Tips About Community Solar
Thinking about Subscribing to Community Solar? Ten Questions You Should Ask
Whether to subscribe to a community solar project is an important financial decision that can involve a long-term commitment. Before subscribing to a community solar project, it is important to understand the potential costs, risks and benefits. Carefully review the subscription contract before signing it and, as always, be wary of a high-pressure “buy now or lose out” sales pitch.
Below are questions to ask a developer to help you decide if community solar is right for you.
1. What does it mean to be a subscriber and what am I actually buying?
A subscriber commits to purchasing a portion of the solar energy produced by a shared system, or in rare cases the subscriber purchases a portion of the system itself. Developers typically offer a “pay-as-you-go” subscription plan in which you make monthly payments for the energy produced. Some developers might request a larger one-time fee that covers the life of the agreement (typically, 20-25 years). In either case, you still get your utility bill credit for the energy output.
Paying upfront provides a precise cost for a subscription, and there may be an opportunity for greater long-term savings. But it may involve more risk because unforeseen events could affect the project’s future energy production. A pay-as-you-go plan requires less or no money down and may reduce a subscriber’s risk if a system underperforms.
In either case, your contract with the solar developer should state whether you, the developer, or the utility will own the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC), which represents the legal rights to the environmental benefits from renewable electricity generation and can be bought and sold. Different arrangements may exist, so it is important to know what your contract says about ownership of the certificate.
2. If I participate in a pay-as-you-go plan, will my payment increase over time?
Most pay-as-you-go subscriptions contain a “price escalator.” This means you start with a specific subscription fee that will increase each year, typically based on the price paid per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar energy produced. When deciding on a pay-as-you-go subscription, make sure you understand not just the initial monthly fee, but also the annual price escalator and how it will be calculated.
In the LMI-Accessible CSG Program, your subscription payment is tied to your subscription savings. As your bill credits change due to changes in solar production and/or changes in bill credit rates, your subscription costs will vary accordingly. At no time may your subscription costs exceed your subscription benefits.
3. What is the duration of my subscription?
Depending on the specific project, your required commitment is often 20-25 years, but in limited instances, may be year-to-year. Before signing any subscription contract, you should be clear about what you are committing to, how subscriptions may be transferred or terminated, who is responsible for this transfer and whether there are penalties for early termination.
4. What happens if I move?
You can often retain your subscription if you move within the same utility service territory (or for many projects in Xcel territory, within the same or adjacent county where the community solar project is located). If you are not able to keep your subscription, there may be options to sell or transfer it to another eligible subscriber. Make sure you understand the restrictions that may apply if you move, including whether you would be charged an early termination fee or be held responsible for finding someone to take over your subscription.
5. How much solar should I get?
In Xcel territory, your subscription must not exceed 120% of your average annual electric usage. The typical Minnesota home uses about 800 kWh each month, or 9,600 kWh per year. To fully meet that need requires about 8 kilowatts of solar capacity.
But every home is unique, so before choosing your subscription level, review your previous year’s utility bills so you know your actual usage. Also keep in mind that through efficiency or a move to a smaller home, your energy use may go down during the life of your subscription. Check whether the contract will allow or require you to adjust or re-size your subscription.
6. How does the credit appear on my electricity bill?
There are two options, depending on the specific project and participating utility. With the monetary credit model, your monthly electric bill will show a credit based on the dollar value of your share of the project’s energy output. With the energy credit model, your share of the project’s energy output is subtracted from the energy usage shown on your monthly bill.
7. How do I tell if a community solar offer is legitimate?
Commerce provides a list of garden operators that are approved to operate in the LMI-Accessible CSG Program. It does not provide an equivalent list of community solar developers serving other programs in the state. While there are many reputable developers, you should always—as with any important financial decision—be alert for the red flags of a possible scam. For example: Are you being pressured to make a quick decision or payment before you’ve been allowed to review the entire contract? Are you being promised an “inside deal”? Is it hard to get detailed information you can follow up on? Are you being promised or “guaranteed” cost savings that seem unrealistic? Does the sales representative claim to work on behalf of a utility without being able to show you their credentials?
8. Is an upfront payment or deposit required?
A developer may ask for an initial payment or deposit. However, you should not make any payment until you have researched the developer and thoroughly reviewed the contract. Be clear about whether, and under what terms, the payment is refundable. It is a red flag if a developer pushes you to make an immediate payment without allowing you reasonable time and opportunity to evaluate the subscription offer.
In the LMI-Accessible CSG Program, garden operators are prohibited from charging any fees to income-eligible subscribers at the time the subscription is executed.
9. If the project underperforms or the developer goes out of business, will I lose money?
Community solar developers are not regulated by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, so it is your responsibility as a consumer to choose wisely. You should research a developer’s track record and check references. Confirm that the developer has insurance and warranties for production, maintenance and repairs. Be sure you carefully review your subscriber contract and fully understand all the terms and conditions before signing it. Pay particular attention to your rights and obligations if the developer defaults on the contract or a disaster (such as a fire or tornado) damages or destroys the project.
In the LMI-Accessible CSG Program, you are only allowed to be billed subscription fees that are based on the actual production from your subscription share. These fees can never be more than the bill credits generated by the project for the respective month.
10. When will the community solar project be built and operational? Is it in the ground? Is it waiting for approvals from local government officials and/or the utility?
Project lead times can vary. While the installation might take only weeks or a few months, the necessary prior approvals to build a community solar project can take much longer, depending on the utility and location. Ask about the possible timeline and make sure it is suitable to you.
More Questions?
Commerce is here to help.
If you have questions about subscribing to community solar, contact the Commerce Department’s Energy Information Center by email at energy.info@state.mn.us or by phone at 651-539-1886 or 800-657-3710 (Greater Minnesota).
Additional Resources
A Community Solar Gardens Online Resource, prepared by the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), offers comprehensive information and tools to help consumers who are interested in community solar.