements left many hesitant to subscribe, and understandably so considering how unpredictable the future is (2020 being the BEST example of that).
Fortunately, this has changed: community solar contracts today are much more flexible than they used to be, and many options allow you to sign up with no commitment and opt-out early for free. That said, there is still no standard when it comes to community solar cancellation policies – they can vary by project, utility, and community solar company, so it’s important to review the specific cancellation terms of your community solar agreement prior to signing on the dotted line.
Continue readingCommunity solar savings: why do seasons matter?
Community solar is one of the easiest ways to save on electricity bills. However, as you compare your options, you’ll notice that most community companies won’t provide an average monthly savings estimate, and there’s a very good reason for this – truthfully, your bills and savings can vary quite a bit from season to season. We’ll dive into why below.
Continue readingNew York community solar: everything you need to know
New York has one of the most active community solar markets in the country. Curious about what’s driving community solar’s growth in the Empire State? Or are you wondering about community solar in general? Below we provide an overview of community solar and the incentives available in New York. Then, we’ll give you some tips on how to find a project that’s right for you.
Continue readingVirtual net metering: What is It? How does it Work?
As community solar gains more attention in the U.S., more and more homeowners are hearing about a solar incentive referred to as “virtual net metering.” Thus, the question everyone is asking is fairly obvious: what exactly is virtual net metering, and how does it work? We’ve got the explanation.
Continue readingSharing the sun: Community solar gardens taking off around US
With strong government incentives and falling equipment costs, going solar has never made more financial sense on such a broad scale. Testament to this is the tremendous increase of the number of American homes & businesses with solar panels on their roofs in recent years. But at the same time, not everyone has a roof of their own, and even those who do might have one that is shaded or otherwise unsuitable for solar. Community-owned solar projects – sometimes called community solar gardens, or shared solar farms – promise a way for the roofless and ‘roof-impaired’ to go solar. Continue reading
Top Community Solar States: Minnesota vs California, Massachusetts Colorado Community Solar
Community solar – the concept of leasing or owning a share of a large solar array rather than having a personal solar installation on your rooftop – continues to gain popularity across the continental United States. According to the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA), there will be a 1.8 gigawatt (GW) increase in installed photovoltaics from community solar arrays over the next five years. Minnesota, Colorado and California – the undisputed best states for community solar – will drive the majority of that growth. You might wonder, why are these states so ideal for roofless solar compared to the 47 others in the U.S.? Here’s how these community solar leaders rose to the top.