Solar panels are practically magic, turning abundant sunshine into free energy. They save owners a ton of money over time — but they do come with up-front installation costs not everyone can afford.
If you want to get in on massive solar savings but don't want to install your own panels, community solar might be right for your household.
What is community solar?
Community solar programs allow you to subscribe to solar panels somewhere other than your house. You will still get electricity through the wider grid, just like normal, so there is no direct power from a solar farm. However, you're paying a lower amount to support electricity from such a solar farm, which then feeds into the wider grid with a goal of reaching or exceeding what its customers are drawing.
There's no installation cost for community solar because there's no new wiring or equipment needed at your home. You're still getting the same reliable power as always from the grid — it's just solar instead of dirty energy.
Why is community solar important?
If you're on a budget, community solar is the way forward. Switching to solar will immediately slash the average customer's electric bill by a noticeable amount. Solar marketplace EnergySage says its users save from 5% to 15% off their annual electric costs by making the switch.
Community solar is also one of the best ways to make a difference in your environment. Instead of causing air pollution and contributing to heating up the planet by using dirty energy sources, you're using affordable and harmful energy.
Even better, when you use community solar, your money will directly support your local solar project. Solar farms are more likely to expand, and new solar projects are likely to be started when there are a lot of people willing to sign up for solar power.
How much of a savings am I going to see?
The exact amount varies by location, season, your previous utility provider's prices, and the community solar program you choose. However, if your usual monthly bill is $100 and your solar program is 10% cheaper, that's $120 per year you've saved — all without any construction or installation needed. EnergySage will help you find a program and sign up for free.
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