How to Sign Up for Community Solar: Step-by-Step Guide

Signing up for Altus Power Community Solar takes under 10 minutes. You upload a utility bill, confirm a few details, agree to the subscription terms, and that's it.

The Short Answer

To sign up for Altus Power Community Solar: (1) confirm Community Solar is available in your state and your utility participates; (2) gather a recent utility bill; (3) complete online enrollment in about 10 minutes; (4) wait 2-3 billing cycles for activation; (5) verify credits appear on your utility bill.

Before You Sign Up

Step 1: Confirm Community Solar Is Available in Your State

Community Solar exists in 23 states plus Washington, D.C. Largest markets: New York, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, Maine, Hawaii, Colorado, California, Oregon. Altus Power has active solar farms in nine states.

Step 2: Verify Your Utility Participates

Here is a quick guide to the utilities that Altus Power serves where we are currently accepting applications:

What You'll Need

1. A recent utility bill. All major file formats accepted: PDF, PNG, JPG, etc. You can also take a screen shot and upload that, as long as it’s clear and easy to read.

2. Basic contact info. Name, email, phone number.

3. Payment method. If your state and utility participate in Standard Dual Billing, you’ll need to enter your bank account or credit card info.

4. Time. 10-15 minutes.

No credit check. No social security number. No upfront payment.

The Signup Process (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Start the Online Application

Create an account at join.altuspower.com.

Step 2: Enter Your Service Address

Our system confirms eligibility based on zip code and electricity utility provider.

Step 3: Upload Your Utility Bill

This information is used to lock in your solar savings, as the size of your Community Solar subscription is based on your household's annual energy usage.

Step 4: Review the Subscription Details

In your Altus Power agreement, you’ll find...  

• Confirmation of your service address and utility provider

• Your fixed solar credit discount

• Contract terms like free cancellation and no additional or surprise fees  

Step 6: Set Up Payment Method

This applies only to applicants in a territory that participates in Standard Dual Billing. If your state and utility participate in Utility Consolidated Billing, you will not be asked to enter your payment information. You can read more about Community Solar billing here.

Step 7: Submit Application

You’ll receive an email confirming that your application has been received and will be reviewed within 1-2 weeks.

Total signup time: 8-12 minutes.

What Happens After You Sign Up

Activation (2-3 Billing Cycles)

After your application is approved and validated by your utility company, you’ll wait for 2-3 bill cycles for credits to start. Your electricity bills will continue as normal during this period.

First Billing Cycle with Credits

• Your utility bill will have a new line item: "Community Solar Credit.” This credit reduces what you owe your electricity company.

• If you’re on Utility Consolidated Billing, your solar discount is applied directly to your bill, and your final solar savings are deducted from your total due.

• If you’re on Standard Dual Billing, you’ll receive a separate smaller bill from Altus Power for your Community Solar Credit at your fixed discount. This bill can be placed on autopay. The combination of your utility bill and your Altus Power bil lare less than what you’d pay without Community Solar.

Ongoing

Same pattern monthly.

How to Verify Your Subscription Is Working

1. Does the utility bill show a "Community Solar Credit" line item?

2. Is the credit amount reasonable?

3. Does the discount on your Altus Power bill look correct?

4. Are your annual electricity costs less than before?

If anything looks wrong, contact Altus Power at hello@altuspower.com.

Common Signup Issues and Solutions

"Your address is not in a serviceable area."

Projects aren't available for your state or utility territory. Be sure to join our Waitlist and we'll email you when a project becomes available in your area.

"You are already subscribed to Community Solar."

Check your utility bill for any existing subscriptions.

"Your utility account cannot be verified."

This is usually the result of an unreadable utility bill. If you receive this email and believe it is a mistake, please email us at hello@altuspower.com and be prepared to re-submit your utility bill.

"You need to upload a recent utility bill."

Please upload a copy of a recent utility bill so we can assess your annual usage and size your subscription properly.  

"Your subscription will activate 2-3 billing cycles."

After Altus Power approves your application, your Community Solar subscription must be validated by your utility company. Once they validate your subscription, it takes 2-3 billing cycles for your utility company to apply your credits.  

Example: Maya's Signup in Albany, NY

9:02 AM: Started the online application.

9:04 AM: Entered zip code and NYSEG — confirmed eligibility.

9:06 AM: Uploaded PDF of last month's NYSEG bill.

9:08 AM: Reviewed subscription details: 10% guaranteed discount on monthly solar credits.

9:10 AM: Accepted agreement and submitted application.

9:11 AM: Received confirmation email.

Total time: 9 minutes.

8 weeks later: NYSEG bill showed $38 solar credit. After the 10% discount, $30 went back to Altus Power and Maya saved a total of $8 that month.

Canceling Community Solar

Cancelling with a reputable provider like Altus Power should be simple. To cancel or transfer your account:

1. Log into your online portal

2. Navigate to "Cancel Subscription"

3. Click to confirm your cancellation

4. You can also reach out to hello@altuspower.com to request your cancellation in writing

5. Altus Power will initiate the cancellation, and your subscription will end after 2-3 billing cycles

With Altus Power, there is no cancellation fee and no minimum commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does signup take?

About 10 minutes. Activation takes 2-3 billing cycles.

Is there a fee to sign up?

No. Legitimate programs have zero enrollment fees.

What do I need to sign up?

A recent utility bill, contact information, and a payment method (if your state and utility participate in Standard Dual Billing).

Do I need to tell my landlord?

No. Nothing physical changes at your property.

Can I sign up from my phone?

Yes. Altus Power's online application is mobile-friendly.

What if I change my mind?

With Altus Power, you can cancel anytime with no penalty.

How do I know my signup worked?

You'll receive email confirmation immediately. Once your account has been validated, you’ll receive credits within 2-3 billing cycles.

What if I have roommates?

Only one person signs up per utility account. The account holder enrolls.

Can I sign up for multiple subscriptions?

Generally no. One subscription per utility account.

The Bottom Line

Signing up takes under 10 minutes of effort, zero upfront cost, and savings start within 2-3 billing cycles.

The only care required is choosing the right provider and reading the contract before signing.

See Community Solar options in your state →

‍