Your “Community Solar” Questions Answered!
We’ve kept you updated on Illinois’ community solar program with past blog posts. But we still get questions regularly about this exciting new program. So we’re happy to give you an update with some commonly asked questions!
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To ensure that the community solar program continues to bring solar opportunities to everyone, we must pass Illinois’ Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA). Take action with us today and tell your legislator to pass CEJA this Spring!
Is the community solar offer I got in the mail (from Nexamp, Clearway, US Solar, etc.) “too good to be true”?
Community solar allows you to save money and help Illinois meet its renewable energy goals! That sounds too good to be true, but it’s not! Community solar is a legitimate program that was created by the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and is offered to Ameren and ComEd customers. Community solar allows households that may not have an opportunity for a solar project on their own property, such as renters and those with shaded roofs or limited incomes, to come together as subscribers in a community solar project. There are solar lease opportunities and alternative retail electric suppliers that offer solar and these should not be confused with community solar projects.
How do I save money with community solar?
You pay a subscription fee to a company to help fund the construction and operation of a solar farm. The solar farm then sells the power to the utility and in return, you receive a credit on your electric bill for your share of the electricity generated. The credit received on your bill is usually greater than your subscription fee, and savings of 10-20% are usually realized. For most, but not all, community solar offers you’ll have two bills, your solar subscription bill for your share in the farm, and you’ll keep getting your regular electric bill, with monetary credits for the solar energy your subscription generates.
What company has the best offer?
Our partners at the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) have prepared a comparison chart of eight different company’s community solar offers. CUB recommends comparing multiple offers and understanding all the terms before signing up for community solar. Always read your contract thoroughly. Thank you to CUB for their continued work providing details on the program and these offers!
What should I look for in a contract?
Here are some questions you should think about when looking at and comparing community solar offers.
- What is the subscription fee and how is it paid (kw/hr, monthly, yearly, etc.)?
- What are the estimated savings and are they guaranteed?
- What is the contract length and are there cancellation fees?
- How will they bill you (electronically, paper bill)?
- Does the community solar company require access to and control over your utility account?
How is the Solar For All community solar program different?
The Solar for All community solar program was also created by FEJA in order to promote equitable access to the solar economy through program incentives that help low-income and environmental justice communities get access to solar. Households with annual income equal to 80% or less of the median area income can subscribe to a community solar project in their utility territory and earn monetary credits on their electricity bills. There is a Solar for All community solar project in Urbana that is currently taking subscribers in Ameren territory. Go here to learn more and see if you qualify! Also, feel free to contact Kim Knowles on our staff for more information about Illinois Solar for All, kknowles@prairieirivers.org.
Does the power generated at the solar farm provide the electricity to my home and does the project need to be in my community?
No, the power generated at the solar farm is sent to the grid. As described above, you receive the monetary credit for the power produced. In fact, the solar farm you subscribe to might be in a different county. The only limitation is that Ameren customers must subscribe to projects in Ameren territory and ComEd customers must subscribe to projects in ComEd territory.
If I don’t sign up soon, will there be more chances in the future?
In 2019, over 900 potential projects competed to receive the state credits available for community solar, and just 112 were selected. Many of those projects are now under construction and are on a timeline to be energized by early 2021. While subscriptions are still available, the program capacity is filled, and new community solar applications are currently being put on a waitlist. To ensure that the community solar program continues to bring solar opportunities to everyone, we must pass Illinois’ Clean Energy Jobs Act. Take action with us today and tell your legislator to pass CEJA this Spring!
