Community Shared Solar

A way to benefit from solar power without installing it on your roof!  Also known as “net metering credits”

Community solar—sometimes called shared solar or solar farms—lets people enjoy the benefits of solar power without having to install panels on their own homes. It’s designed for renters, homeowners without a solar-friendly roof, or anyone who simply prefers not to put solar panels on their property.

Here’s how it works:

1. A large solar array (the kind you may have seen along highways or fields) is built within a utility’s service area. (Our installation is built over abandoned bogs in the West Wareham area.)
2. That solar installation produces electricity, which flows into the local utility grid.
3. Customers in the service area can subscribe to a share of the solar installations’s output.
4. In return, subscribers receive bill credits—called net metering credits—on their electric bill. With Self-Reliance, you’ll get those credits at a 15% discount, saving you money each year while supporting local clean energy.

Unlike rooftop solar, the electricity doesn’t go directly to your home—it goes to the grid. But your bill is adjusted to reflect your share of the energy produced. You’ll continue to get reliable service from Eversource, and you’ll receive two bills:

• Your regular Eversource bill (showing the credits applied)
• A bill from Self-Reliance for the discounted credits you purchased

Because solar production changes with the seasons, you’ll often see more credits in the sunny summer months and fewer in the winter. That can make billing a little confusing at first, but don’t worry—we’ll walk you through everything, from choosing the right credit amount to reconciling your bills.

Why Join Community Solar?

Community solar is a win-win: you save money on electricity while helping reduce fossil fuel use in your community.

Here are the key benefits:

• No homeownership required
  Renters, condo owners, and utility customers of all kinds can participate—no rooftop needed.
• Save 15% annually on your electric bills
  With no upfront costs and guaranteed savings, you’ll start seeing the benefits right away.
• Quick and easy enrollment
  Signing up takes just a few minutes. Plus, there’s only a 1-year commitment, so it’s flexible too.

*Currently open to members with an electric account in Eversource’s SE territory.  Additional annual membership fee ($15) applies to this program.