Everything You Need to Know About Community Solar
Community solar lets homeowners and renters cut their electricity bills 10–20% with no rooftop installation, no upfront cost, and no long-term commitment. This guide organizes all 14 of our published articles by topic so you can find exactly what applies to your situation.
Maryland Savings & Rate Guides
BGE, Pepco, and Delmarva Power rates have climbed sharply over the past two years — and more hikes are already approved. These guides cover how community solar credits offset those increases, with real bill examples and current program data across Maryland’s utility territories.
BGE’s 2026 rate hikes explained — and how community solar subscribers are offsetting them with guaranteed monthly bill credits.
Read article →The RELIEF Act passed the House 108–25, but hasn’t become law yet. Community solar delivers guaranteed savings now — no Senate vote required.
Read article →Side-by-side bill comparisons across BGE, Pepco, and Delmarva — with savings calculations for low, average, and high-usage Maryland homes.
Read article →BGE-focused savings guide for renters — covering how VNM credits work, which utilities qualify, and how to enroll with no upfront cost.
Read article →New to community solar? Start with how it works ↓ · Renting? See Does Community Solar Work for Renters?
How Community Solar Works
Most people who could benefit from community solar don’t know it exists. These guides cover the fundamentals — what it is, how credits appear on your bill, who qualifies, and how to enroll in Maryland — with no technical background required.
The complete beginner’s guide: how solar farms generate credits, how those credits reduce your utility bill, and who can enroll. No jargon.
Read article →What to check before signing up, which programs are available by utility territory, what happens at enrollment, and when your first credit appears.
Read article →Community solar requires no roof, no landlord permission, and no installation. Maryland apartment and condo renters qualify across BGE, Pepco, Potomac Edison, and Delmarva.
Read article →Once you understand the basics: see how much Maryland customers actually save ↑ · or compare community solar to rooftop panels ↓.
Community Solar vs Other Options
Community solar and rooftop solar are often mentioned in the same breath, but they serve different households and have entirely different economics. This section lays out the differences clearly — who each option works for, what the upfront costs are, and what actual savings look like over time.
Side-by-side comparison of cost, eligibility, contract terms, and real savings — for renters, homeowners, and people who aren’t sure which option applies to them.
Read article →Real bill credits with no installation, no roof, and no upfront cost — but savings are 10–20%, not transformative. Here’s who benefits most, who should skip it, and what the numbers actually look like.
Read article →Not sure community solar is right for you? Start with how it works ↑ · or calculate your estimated savings.
New York Community Solar
New York is the second-largest community solar market in the US. Con Edison, National Grid, and PSEG Long Island customers can save 10–20% on supply charges with no installation — including renters in NYC and Westchester.
How the CDG/VDER program works for Con Edison, National Grid, and PSEG Long Island customers — with real savings examples and a step-by-step enrollment guide.
Read article →How VDER bill credits appear on Con Edison and National Grid statements — with real savings calculations for small, medium, and large NY households by utility territory. Con Edison customers save $180–$480/year.
Read article →New to community solar? Start with how it works ↑ · See how NY compares: Community Solar vs Rooftop ↑.
Illinois Community Solar
Illinois is one of the fastest-growing community solar markets in the country. Ameren Illinois customers have absorbed multiple rate increases in the past 18 months, and the state’s CEJA-backed programs offer a clear path to locking in savings before more hikes arrive.
The ICC-approved delivery hike, summer supply spikes, and forecasted 60% increase by end of 2026 — and why community solar is the opt-out that doesn’t require installation.
Read article →How CEJA reshaped Illinois’s solar market, what programs are available in Ameren and ComEd territories, and what savings look like for Illinois subscribers in 2026.
Read article →How Adjustable Block Program bill credits appear on ComEd and Ameren statements — with real savings calculations for low, average, and high-usage Illinois households. Ameren customers at 900 kWh/month save $121–$133/year.
Read article →New to community solar? Start with how it works ↑ · Maryland resident? See Maryland rate guides ↑ · New York resident? See New York guide ↑.
See how much you can save on your electricity bill
No roof. No installation. No upfront cost. Enter your zip code to get your personalized community solar savings estimate.
Calculate My Savings →