Frequently Asked Questions

What is community solar and how does it help?

Community Solar enables any residential utility customer to take advantage of solar power, even renters! Enjoy the freedom of going solar with nothing on your roof or property. There is no hassle or maintenance and you start saving on green renewable power immediately.

Do you serve my area?

Click “Subscribe Now” on the top right of our homepage and provide your state, utility company name and zip code, so we can determine the best program in your area if one is available.

Do I qualify?

Whether you’re a renter, a condo or apartment dweller, or a homeowner you qualify for Community Solar. Click here to request a quote and find out how much you could be saving on your energy bill.

How does community solar work?

The process is simple. First, choose how much solar energy you want. You can offset a part of your energy bill, or all of it. Then, each month you pay your community solar rate. This rate applies to only you and your follow community solar participants. If you use more electricity than your share of community solar, you’ll pay your normal electric rate for the excess.

How much money down is required?

Nothing.

How long is the commitment?

Contracts vary based on your location. Please contact us at [email protected] for more specific information.

How do I make payments?

Monthly electronic withdrawals from a checking or savings account or in some locations credit card payments. CityCom Solar will notify each subscriber with an electronic copy of the invoice prior to initiating the electronic withdrawal.

Is my banking information safe?

Absolutely. CityCom Solar works regularly in keeping customer information secure. The banking information is destroyed and does not reside on any computer network once entered into our secure payment system.

How much does it cost and how much will I save?

The monetary kilowatt hour credits purchased as a result of your subscription will be able to offset all per kilowatt hour supply and delivery charges on your residential utility bill. The price you will pay per kilowatt hour will be a guaranteed discount to the current solar credit rate in your area.

What if I am on Budget Billing with my utility?

At the moment, customers on Budget Billing with their local utility that participate in Community Solar are not being properly credited. We are currently working with the New York Public Service Commission to figure out a way for Community Solar customers to receive credits properly while maintaining Budget Billing. However, you do have the ability to OPT OUT of Budget Billing with your utility and start saving with Community Solar.

What happens if the amount of kilowatt hours allocated and purchased by me from the Project for a particular month exceed my usage for that month?

Excess kilowatt hours purchased and allocated from the Project will carry over on your monthly utility bill to the following month and each succeeding month until used in full. They are not lost as long as you remain a subscriber and in your current residence. Under normal weather conditions, the excess allocation typically happens in a summer month. As a subscriber, the excess kilowatt hours continue to carry over until months where the kilowatt hours allocated and purchased from the Project are less than your monthly usage. This kilowatt hour shortage will typically happen in a winter month. The excess kilowatt hours carried over to these months are used to reduce the shortage.

What happens if the amount of kilowatt hours purchased and allocated from the Project for a particular month are less than my usage for that month?

In this case, your bill from your utility will show a net usage amount. If, after applying any carry over credits (see question above), a net usage amount remains, you will be billed by utility and/or ESCO for such net usage amount at your utilities delivery rates and your utility and/or the ESCO’s retail supply rate.

What if I purchase my electric supply from a third-party ESCO instead of my utility?

As long as the third-party ESCO supply charges are included on your utility bill, (known as consolidated billing), the solar credits you purchase will be able to offset all supply and delivery per kilowatt hour charges on your residential utility bill. If you are billed and pay for your supply charges directly to the third-party ESCO and not through your utility, then the solar credits you purchase will be able to offset only the delivery per kilowatt hour charges on your utility bill.

What if I have an on site solar system at my house or business?

If you currently have a solar energy system located on your property used to offset electricity for a particular utility account, then you are not eligible to enroll that utility account in this program.

Does this change my relationship with my utility?

Not at all. The utility delivers electricity to your home as usual and will continue to service all equipment and resolve all power outages. Community Power Partners will handle all communication with your utility regarding your enrollment in Community Solar. Even if the utility rates change, or if you sign up for electric competitive supply services through a third-party, you can continue to earn solar credits at a fixed discount.