What is it?
Community Solar is a medium-sized installation of solar panels that delivers electricity to the power grid. Individual residents, non-profits and businesses within their local distribution network (for Deerfield it’s ComEd) can subscribe to any available project. Typically energy purchased through a Community Solar installation costs less than the ComEd rate and supports the move to clean, renewable energy.
Although there are no community solar projects located in Deerfield, there are several in northern Illinois and more that are being developed. All you have to do is identify a local Community Solar Project and subscribe.
How does it work?
Let’s say your home uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month and your share of a community solar project is 200 kWh per month. As a subscriber, you would receive a credit on your bill amounting to your supply rate multiplied by 200 kWh of electricity.
The Citizens Utility Board has an excellent review of how Community Solar programs in Illinois work.
What are the benefits?
Anyone can participate: no need for you to have a structurally sound roof, or one that has great exposure to the sun clear of trees. Community Solar panels will be located in an ideal location, typically in open fields.
No up front investment: subscribers pay a monthly subscription fee to the Community Solar project for the power generated by one or more solar panels. The energy (kWh) from those panels will then be credited to your monthly ComEd bill.
Lower electric bills: the cost per kWh to subscribe to a Community Solar project is projected to be less than the rate you would pay for your current energy through ComEd.
Lower your Carbon Footprint: Your participation in a Community Solar project helps bring more Green power to the power grid. The more people that subscribe to solar projects, the Greener the grid gets.
Why now?
Illinois pass the Future Energy Jobs Act in December 2016. Under this legislation, Illinois is creating a new Community Solar program which, for the first time, allows any customer of ComEd or Ameren to subscribe! The first of these projects are expected to come online in late 2019.
FAQs
Does the solar power go directly to my home?
No. Unlike solar panels on your rooftop, the power from a community solar installation is sent to the grid along with other sources of power from coal, nuclear, gas plants as well as wind farms. While the power you subscribe to doesn’t go directly to your home, it does bring more green power to the grid- which reduces your carbon footprint.
Are there restrictions who can participate?
No. Any residential or commercial customer of ComEd or Ameren Illinois can participate. Businesses and industrial customers could host a community solar site or develop their own community solar project.
Why is Community Solar suddenly such a big deal?
Illinois homeowners have long been able to purchase and install solar panels on their home and send excess energy back to the grid. But very few people participated because it was just not possible to install solar panels on their own property. Either their roof was not strong enough, mature trees shaded their house, or they just didn’t have the money to make such an investment.
What if I move?
If you move to a new home, but stay within your utility’s territory, you can continue to subscribe to the community solar program. If you move out of the territory, you have to sell your share of the community solar project.
With Community Solar, anyone can participate in benefits of solar energy since the panels are not built on your home, but on a more suitable location such as commercial buildings or open land! And, you don’t need to make an up-front investment to participate since many projects offer monthly subscription rates.