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How Does Community Solar Work?

Go Solar. No Roof Required and $0 Down with Community Solar.

Want to do something good for the planet and your community? Community Solar is a convenient way to go solar, with all of the environmental impact and none of the hassle. Get A Free Quote
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What is Community Solar?

Clearway Community Solar is a solar energy sharing program.
Solar panel connected to a community of housesWe create power in numbers and a collective difference through community support of a solar farm that generates solar energy for an entire area.
Three people icons with a lightbulb above them inside a circleClean solar energy from our solar farms is sent directly to the local power grid, and subscribers receive solar credits to help with their electricity costs.
At the foundation of our Community Solar farms are residents like you who help support clean power. It's never been easier to make a difference for the planet and for your electricity costs. Take a look at our community solar projects in New York, Minnesota, Illinois, and Massachusetts, including the gallery of solar farms in Massachusetts.

Learn More – Watch a Video

Why Choose Community Solar

Your Benefits
No Drawbacks

Locally Produced Solar Energy

Solar with No Rooftop Installation

A Transparent Pricing Structure

No Ongoing Maintenance Costs

An Easy Sign Up Process

$0 Down

Helping Create Local Jobs

No Additional Upfront Costs

Contact a Solar Specialist

Free Solar Consultation

By clicking the ‘SUBMIT’ button above, you agree to the Privacy Policy and you authorize Clearway Community Solar LLC to contact you for marketing purposes at the telephone, email or mobile number you entered using automated telephone technology including auto-dialers and text messages, even if your telephone or mobile number is currently listed on any state, federal, or corporate “Do Not Call” list, and you are not required to give your consent as a condition of purchase.

The Community Solar Process

Clearway Community Solar builds and operates solar farms in your local community. Our dedicated, professional teams maintain them year round, so that your roof, and your time and effort, are removed from the equation.

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Clearway Community Solar Farm produces 100% renewable electricity

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The Solar power generated is delivered directly to your local power grid

Yellow icon of a shining lightbulb

You receive solar credits on your utility bill that reduce your charges.

The solar farms are supported by subscription plans from eligible community members. You are the foundation that makes the Community Solar farms possible.

Community solar farm in the fall

What Makes Community Solar Different?

Community Solar stands out from rooftop solar and renewable electricity options, providing a more accessible way to support a greener tomorrow. Learn how our program differs from programs like rooftop solar or wind power, and see what your investment means for our environment.

Community Solar vs. Rooftop SolarEnvironmental Impact
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Understanding Your Costs

We have developed a transparent pricing structure that can help you lower and even offset utility costs over time with solar bill credits. Your plan is customized for your home based on factors like your unique energy usage and the solar farm's production. Learn more about our quotes.

How Pricing Works

What Are the Next Steps for Me?

Our enrollment process is easy and transparent, and our solar specialists will support you every step of the way.

  1. White checkmark iconSign up for Community Solar with $0 due at signing and lock in pricing for the term of your agreement.

  2. White solar panel icon with the sun above itYou are matched to an off-site solar farm in your community that is shared by other Community Solar customers in your area.

  3. White truck iconSolar energy generated from your community's solar farm is injected into the local utility's power grid.

  4. White icon of a piggy bank with a dollar sign in the middleEach month, you will receive solar bill credits for the solar power produced from your subscription. The solar bill credits can lower the balance from your utility and result in long-term savings.

Ready to Join Our Community?

The process is simple – no upfront costs or hidden fees, and no roof required. Join Community Solar today for a greener tomorrow.

Free Solar Consultation

By clicking the ‘SUBMIT’ button above, you agree to the Privacy Policy and you authorize Clearway Community Solar LLC to contact you for marketing purposes at the telephone, email or mobile number you entered using automated telephone technology including auto-dialers and text messages, even if your telephone or mobile number is currently listed on any state, federal, or corporate “Do Not Call” list, and you are not required to give your consent as a condition of purchase.

See What Our Customers Have to Say

I would recommend clearway to all my friends it has saved me money on my energy bills my only concern is the surprise catch up months that tend to be high-end cost and catch you off-guard

Randy

Minnesota Customer

Saves me money and with the auto pay makes it so easy.

Leon

Massachusetts Customer

I’m very pleased that Clearway has lowered my utility bill while helping safe the environment.

