Community Solar programs have become a talking point around the United States as more and more customers realize Community Solar is an option for saving money while supporting clean power. But we’ve noticed some misconceptions in the discourse, so we’d love the chance to separate fact from fiction.
Here are 10 misconceptions about Community Solar — and the reality behind each one.
- “I can’t afford Community Solar”
Not only is Community Solar available to people of all income brackets, but in some states there may be additional benefits specifically for households that qualify as low-to-modern income. As the World Resources Institute reports, Community Solar benefits low- and moderate-income communities by offering savings in electricity costs, mitigating environmental impacts, and improving community resilience.
- “Community Solar raises electricity rates for all ratepayers.”
Community Solar has no impact on the rate you pay for electricity or your home electricity supply, because Community Solar is not an energy supplier. On the contrary, Community Solar lowers your energy costs thanks to the solar credits that are applied to your bill.
- “Community Solar is difficult to join.”
All it takes is a few minutes to apply for Altus Power’s Community Solar program, and all that’s required is a copy of your current utility bill. Plus, Altus Power’s Customer Experience Team is available to answer any questions along the way.
- “Community Solar costs money to join.”
With Altus Power, there are no upfront costs or fees to subscribe to Community Solar — in other words, it’s completely free to sign up. Once you’re subscribed, you’ll pay Altus Power for the solar credits you receive on your utility bills each month at a discount, meaning you’ll be paying less total than you would be without Community Solar.
- “Community Solar has long-term contracts.”
Altus Power’s Community Solar subscribers can cancel at any time with no strings attached and no long-term commitments. Cancellation requires action from your utility company, so it might take a few billing periods for your utility to process the cancellation, and you’ll continue to receive solar savings during that timeframe.
- “Community Solar requires solar panels to be installed on my home.”
With Community Solar, there’s no equipment to install. Instead, you’re subscribing to a nearby solar project virtually. That makes Community Solar accessible to households that don’t have enough roof space (like a townhome or apartment), don’t receive enough sunlight, don’t own their property, or can’t afford to install solar panels.
- “Community Solar is only available to homeowners.”
Community Solar is available to homeowners and renters alike. In fact, you can take your Altus Power Community Solar subscription with you if you move to another area serviced by the same utility or to another area that Altus Power services.
- “Community Solar energy directly powers my home.”
The energy generated by Community Solar projects goes to a utility’s grid, not directly to your home. “As a Community Solar customer, you wouldn’t get the exact electrons that are being produced by the system,” Ben Delman, senior director of communications at the nonprofit organization Solar United Neighbors, explained to CNET. And as Community Solar programs power local grids, those grids become more efficient and more resilient.
- “Community Solar isn’t worth it.”
If you’re an Altus Power Community Solar subscriber, you’re guaranteed solar savings between 5 to 20%, depending on your location. That’s not all — you’re also helping your community become less reliant on energy derived from fossil fuels.
- “Community Solar is too good to be true.”
Community Solar is a win-win for subscribers and their communities — and a win-win-win for subscribers, their communities, and Altus Power. Solar farms transform underutilized spaces into productive sources of clean energy, and Community Solar maximizes the potential of these solar farms. For example, solar installations on large warehouse roofs typically generate far more electricity than the building can use. Community Solar solves this problem by feeding the excess clean power generated from the solar project back into the grid, without costly transmission upgrades, where communities can receive the benefits of clean power, while subscribers save money.
Interested in getting started with Community Solar?
Reduce your monthly power bill and help your community go green with Community Solar.
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