About 50% of US households can't install rooftop solar — because they rent, have shared roofs, have shading issues, or have structurally unsuitable roofs. Community solar fills this gap and is one of the fastest-growing segments of the solar market.
What Is Community Solar?
Community solar (also called "solar gardens" or "shared solar") lets you subscribe to a share of a large solar farm — usually within your utility territory. The solar farm generates electricity, and your utility credits your bill for your share of the production. You get solar savings without anything installed on your roof.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Rooftop Solar | Community Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Who can use it? | Homeowners with suitable roofs | Renters, condo owners, anyone |
| Upfront cost | $0–$30,000 | Usually $0 |
| Typical savings | 70–100% of bill | 5–15% on subscribed portion |
| Federal tax credit | ✅ Yes (if you own) | ❌ No (farm owner gets it) |
| Contract length | 25-yr warranty, own forever | 1–20 year subscription |
| Portability | Stays with house | Often transferable |
| Maintenance | Your responsibility | Provider's responsibility |
How Community Solar Subscriptions Work
- You sign up for a subscription (e.g., 5 kW of a community solar farm)
- The farm produces electricity and sells it to your utility
- Your utility credits your bill for your share of production — typically at a 5–15% discount to the retail rate
- You pay the community solar provider a slightly lower rate than the utility credit you receive
Community Solar Programs by State
Community solar availability varies dramatically by state. The largest programs are in:
- New York: NY-Sun Community Distributed Generation — credits at full retail net metering rates
- Minnesota: Xcel Energy Solar*Rewards Community — 120% of retail rate credits
- Colorado: Xcel Energy Solar Garden — competitive subscriber rates
- Massachusetts: Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) — incentive payments plus bill credits
- Maryland: Community Solar Pilot Program — 10–15% bill savings typical
Is Community Solar Worth It?
For renters or those who can't install rooftop solar, community solar is almost always worth it — savings with no upfront cost and no installation. For homeowners who can install rooftop solar, the math strongly favors rooftop: federal tax credit, higher savings percentage, and long-term equity in the system.
💡 Can't install rooftop solar? Search "community solar [your state]" plus your utility name to find available programs. Most have no upfront cost and straightforward cancellation policies.