Community Solar, Explained Simply.
Save on electricity through local solar projects — without rooftop panels, upfront costs, or switching utilities.
No rooftop installation
No upfront costs
Keep your existing utility
Typically save 10–20%
Solar Savings. Delivered to you.
It’s simple. It’s local. And it saves you money consistently. Learn more below, or through our Community Solar 101 Series .
A solar farm makes electricity
A nearby community solar project generates clean energy and sends it to the grid.
Your utility credits your bill
Your utility calculates your share of the project and applies credits to your bill to reduce what you owe.
You keep the savings
You pay a portion of the credit value back to the solar farm, and keep the rest as savings.
Why these programs exist
Built to expand clean energy access
Community solar was designed to make renewable energy benefits available to more people, while helping states add more clean power to the grid.
Learn more about why community solar exists →
Expanding access to renewable benefits
Community solar helps renters, businesses, apartments, and homes without suitable roofs participate in clean energy — without installing panels themselves.
Helping states meet clean energy goals
States support community solar because shared local projects help add more renewable power to the grid while giving customers a direct bill-credit benefit.
Community solar vs. rooftop solar
Which is the better fit for you?
Depending on your goals, rooftop solar or community solar may be the best path to energy savings. Learn which option works best for your property, budget, and lifestyle.
Rooftop Solar
- Long-term ownership value
- Direct on-site energy generation
- Potential tax incentives
- Requires suitable roof conditions
- Typically involves installation costs
Community Solar
- No upfront installation
- Works for renters & businesses
- No equipment maintenance
- Flexible participation durations
- Availability depends on local programs
Where is it available?
Growing access. Expanding every day.
Community solar is available in a growing number of states and utility territories. Here's where we can help now.
Supported states include:
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Maine
- New Mexico
- New Jersey
And more coming soon.
Common concerns
Let’s clear a few things up.
Will this affect my utility service?
No. Your utility still delivers your electricity to your property and maintains the grid. The only difference is you will accumulate credits on your electric bill.
Is there an installation on my property?
No rooftop panels, home visits, or equipment installation are required. The actual installation is located somewhere in your electric utility. It could be down the road, or halfway across the state, and the benefits will be the same.
Can I cancel?
While it is state specific, most subscriptions for homes, apartments or small businesses can be canceled at any time. For larger businesses with several million kWhs consumption per year, cancellation may be more limited, but additional benefits are provided in return for longer contract terms.
Will I still get a utility bill?
Yes. You still receive your utility bill, but community solar credits may reduce what you owe.
Why do they offer savings?
Community solar projects can only exist if they have homes and businesses that are willing to purchase the energy they produce. In exchange for participating, you'll get a fixed discount on the value of the credits you receive.
Is this too good to be true?
No. These are state-supported programs designed to expand access to local clean energy and help states meet their clean energy targets.
How does Turquoise Trail help?
We help consumers identify high-quality community solar opportunities that fit their property, utility, and savings goals. By working with trusted industry partners, we help connect eligible subscribers with strong available projects and competitive savings opportunities.
How does Turquoise Trail get paid?
We partner with community solar project owners to help connect consumers with high-quality local projects. Turquoise Trail is never paid by consumers, and there is no cost to search or explore available savings opportunities.
Curious what this could look like for you?
Search your address to instantly explore your savings potential.