What is community solar?

Community Solar is a new state program that allows utility customers to participate in a solar energy project located remotely from their property. Community Solar projects enable greater access to solar energy. Residents who have been unable to install solar panels on their own roofs can now access this renewable energy source, both helping our environment and lowering energy bills due to the low cost of solar energy production.  

How does a municipal community solar automatic enrollment program work?

Community Solar Automatic Enrollment Programs allow municipalities to automatically enroll low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents in a community solar program. Municipalities identify eligible low- to moderate-income (LMI) residents to be subscribers. Eligible residents will be automatically enrolled in the program and receive a community solar credit on their bill, resulting in a guaranteed reduction in their electricity bill.  

How does community solar help with energy savings?

Once a household is enrolled in a Municipal Community Solar Program, the solar electricity generated for their account results in credits on their electric bill, reducing the amount they owe to their utility. These savings show directly on their utility bill, and they pay your bill under the same terms they usually do. This saves the household money and directly supports a local clean energy project.  

How are electric bills paid in this program?

There is no change in how participants pay their electric utility bill. The charges and associated savings appear as line items on their bill. Because the solar charges are consolidated into your electric bill, participation is simple, you just pay your bill as always.  

Does the solar provider replace the electric utility company?

No, participants remain customers of their electric utility. Even if a household participates in a Municipal Community Solar Program, their existing electric utility will still provide electric delivery service and will still be responsible for service reliability and restoration.  

What if someone wants to leave the program?

Residents can leave the project at any time without incurring any penalties or fees. To opt out, contact Solar Landscape by calling 732-589-7529, or email your home address and program name to care@solarlandscape.com with “OPT OUT” in the subject line.  

Who can participate in municipal community solar automatic enrollment programs?

To participate you must: 

• Be a resident of a municipality that has authorized and begun a program, 
• Pay your own electric bill, AND 
• Be within the eligible low-to-moderate income (LMI) limits or qualifying LMI assistance program.  

What are low-to-moderate income (LMI) limits?

To be eligible as an LMI subscriber, the household must be within low-to-moderate income limits, which means one of the following:  

• Households that earn less than 80 percent of the area median income, as determined by data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Income limits vary by county and increase with the number of household residents.  

• Residents of affordable housing who pay their own energy bill, including recipients of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.  

• Recipients of other government assistance programs such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Lifeline Utility Assistance Program, Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE), Universal Service Fund (USF), Comfort Partners, the Lifeline program administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program 

If I wasn't automatically enrolled but I think I qualify, how do I participate?

Residents may self-attest that their household income is less than 80 percent of the area median income and be added to the waitlist for participation in the Program should someone else drop out of the Program. To self-attest as low-to-moderate income, households may fill out this form: Self-Attestation of Income and submit it to care@communitysolar.com. Residents will be notified if they have been accepted for enrollment into the Municipal Community Solar Automatic Enrollment Program.