What is community solar?
Community solar is a way for people to access the benefits of solar energy without installing solar on their home.
In community solar, a company develops and installs a large solar array. Residents who are within a certain area around that solar installation can subscribe to the project and virtually purchase a share of the solar energy generated by the project. Community solar arrays can be located on the ground, on a large rooftop (a warehouse for example), over a parking lot or even on landfills or brownfields.
What is community solar?
Community solar is a way for people to access the benefits of solar energy without installing solar on their home.
In community solar, a company develops and installs a large solar array. Residents who are within a certain area around that solar installation can subscribe to the project and virtually purchase a share of the solar energy generated by the project. Community solar arrays can be located on the ground, on a large rooftop (a warehouse for example), over a parking lot or even on landfills or brownfields.
How does community solar work?
Currently 22 states have passed legislation which creates a community solar program. Specific rules governing how and where community solar projects are developed and how local residents can subscribe to the project vary from state to state.
In most states with community solar programs, when a resident subscribes to a community solar program they get two electric bills – one from their current utility and one from the company who manages the community solar project they have subscribed to. Any solar energy purchased from the community solar project offsets an equivalent amount of energy on their electric bill from the utility.
How does community solar work?
Currently 22 states have passed legislation which creates a community solar program. Specific rules governing how and where community solar projects are developed and how local residents can subscribe to the project vary from state to state.
In most states with community solar programs, when a resident subscribes to a community solar program they get two electric bills – one from their current utility and one from the company who manages the community solar project they have subscribed to. Any solar energy purchased from the community solar project offsets an equivalent amount of energy on their electric bill from the utility.
Why consider community solar?
Community solar is a great option for many people. Here’s why:
Why consider community solar?
Community solar is a great option for many people. Here’s why:
Community solar in New Jersey
In 2019, New Jersey established a 3 year community solar pilot program. A total of 252 applications were received and in December, the state granted approval for 45 community solar projects with a total capacity of 75 megawatts (MW).
The program was so successful in the first year that in October of 2021, the state decided to make the program permanent rather than wait for the conclusion of the pilot program.
In October of 2021, the community solar pilot program was also expanded, doubling the amount of new community solar capacity in the state to 150MW. Out of a total of 412 applications, 105 community solar projects were approved. Those projects are currently being developed and installed and most are open to subscription.
In order to ensure that there is equitable access to the benefits of community solar, New Jersey requires that 51% of the program capacity is reserved for low to moderate income households.
Other rules which benefit consumers (fair pricing, no long-term commitment, cancellation fees, etc)
Community solar in New Jersey
In 2019, New Jersey established a 3 year community solar pilot program. A total of 252 applications were received and in December, the state granted approval for 45 community solar projects with a total capacity of 75 megawatts (MW).
The program was so successful in the first year that in October of 2021, the state decided to make the program permanent rather than wait for the conclusion of the pilot program.
In October of 2021, the community solar pilot program was also expanded, doubling the amount of new community solar capacity in the state to 150MW. Out of a total of 412 applications, 105 community solar projects were approved. Those projects are currently being developed and installed and most are open to subscription.
In order to ensure that there is equitable access to the benefits of community solar, New Jersey requires that 51% of the program capacity is reserved for low to moderate income households.
Other rules which benefit consumers (fair pricing, no long-term commitment, cancellation fees, etc)
Find out if you’re eligible for community solar
There are many companies who have been approved for community solar projects in New Jersey – you can find the full list here. To find out if you’re eligible, you can visit a company’s website and see if they have a project in your area.
We’ve chosen to partner with Solar Landscape. Here’s why:
Find out if you’re eligible for community solar
There are many companies who have been approved for community solar projects in New Jersey – you can find the full list here. To find out if you’re eligible, you can visit a company’s website and see if they have a project in your area.
We’ve chosen to partner with Solar Landscape. Here’s why:
Home solar isn’t right for everyone. But if you live in New Jersey and have a utility bill, chances are that you can save money right away by signing up to purchase solar energy from a local community solar project.
We’ve partnered with the leading community solar company in New Jersey, Solar Landscape. Learn more about them by clicking the button below.
If you sign up with them, be sure to enter the promo code “Sentinel” and they’ll give you a $50 gift card.
Home solar isn’t right for everyone. But if you live in New Jersey and have a utility bill, chances are that you can save money right away by signing up to purchase solar energy from a local community solar project.
We’ve partnered with the leading community solar company in New Jersey, Solar Landscape. Learn more about them by clicking the button below.
If you sign up with them, be sure to enter the promo code “Sentinel” and they’ll give you a $50 gift card.
Have questions on community solar or anything else? Send us a message and we’ll answer ASAP.
Have questions on community solar or anything else? Send us a message and we’ll answer ASAP.
Learn about solar
Find honest answers to some of the most commonly asked questions on home solar and clean energy.
Learn about solar
Find honest answers to some of the most commonly asked questions on home solar below.
