Massachusetts Community Solar Contract Terms
Understand how contract terms and solar bill credits work for Community Solar farms in MA.
What are the Current Community Solar Contract Terms for Clearway’s Massachusetts Program?
Clearway Community Solar has installed solar photovoltaic systems in Massachusetts as part of the SMART program initiative. “SMART” stands for Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target. The program is designed to work alongside your local utility. When you participate as a subscriber to your selected solar farm, you will receive solar bill credits that are applied to your utility bill to help offset the cost of the electricity your home uses. Below are some highlights of how Clearway’s Community Solar program works.
As of January 2021, here are key facts to know about Clearway’s Massachusetts Community Solar contract, or the “Customer Agreement.”
Clearway Community Solar Agreement Quick Facts
Guaranteed Savings
Clearway customers will receive a 7% discount every month on the cost of the solar bill credits that are applied toward reducing your utility bill. So for every $1.00 reduction of your utility bill, customers only pay Clearway $0.93.
- It’s important to understand that your monthly payments to Clearway will vary due to the variance in monthly solar production, Weather, the time of year, cloud cover, etc. all impact how much solar energy is produced through our local solar farms. However, your monthly payment will always include your 7% discount.
- After you become a Clearway subscriber, you will continue to receive a utility bill. The solar bill credits from Clearway appear directly on your utility bill, reducing overall the amount you owe to your electric utility. You are still responsible to pay any remaining balance owed to your utility each month.
- So, you will receive two separate bills each month: one from your utility and one from Clearway Community Solar that reflects the monthly charge for your solar bill credits. The charge from Clearway will be at the rate featured in the Customer Agreement, with any applicable discount applied, including the 7% guaranteed savings discount.
- The 7% discount rate is locked in for the full 20-year term of your agreement.
You can cancel anytime during your agreement with us. The 20-year term exists to benefit you — locking in your 7% savings assurance for a full 20 years. See cancellation terms below! - If you sign up for AutoPay, your account will be credited $40 credit after three consecutive months of automatic payments have been applied.
Flexible Cancellation Terms
You may cancel your agreement within three (3) business days of the date on which you sign it at no cost.
- If you wish to cancel your agreement after three (3) business days, you may do so anytime by providing at least sixty (60) calendar days’ notice.
- The utility may take up to 6 months to process your transfer off of an active solar farm. You will still receive the solar bill credits during this period and are responsible for payment to Clearway.
Cancellation Fee
Canceling your Clearway subscription costs $0.
Moving
If you move, you can continue to be a customer if you are within the same service territory. All you have to do is provide Clearway with your new electric utility account number so that your agreement will remain in effect pending utility approval.
Subscription System Size
Your Community Solar System Allocation Amount will be established based on your historical annual usage but may be adjusted during the term.
How Does a Community Solar System Work?
Clearway Community Solar Systems are solar photovoltaic systems, called Community Solar farms, located in your current electric utility service territory. Community Solar farms enable Massachusetts residents to participate in using solar energy as a renewable resource without installing solar panels on their homes. In many cases, you can participate in Community Solar even if you are renting and do not own a home. Clearway is the largest Community Solar provider in the United States, with the largest Community Solar farm in the country located in Spencer, MA.
More Information on Community Solar, Net Metering, and the SMART Program
Clearway Community Solar is a solar energy sharing program that allows customers to support solar through a subscription. Unlike rooftop solar, which requires a large and suitable rooftop for photovoltaic panel installation, Community Solar customers don’t need to install anything. Instead, Community Solar companies like Clearway generate power through Community Solar farms. These solar farms supply energy directly to the power grid. Residents and business owners can subscribe to Clearway’s Community Solar farms and receive solar bill credits on their utility bill, reducing their overall energy costs. Here’s how that’s possible in Massachusetts.
The net metering rules in Massachusetts make no distinction between solar electricity that’s generated “behind-the-meter” (i.e. electricity produced where it’s also consumed) or “virtually” (i.e. electricity generated at a location that is not where it’s consumed). This means that customers who rent, lack a suitable roof, or just don’t want to hassle with rooftop solar, can subscribe to a Community Solar farm like Clearway and benefit from net metering by earning solar bill credits. Clearway subscribers get to save money and invest in clean energy, all without any PV panels on their roof or property.
The SMART program is the state’s newest solar initiative. A tariff-based incentive program, it allows solar producers — including community solar farms like Clearway — to receive payment for the solar power they generate. The payment rates are fixed for a set number of years based on the size of the solar producers’ capacity, and further compensation is available for solar producers that invest in and develop more solar capacity. With Clearway Community Solar, these SMART payments become solar bill credits that reduce customers’ monthly utility bills.
To learn more about the Clearway Community Solar Farms in your area or read our full contract terms, we encourage you to reach out to one of our Solar Consultants now. Participating in Community Solar is a great way to reduce your utility costs and support a renewable future for generations to come. Contact us today.
Savings based on a guaranteed 7% discount on the solar bill credits generated by your allocation from the Community Solar system. The impact of the solar bill credits on the utility charges can vary month to month due to seasonal variances affecting solar energy production. Actual savings may vary in the event the customer (i) cancels early, (ii) does not receive credits, or (iii) receives a reduced credit amount due to utility errors or delays. Clearway is not responsible for utility delays in applying solar bill credits. Refer to the community solar contract for agreement terms.
Customers may cancel their Clearway Community Solar subscription with a minimum of 60 days’ notice. Customers on active farms who receive invoices from Clearway Community Solar will be required to pay their invoices for up to 6 months of billing after expiration of the 60-day notice period. Subject to the terms of the Community Solar Agreement. Subject to credit approval and a 20-year agreement.
