Community solar sounds complicated. It isn't. This guide explains what it is, who it's for, and how to enroll in about five minutes — no roof, no panels, no electrician required.
What Is Community Solar?
Community solar is a program that lets you subscribe to a share of a solar farm — one that's already built, somewhere in your state — and receive a credit on your electricity bill for the energy your share produces each month.
You don't own the panels. You don't install anything. You don't even visit the farm. You just sign up, and your share of the farm's monthly output gets credited directly to your utility bill, reducing what you owe.
Think of it like a streaming service, but instead of TV shows, you're getting discounted electricity credits. Your utility — BGE, Ameren, or whoever you pay — handles everything on the billing side automatically. The credit shows up as a line item on your bill: "Community Solar Credit." Your bill goes down. Nothing else changes.
How It Works: Virtual Net Metering
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The mechanism behind community solar is called virtual net metering. Here's the simple version:
A solar farm produces electricity. That electricity flows into the regional power grid. Your share of the farm's output is calculated monthly. Your utility applies that value as a bill credit — at a discounted rate compared to what they'd otherwise charge you for that electricity.
The word "virtual" means you're not directly connected to the farm. The farm might be 50 miles away. It doesn't matter — the utility is the intermediary, and the math is handled automatically on your bill.
Most programs offer subscribers a discount of 10–20% below the retail electricity rate. In Maryland, state law requires that community solar credits be priced below retail so subscribers always save. Maryland even has a hard floor: if your community solar output exceeds your monthly usage, you pay only the fixed customer charge — $9.65/month for BGE. That's the most you can owe for supply charges in a month of surplus.
Community Solar for Renters vs. Homeowners
Here's the key thing most people get wrong: community solar is not rooftop solar.
Rooftop solar requires owning your home (or landlord permission), a suitable roof (south-facing, unshaded, structurally sound), a credit check, a 20-year lease or $15,000–$25,000 purchase, and months of permitting and installation.
Community solar requires none of this. For renters and homeowners alike, the enrollment requirements are the same:
- An active utility account in your name (BGE, Ameren, Pepco, SMECO, etc.)
- A service address in an eligible utility territory
- About five minutes to complete an enrollment form
Renters are fully eligible. Maryland law ties community solar subscriptions to utility accounts — not properties. Your landlord has no involvement. You don't need permission, and your landlord can't block you. If you pay BGE directly, you can enroll today.
Homeowners with unsuitable roofs (shaded, older, wrong orientation) are also prime candidates. You get the savings without the installation headache.
Who Qualifies?
If you have an active electricity account with a participating utility, you likely qualify. In practice:
- Maryland renters with BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, or SMECO service — eligible today, no roof required
- Maryland homeowners who don't want panels, or whose roof doesn't qualify for rooftop solar
- Illinois residents with Ameren Illinois service — the state runs its own community solar program
- Small businesses and commercial tenants with an active utility account
You do not need a certain credit score. You do not need to own your home. You do not need to pass an inspection. The main requirements are: active utility account in your name, located in an eligible service territory.
Most states with community solar programs allow low-income subscribers to access additional bill credits or prioritized enrollment. Maryland's program scores a perfect 13 out of 13 on the 2025 Community Power Scorecard for consumer protections — one of the strongest programs in the country.
How Much Can You Save?
The typical household saves $150–$400 per year on electricity. The range depends on three things:
- Your monthly usage. Higher usage means more of your bill is offset by community solar credits.
- The discount rate of your plan. Most plans offer 10–20% below retail. Locking in a higher discount matters more as utility rates rise.
- What your utility charges. As utility rates increase — and they are increasing — the dollar value of a percentage discount grows. A 15% discount off 20 cents/kWh is worth more than a 15% discount off 16 cents/kWh.
BGE customers in Maryland are currently paying around 19.87 cents per kilowatt-hour, above the national average. BGE raised rates three times in the first three months of 2026, and is required to file another rate case before the end of this year. Every rate increase BGE makes increases the dollar value of your community solar discount.
Illinois customers on Ameren are paying approximately 18.82 cents per kilowatt-hour on average, after a $48 million ICC-approved delivery hike in December 2025. The same dynamic applies.
How to Enroll
Enrollment is straightforward. Here's what happens:
1. Check your savings. Visit SunFunnel's savings calculator, enter your ZIP code and average monthly bill. You'll see your projected annual savings and available plans for your utility territory. No personal information required at this step.
2. Pick a plan. SunFunnel surfaces plans matched to your utility territory, ranked by discount rate, contract flexibility, and developer track record. Most plans are month-to-month or 1–2 year terms. No 20-year commitments.
3. Complete enrollment. You'll need your name, service address, utility account number (on your bill), and email. No credit card. No deposit. No equipment.
4. Wait for activation. Typically 4–8 weeks. Once active, a "Community Solar Credit" line item appears on your bill every month. Your bill goes down automatically — no action required on your end after enrollment.
Already enrolled somewhere? Compare your current plan → Switching is allowed, and sometimes the math warrants a move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is community solar in simple terms?
A: Community solar lets you subscribe to a share of a solar farm. Your share's monthly electricity output is credited to your utility bill at a discounted rate — typically 10–20% below what your utility charges. No installation required.
Q: Is community solar available for renters?
A: Yes. Community solar subscriptions are tied to utility accounts, not properties. If you have an active electricity account in your name, you can enroll — no landlord permission needed, no installation required.
Q: How is community solar different from rooftop solar?
A: Rooftop solar installs panels on your property and requires ownership, a suitable roof, and significant upfront cost or a long-term lease. Community solar requires none of this — you subscribe to an existing farm remotely with no installation and no property requirements.
Q: How long does it take to start saving with community solar?
A: Activation typically takes 4–8 weeks after enrollment. Once active, community solar credits appear on your monthly utility bill automatically. There's nothing to monitor or manage after signup.
Q: Can I cancel community solar if I move or change my mind?
A: Most plans allow cancellation with 30–90 days notice. Many are month-to-month with no long-term commitment. SunFunnel prioritizes plans with flexible exit terms in its recommendations.
Ready to see your savings? Run your free savings estimate → Takes two minutes, no commitment required.
Related Reading
- BGE Raised Rates Again in 2026 — Here's How Maryland Homeowners Are Pushing Back
- Maryland Is Fighting Back Against BGE — But Relief Hasn't Arrived Yet. Here's How to Lock In Savings Now
- Ameren Illinois rates are rising — and they're just getting started. Here's how to opt out.
- How Maryland Renters Save 10–20% on BGE Bills with Community Solar (2026 Guide)
StarShine LLC helps Maryland and Illinois homeowners, renters, and businesses access community solar savings. Questions? Reach us at sunfunnel@polsia.app.