A community solar garden (CSG) is a solar array that supplies electricity into the local power grid. Members to the CSG earn solar credits on their utility bill even though the CSG is not located on their property. When you join a CSG, you will be supporting clean energy while cutting your electricity costs by approximately 10-15%..
Becoming a member is easy. If you are looking to reserve your spot right away, you can enroll online in under 10 minutes, here. If you’d like help with your enrollment or just want more information for now, you can fill out the form at the bottom of this page. One of our team members will contact you to help finish the application process and answer any questions you may have.
We get this all the time! to guarantee you these savings is because this program is a win-win for all parties involved. You get to be a part of this solar garden that saves your money and helps the local community. The utility company gets closer to their renewable energy goals and gains a more resilient and stabilized local power grid. Your membership allows us to construct these solar gardens – which benefits local farmers, the environment and Surrounding communities!
If anything the catch is based on availability and eligibility. Space in each garden is limited to local households on a first come first served basis, and availability is dependent on where you live.
You can find a community solar garden near you, here. Or, give us a call at 651-347-1101. We’d be happy to help determine which local community solar projects you are eligible for and answer any other questions you may have.
You should join a community solar garden if you want to save money, are looking to make a positive environmental impact, and help transition to a sustainable energy future without investment cost or hassle! Also, you are supporting local jobs as well as landowners in your area that are hosting these gardens.
As a subscriber, you will experience no change in how you receive your electricity.
Nope! Community solar offers a way for virtually anyone to go solar without installing solar panels on their roof or their property. You get all the benefits of clean energy without having to change or install anything at your home, property, or business.
We have very flexible terms for transferring or cancelling your membership. You are able to do so at any time without penalty, we just need up to 60 days to process this with your utility company. If you move somewhere locally that is within eligible territory, we may be able to transfer your membership to your new home. Otherwise, we will take care of finding someone to take over your spot in the solar garden.
It’s free to join and there are no taxes or hidden fees. You’re guaranteed to save money on your electricity bill!
A subscription for the average household using 12,500 kWh save an estimated $125 annually.
Your savings are equal to the difference between the bill credits you receive from your utility and the discounted payments you make to Join Solar. We don’t know the exact amount you’ll save because everyone’s electricity usage is different, but we can estimate the energy production and corresponding bill credits to give you an idea of what to expect. Savings to you are guaranteed but will vary based on a few factors, including actual weather conditions and how fast the utility’s rates increase each year.
You only pay for the energy that is produced. This means that if production is lower, you may not save as much money as expected, but you are not harmed financially. This structure incentivizes us to use quality materials and to maintain the solar garden properly. Keep in mind that not all years will produce the same amount of energy. Some years may have less energy, and some years may produce more, but as long as the garden is producing energy you are saving money.
When you join a community solar garden, you’ll be assigned a share of the solar panels to meet your electricity needs, based on your annual kWh energy use. Each month as your share produces electricity, the amount of electricity generated is applied to your utility bill in the form of a solar credit, deducting it from the amount you’d owe to your utility. One month later, you pay us back for the credits you received at a fixed discount rate, saving you money and directly supporting this local renewable energy project.
Each member is allocated a share of solar panels based on their historical electric usage that can be adjusted over time as needed. This ensures members can maximize their savings by receiving the right amount of solar credits.
Each month, you’ll first see your solar credits applied to your utility account, reducing your electric bill. Next, we’ll send you a statement that verifies that credit amount and what you’ll pay us back for those credits at the fixed discount rate. There are no taxes or added fees, and all maintenance and repairs are our responsibility. The average household saves about 10% – 15% on their annual electricity costs.
Your solar credits will be applied towards both the supply and delivery charges of your utility bill.
Click here to view a basic overview of the program from Maine’s Public Utilities Commission, who regulates the program.
Solar credits will be posted to your utility account monthly and will detail the kilowatt hours of energy generated in the garden on your behalf. The solar credit will be applied to the total bill amount that is due.
Click here to view a basic overview of the program on Xcel Energy’s website. This program started in 2013 with the MN Public Utilities Commission.
Each month, you’ll first see your solar credits applied to your utility account, reducing or eliminating your electric bill. Next, we’ll send you a statement that verifies that credit amount and what you’ll pay us for those credits at the fixed discount rate. On the 30th of the month that payment to us will be processed automatically. We enroll our members in autopay for convenience and simplicity, so beyond signing up your savings are entirely hands-free! There’s nothing else you will ever be charged for aside from the previous month’s credits, as the cost of all maintenance and necessary repairs are on us. The average household saves ~10% on their annual electricity costs.
For example, Nick joined a community solar garden and is excited to start saving on his monthly utility bill. The solar project started generating energy on November 1, and on Nick’s December utility bill, he saw a solar credit of $100. At the end of December, Nick will pay $90 to the project (Novel) for that credit, saving 10%!
Your premise number can be found on pg 2 of your monthly utility bill under the ‘Electricity Service Details’ summary.
You can access our membership portal, here.
This is likely because you haven’t linked your subscription to your username. To do this, hover over My Account List which will drop down an options menu. You will want to click on “Link New Account” and use your Bill Account Number and Pin that were sent to you when your garden went live to link the subscription to your username. If you need your PIN and Bill Account number resent to you, please email success@joinsolar.org.
Log in to the portal, click on button below “Payment Options” on the My Account List page which will prompt you to update your payment information.
Log in to the membership portal, go the My Recent Bills tab and click “View” on the left hand of the screen. This will bring you to a new page where you can download the statement.
Apply today to join your community solar garden!
Can’t find a solar garden in your area? Interested in learning more about community solar energy, or participating in one of our webinars? Sign up for our newsletter below to stay in the loop.