Do I Need a Minimum Credit Score to Qualify for Community Solar?

Unlike many other Community Solar programs out there, Altus Power’s Community Solar does not require a minimum credit score for applicants.

‍Not requiring a minimum credit score doesn’t just make Altus a rarity in the Community Solar sector, it also helps make the benefits of solar power more accessible to more Americans. Historically, consumers with low or no credit weren’t able to enjoy the benefits of solar — be it Community Solar or rooftop solar. In fact, credit score is one of the factors that make 77% of U.S. residential households likely ineligible for rooftop solar, according to Greentech Media.

The Low-Income Solar Policy Guide notes that disparities in credit scores “limit access to third-party ownership or financing arrangements for solar for the very populations that could most benefit from the low-upfront cost options.”

The Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, meanwhile, reports that 30% of low-income consumers are “credit invisible” — in that they have no credit score or borrowing history — and that income-based solar participation gap is especially evident when considering that 90% of solar installations occur in high-income households with credit scores of more than 680.

But Altus Power’s Community Solar doesn’t require subscribers to have rooftops or credit scores.

Prospective subscribers, however, must meet other eligibility requirements, which vary by each utility that connects an Altus solar project with a subscriber’s household. For instance, utility companies typically require Community Solar applicants to have an electricity bill in their name, to not already have solar panels installed, and to not already be signed up to another Community Solar program. Some utility companies also restrict Community Solar program participation by length of residency and minimum electricity usage. These regulations vary from utility to utility and state to state, so we always advise interested consumers to check their eligibility.

If you’re a renter and your landlord pays the bill for your electricity, you might not be able to join a Community Solar program. Often, landlords will include electricity costs in tenants’ rent, sometimes divvying up the costs by unit square footage.

By the same token, renters often aren’t eligible if their apartment building has one utility meter (called a “master meter”) instead of individual meters. That said, landlords — at least, those who are interested in saving their tenants money — may be able to sign up their building meter for Altus Power’s Community Solar, depending on the size and electricity usage of the building.

Again, renters are always free to check their eligibility by submitting an application, and property managers can partner with Altus Power to make their tenants’ electricity usage cheaper and greener. Get in touch at hello@altuspower.com if you’re a property manager interested in getting your residents on board.

Through Community Solar, subscribers across many U.S. states access the benefits of solar energy while supporting green energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Even better, they can save 5-20% on their annual electricity costs, depending on location. And even better, the Community Solar program requires no upfront costs or fees, no panels to install or utility changes, and no long-term contracts.

Check your Community Solar eligibility and start your application by heading to join.altuspower.com, and send any questions to Altus Power’s Customer Experience Team at hello@altuspower.com.