Juan

New York Customer

Love Clearway. Very happy we signed on.

Roland

New York Customer

I am very satisfied with Clearway. We have produced enough energy over the summer that reduced our bills.

Robert

New York Customer

Not convinced yet? Read all of our customer reviews.

FAQs

  • What is Community Solar?

    Community Solar, sometimes called “shared solar,” is a solar energy sharing program that offers universal support of renewable energy to residents (homeowners and renters alike), businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, hospitals, faith-based organizations, and municipalities without solar panel installation on properties. Customers subscribe to a local solar farm to support renewable power for their community, and in return, receive bill credits (which we call “solar bill credits”) that help reduce utility charges. The program is a convenient, roofless solar solution that helps customers save on energy costs, while also bringing local jobs and economic development to communities.

  • How does Community Solar work?

    First, Clearway Community Solar builds and operates offsite, local solar farms within the communities we serve. The solar farms, and the solar energy generated, are supported by local residents, municipalities, businesses, and other organizations that subscribe to a portion of the solar farm. Then, the power generated by the subscriber’s solar farm allocation is sent directly to the local power grid, which means that polluted power on the grid is replaced with renewable solar energy, helping reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Rather than sending power to an individual home, the power goes to the wider community. The renewable attributes (“RECs”) of this electricity are sold by Clearway to keep the cost of subscriptions affordable. Next, in return for supporting renewable power, subscribers receive solar bill credits, (or “Net Metering Credits”), for the solar generation in that month. The solar bill credits help reduce utility charges. Lastly, customers are charged by Clearway for the cost of the solar bill credits according to the rate specified on their Clearway Customer Agreement. The program is designed to help customers save on power over time.

    Clearway subscription offers vary between regions.

  • What are the benefits of Community Solar?

    New Community Solar subscription benefits include ease of access to supporting renewable power (no rooftop installations), environmental benefits, and energy savings.* Community Solar offers a convenient and practical way to support locally produced, renewable power generation without solar panel installation on a residential or business property. Because Clearway Community Solar builds and maintains the solar farms, rooftops are taken out of the equation. There is additionally no home inspection requirement and no ongoing subscriber maintenance. There are no upfront costs, enrollment fees, or maintenance fees with Clearway Community Solar subscriptions. When customers go solar with a Community Solar subscription, they subscribe to a local solar farm that sends its output of renewable solar energy to the power grid, helping reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. The environmental benefits of Community Solar subscriptions contribute to a shift to a clean energy future and help mitigate the impact of climate change. And, based on a customer’s energy usage and the solar farm’s output, subscriber agreements are designed for savings on electricity costs. Plus, the construction and maintenance of local solar farms provides new local jobs for communities.

    *Clearway subscription offers vary between regions and savings benefits may vary.

  • How is Community Solar different from rooftop solar?

    While both programs have meaningful environmental impact, the most significant difference between rooftop solar and Community Solar is that with Community Solar, solar panels are not installed on a subscriber’s property and the power is not sent directly to a customer’s home. Instead, customers subscribe to an offsite solar farm — rather than solar energy being generated by and for one property, the output from Community Solar farms goes directly to the power grid, sending renewable energy to the wider community. Key differentiators include convenience and upfront costs. Rooftop solar requirements include adequate roof space and access to sunlight, along with upfront permitting and installation fees that can become costly. Once a rooftop solar system is installed and activated, a homeowner is responsible for the maintenance of the panels, if they own the panels. By contrast, with Community Solar there is no associated costs to sign up and no maintenance fees. Home visits are not required. Both solar options, rooftop solar and Community Solar, include long-term contracts.

  • Who is Clearway Community Solar?

    Clearway Community Solar is a developer and operator of local solar farms that manages customer subscriptions to the solar farms. Clearway Community Solar is the largest Community Solar provider in the United States, with over 20,000 residential and small business customers, and over 100 municipal and commercial subscribers. Clearway Community Solar is a division of Clearway Energy Group, one of the largest clean energy companies in the nation.

  • Is Clearway Community Solar a utility company?

