Off-Grid Solar Sizing Calculator
Size an off-grid solar system with battery storage for autonomous living. Calculate panels, batteries, and charge controller requirements.
Community Solar Savings Calculator
Calculate your savings from a community solar subscription. Compare your utility rate to the community solar rate and estimate annual bill reductions.
kWh
panels
$/kWh
$/kWh
$/mo
%/yr
Monthly Utility Cost⧉
$144.00
Without community solar
Monthly Community Cost⧉
$123.00
25.0% rate discount
Monthly Savings⧉
$21.00
You save each month
Annual Savings⧉
$252.00
First year savings
Lifetime Savings⧉
$12,864.00
Over 20-year contract
Est. CO₂ Avoided⧉
90.7 metric tons
Lifetime carbon offset
Annual Savings Trend
1
2
3
4
5
10
15
20
Cost Comparison by Year
| Year | Utility Cost | Community Solar Cost | Annual Savings | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,728.00 | $1,476.00 | $252.00 | $252.00 |
| 2 | $1,780.00 | $1,495.00 | $284.00 | $536.00 |
| 3 | $1,833.00 | $1,515.00 | $318.00 | $854.00 |
| 4 | $1,888.00 | $1,535.00 | $353.00 | $1,207.00 |
| 5 | $1,945.00 | $1,556.00 | $389.00 | $1,597.00 |
| 10 | $2,255.00 | $1,662.00 | $593.00 | $4,139.00 |
| 15 | $2,614.00 | $1,776.00 | $837.00 | $7,819.00 |
| 20 | $3,030.00 | $1,900.00 | $1,130.00 | $12,864.00 |
Community Solar Billing Models
| Model | How It Works | Upfront Cost | Typical Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Credit | Credits offset your utility bill per kWh generated | None | 5–15% |
| Fixed Subscription | Monthly fee for share of farm output | None | 10–20% |
| Panel Ownership | Buy or lease individual panels in a farm | $500–$2,000 | 15–30% |
Planning notes, formulas, and examples
About the Community Solar Savings Calculator
Community solar (also called shared solar or solar gardens) lets you subscribe to a portion of a local solar farm without installing panels on your roof. You receive credits on your electricity bill for the solar energy your share produces, typically at a 5–20% discount to your utility rate.
Community solar is ideal for renters, homeowners with shaded roofs, condo/apartment dwellers, and anyone who can't or prefers not to install rooftop solar. Programs typically require no upfront cost and offer flexible contract terms (month-to-month or 1–2 year commitments).
This calculator estimates your annual savings by comparing the cost of your subscribed kWh at the community solar rate vs your utility rate. Savings depend on the discount offered, your subscribed share, and your utility's net metering or bill credit policy.
Integrating this calculation into regular energy reviews ensures that conservation strategies are grounded in measured data rather than assumptions about building performance and usage patterns.
When This Page Helps
Community solar subscriptions vary in discount percentage and terms. This calculator shows your actual dollar savings per year, helping you evaluate whether a specific program is worth joining.
How to Use the Inputs
- Enter the amount of energy you subscribe to in kWh per month.
- Enter your current utility electricity rate per kWh.
- Enter the community solar rate or discount percentage.
- Review your estimated monthly and annual savings.
Formula used
Monthly Utility Cost = Subscribed kWh × Utility Rate
Monthly Community Solar Cost = Subscribed kWh × Community Solar Rate
Monthly Savings = Monthly Utility Cost − Monthly Community Solar Cost
Annual Savings = Monthly Savings × 12Example Calculation
Result: $180/year savings
Subscribing to 500 kWh/month: Utility cost would be 500 × $0.15 = $75/month. Community solar cost: 500 × $0.12 = $60/month. Monthly savings: $15. Annual savings: $15 × 12 = $180. This represents a 20% discount on those kWh with no installation hassle.
Tips & Best Practices
- Typical community solar discounts range from 5–20% off utility rates.
- No upfront cost is required for most community solar programs.
- You can usually cancel or adjust your subscription with 30–90 day notice.
- Credits appear directly on your regular utility bill.
- Subscribe to enough kWh to offset your full bill for maximum savings.
- Community solar is available in ~40 states with active programs.
How Community Solar Programs Work
A developer builds a solar farm and sells subscriptions to local utility customers. Each subscriber is allocated a portion of the farm's output. The utility applies bill credits for that production. The subscriber pays the community solar provider directly (at a discount to their utility rate) and receives credits on their utility bill.
Comparing Community Solar to Rooftop
Rooftop solar offers greater savings (20–50% bill reduction) but requires home ownership, suitable roof, and $15,000–$30,000 upfront investment. Community solar offers modest savings (5–20%) with zero upfront cost and no installation. Community solar is the accessible alternative for those who can't go rooftop.
Finding a Community Solar Program
Search EnergySage or community solar marketplaces for programs in your area. Your utility may list approved providers on their website. Evaluate programs by discount percentage, contract length, cancellation terms, and any fees.
Sources & Methodology
Last updated:
Frequently Asked Questions
Community solar is a shared solar farm that multiple subscribers receive credits from. You subscribe to a portion of the farm's output, and the energy credits are applied to your utility bill. You don't need solar panels on your property. Programs exist in ~40 US states.
Most programs offer 5–20% savings on the subscribed portion of your bill. For a household with a $150/month electric bill subscribing to 100%, that's $90–$360/year in savings with zero upfront cost and no installation.
Most community solar programs require no upfront cost, credit check, or installation. Some programs offer higher discounts in exchange for a prepayment or longer-term commitment. Month-to-month programs are available in most markets.
Yes, community solar is perfect for renters. You don't need to own your home or have roof access. You just need a utility account in the participating utility's service area. This makes solar accessible to the ~50% of Americans who can't install rooftop solar.
Your share of the solar farm's production generates credits on your utility bill. If your share produces 500 kWh and the credit rate is $0.12/kWh, you receive a $60 credit. This offsets your electricity charges that month. Credits may vary seasonally with production.
Most community solar subscriptions can be transferred to a new address within the same utility territory. If you move outside the area, you can typically cancel with 30–90 day notice. Some programs have early termination fees for long-term contracts.
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