What is Community Solar?
Community Solar is enabled by the Solar MA Renewable Target (SMART) program, which encourages the development of solar farms as a way to meet aggressive clean energy targets over the next few years. In MA, about 65% of energy is created by natural gas, which causes price increases every winter as there is not enough pipeline capacity to meet the needs of the state following the closure of dirty, coal power plants.
With community solar farms, multiple utility customers can receive bill credits and cost savings for helping green the power grid, including renters and low income customers.
Community Solar is the EASIEST way to go solar, reduce your carbon emissions, save money and help Massachusetts get more cleaner, cheaper energy into the generation mix!
How does it work?
1. Link your electric bill to a solar farm
Connect your existing electric account with a nearby solar farm. You just need a copy of your recent utility bill. Enroll online in under 2 minutes, completely free.
2. Start generating solar power
When there is sunshine, the solar farm generates power and feeds it to your community’s electric grid.
3. Receive solar credits
Your utility bill is credited for the amount of solar energy that was generated for you during this billing cycle, reducing what you owe the utility (see example below).
4. Pay for your solar credits
A few weeks after your lower utility bill arrives, you pay your solar farm directly for your solar credits at the guaranteed discount of 10-15%.
Example Utility Bill with Solar Credits
Click image to expand & zoom
We 💘 our customers
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to start receiving solar credits?
Community solar credits will start reducing your utility bill about 2 to 3 billing cycles after enrollment, if the project is live. If a project is under construction, it may take 3-8 months for credits to start, but rest assured, your spot is reserved! Your first e-statement from the solar project will be after your credited utility bill arrives.
Can I transfer the program if I move?
You can transfer the program if you move within the approved region for the project. Simply call or email the developer to confirm. If your consumption is much higher or lower at the next property, you may ask the developer to adjust your solar credit allocation.
What if I move out of the area or wish to cancel? (ie. getting solar on the home)
There are no exit fees for residential consumers. Please provide 90 days (or as much as possible) notice to the solar project ahead of a move/cancellation so they can assign solar credits to other customers and stop allocating them towards your account.
Once you move, contact Finray Solar to see if we have a solar farm with availability in your new area.
How are credits calculated?
The solar farm will allocate credits for 90% of your historical consumption with your utility (based on past 12 months). If your usage increases (ie. you buy an EV), you may contact the solar project and ask for them to recalculate your share of credits. If you don’t use up all your credits in a given month, they will roll over to the following month.
Annually, NationalGrid/Eversource will provide a monetary credit for the kWh not applied to prior bills at the avoided cost of power.
Save money and the environment
By applying with a local solar farm, you can earn bill credits for the lifetime of the system (up to 20 years) and SAVE THOUSANDS of dollars!
You also help fund the building of new solar farms, which allows for more homes to connect to a renewable source, and reduces America’s dependency on fossil fuels (ie. natural gas, oil, coal).
Join us on OUR MISSION to connect 500,000 Americans to clean energy by 2030, enroll today!
Enroll and Start Saving
Each solar farm has limited spots based on production capacity, and they fill up quickly!
Note: Unitil Customers must email our customer support at [email protected] for enrollment assistance
Standard
Eversource and national grid
For residential customers:
- Credit Score of 650+ is required.
For business customers:
- Credit approval required;
- Very limited capacity for large businesses.
Discounted LMI
eversource and national grid
- No credit check required!
- Living in a low-moderate income community: check availability map;
- Or, rate classed as R2 (low income discount) by the utility;
- Or, receiving other form of government assistance (proof is required);
- Cannot be more than 3 months past due on the current utility bill.
Enroll with Ampion
Fill the fields and click Next Step. You’ll be taken to Ampion to complete enrollment (takes 2 minutes).
Enroll today
Fill the fields and click Enroll Now (takes 2 minutes). Our representative will contact you by the end of the next business day to complete your enrollment.
Still have questions?
Learn more about Finray Solar — WHO we are, WHAT we do, and WHY.
Or, feel free to Contact Us to ASK A QUESTION. We look forward to speaking with you. And we are excited to help you connect your home to a discounted clean source of electricity!