Community Shared Solar
For Individuals
Want to learn more about community shared solar? Visit the main CSS page!
How can individuals participate in the community shared solar (CSS) market?
To participate in Community Shared Solar (CSS), we recommend first identifying which benefits of CSS you are most interested in. Do you want to save money on your electric bill? Offset your carbon emissions? Maybe you would like to have ownership over the operation of the system, or the flexibility of a short-term contract?
Since there are quite a few CSS models, you can choose a model that best meets your needs and then you can search for, join, or create a project under that model. The table below outlines some of the common models of CSS to get you started.
Are You A Resident of MetroWest?
For residents of the MetroWest region of Greater Boston, MAPC recently released a multi-municipality Request for Information (RFI) to solicit information on projects to which residents in MetroWest would be eligible to subscribe.
Check out our MetroWest Community Shared Solar RFI webpage for more information and details on how to subscribe.
Models for Community Shared Solar
Subscription Model
System Owner and Operator:
A third party owns and operates the system. There is usually a primary (or anchor) offtaker, such as a municipality or private business, who subscribes to a significant portion of the system.
Benefits:
Reliable electricity savings with low commitment requirements
Length of contract:
Can range from short (1 year) to about 20 years
Who would be a good fit to participate?
Anyone. Renters may find this model particularly beneficial due to the availability of short-term contracts.
Ownership Model
System Owner and Operator:
Residents either own a share in the company or a share in the system. A third party operates the system.
Benefits:
This model is set up as an LLC, which allows residents to have partial ownership with comparatively low time investment
Length of contract:
Long-term (typically 20 years)
Who would be a good fit to participate?
Homeowners and long-term renters who can make a long-term commitment to a share.
Cooperative Model
System Owner and Operator:
Residents own the system and have joint decision-making power
Benefits:
This model is set up as a Co-Op instead of an LLC.
Length of contract:
Long-term (typically 20 years)
Who would be a good fit to participate?
Homeowners and long-term renters who can make a long-term commitment to a share, and would like to be involved in the operation of the system.
What to Look for in a CSS Project
To compare projects and determine which CSS project is the best fit for you, it helps to know what to look for in the project model, subscription type, and contract terms.
Use the chart above to consider which model of CSS would be the best fit for you. For individual projects, you will want to know:
- How will Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) be distributed? Who will retain these to be able to claim the system as a GHG emission reduction measure?
- Will the project be able to use local, state, or federal incentives? How will the financial benefits of these incentives be distributed?
- Who is involved in the project, and what roles will they play in the development, ownership, and operation of the system?
Resources
Below are links to more resources on Community Shared Solar to help with your research:
SEIA Consumer Protection Factsheet
The Solar Energy Industries Association has set consumer protection standards for solar developers to follow. These are outlined in their factsheet.
NREL List of Consumer Protection Resources
This site from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory includes resources on assessing all types of solar PV systems, providing a deep dive on best practices to consider in a developer and in a contract.
CESA Consumer Protection for Community Solar: A Guide for States
The Clean Energy States Alliance put together this guidebook and webinar to help state governments protect residents and businesses in the development of CSS. It can be helpful for individuals as well.
SEIA Residential Consumer Guide to Community Solar
SEIA also published this longer guide for residential customers on community solar and what to look for. This resource is a companion to SEIA’s Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power, which covers systems more generally.