    Clearway Community Solar is not a utility company, nor does Clearway Community Solar replace a utility company or utility charges. Clearway Community Solar customers will continue to receive a bill from their utility company; utility charges are reduced by the solar bill credits. Customers are responsible for any remaining balance to their utility bill. Clearway customers are invoiced separately by Clearway for their Community Solar charges, or the cost of their solar bill credits, at the rate determined by the customer’s Clearway Customer Agreement.

  • Is Clearway Community Solar a Retail Electric Supplier?

    Clearway Community Solar is not a Retail Electric Supplier or Alternative Retail Electric Supplier (ARES). Clearway Community Solar does not provide energy supply to a customer’s property. The solar power generated by Community Solar farms is sent to the local power grids, rather than directly to a customer’s property, replacing polluted energy sources on the grid with 100% renewable power from a solar farm. Customer’s receive solar bill credits for the solar power generated by their subscribed allocation of a solar farm. These solar bill credits help reduce utility charges in return for the support of renewable power generation, but the solar power itself does not go to a customer’s property and the solar farm output does not replace a customer’s energy supply.

  • Do Clearway Community Solar customers receive Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)?

    No, Clearway Community Solar customers do not receive Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) as a result of their Clearway subscription. The RECs are sold by Clearway to third parties, such as local utilities, to ensure states reach their renewable energy goals required by state mandates and to keep the cost of subscriptions affordable. Customers instead receive solar bill credits for the solar power generated by their subscribed allocation of a solar farm. These solar bill credits help reduce utility charges.

  • What areas does Clearway Community Solar service?

    Clearway Community Solar currently offers Community Solar subscriptions in Massachusetts, Minnesota, Illinois, and New York (Hudson Valley) and additionally provides service to Colorado customers. To find out if a home or business is in our serviceable footprint, you can contact one of our Energy Consultants at 1-866-520-2711 or communitysolarsales@clearwayenergy.com.

  • Does Clearway have a customer referral program?

    Yes, active Clearway customers can refer their friends and family to Clearway’s program in return for a reward. When a new customer enrolls through Clearway’s referral program, both the new customer and the referring customer will receive a reward, in the form of an Amazon promo code or bill credit. To refer a friend or family member, email communitysolarsales@clearwayenergy.com. See our current referral offer and full program terms and conditions here..

  • Does the solar power generated by the Community Solar farm go to a subscriber’s home or business?

    No, the solar power generated by a subscriber’s Community Solar farm allocation does not go directly to a home or business or directly contribute to a home or business’ energy supply. Instead, the solar power generated by a Community Solar farm goes to the power grid, replacing polluted energy with renewable energy and sending that energy out to the local community. Even though the solar energy does not directly supply a home or business’s electricity, Community Solar subscribers receive solar bill credits, or Net Metering Credits, for the energy generated by the allocation of the farm. These solar bill credits help reduce or offset utility charges.

  • Is Clearway Community Solar a good way to save money?

    Yes, Clearway Community Solar can help you reduce your energy charges. When you subscribe, the solar power generated goes directly to the power grid. In return for your subscription and support of local renewable power, you receive solar bill credits applied to your utility bill. These credits help reduce your monthly utility charges. Clearway is paid separately for the cost of the solar bill credits, at a rate designed to help you save.

  • Is Community Solar a good deal?

    Community Solar offers a way for your home or business to support local renewable solar power without installing any panels on your property. In return for your subscription, the solar bill credits you receive reduce your utility charges. Benefits of joining a Community Solar farm include no panel installation, no enrollment costs, no green energy premium charges, no retail electric gimmick rates, and reduced utility charges thanks to the solar bill credits. Finding ways to support renewable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels is of growing importance as communities combat climate change.

  • How do Community Solar companies make money?

    The development of Community Solar farms is financed by lenders. The Community Solar model for making money, and paying back investors, includes subscriptions, Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), and tax incentives. Subscribers to Community Solar farms receive solar bill credits applied to their utility bill in return for their support of local renewable power. They pay Clearway for the cost of these solar bill credits at a rate designed to help customers save after paying their utility bill (reduced by the solar bill credits) and Clearway bill. In some states, renewable energy mandates require that a certain amount of power come from renewable energy resources. The utilities will purchase the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from the Community Solar company to ensure that the utility is meeting the renewable energy requirement. Investors also receive tax benefits for their solar investment.

Additional Resources

FAQs

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Community Solar 101

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Solar Glossary

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Bright Ideas Blog

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