How does Community Solar billing work?

One of the most common questions we get from interested subscribers is, 

“How is it that you are giving away free money? Is this too good to be true?” 

It’s not too good to be true! Joining a community solar program not only saves you money but also contributes to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Sunwealth’s community solar program saves subscribers approximately 17 - 22% on their annual electricity spend with no installation, fees, credit check, or long-term contracts. We are not a third-party supplier, which means that your rate will not change through participation in this program. We take pride in expanding access to the benefits of solar power and can offer significantly discounted bill credits through federal and state solar program incentives. 

The average annual Massachusetts electricity spend is $3,732. Joining a Sunwealth community solar program would save the average subscriber around $634 a year! That’s meaningful savings. 

Currently, you receive a monthly bill from Eversource based on your monthly kWh (kilowatt-hour) usage. When you sign up for a Sunwealth community solar program, Eversource applies solar credits to your electric bill from one of our local solar projects, reducing the amount you owe them by about 85%. Sunwealth then bills you for those credits at a fixed 20% discount. Your payment helps us sustain our operations and build more solar arrays. It’s truly a win-win! 

Let's break it down:

Suppose your Eversource bill was $200 last month. When enrolled in Sunwealth’s community solar program, a solar credit, or net metering credit, would reduce your bill by 85%, or $170. This leaves you with a $30 bill from Eversource. Sunwealth would then bill you for that credit at a 20% discount, or $136. Your new total electricity bill would be $166, resulting in $34 in savings.

Electricity costs before community solar 

  • $200 Eversource bill 

Electricity costs after community solar 

  • $166 Eversource + Sunwealth bill  

  • $30 Eversource bill  

  • $136 Sunwealth bill  

  • $34 in savings  

What’s the bottom line here?

By joining our state supported program, you will receive two bills which together will result in ~17% annual electricity savings through a fixed discount on all solar credits. It’s past time that everyone can benefit from solar energy.

Jon Abe