This is what New Jersey Community Solar looks like...
We’re on a mission to make clean, affordable energy accessible to ALL– not just the select few. Let’s start with you!
Be a part of the solution, not the pollution.
You get a share of the output from a solar farm in your area while earning a credit on your bill, lowering your electricity costs.
We handle the solar.
By subscribing to community solar, you’re increasing demand for renewable energy in your community, directly displacing fossil fuels from the electric grid. That means you can support solar and prevent pollution from fossil fuels without having to install or pay for solar panels.
You see the savings.
New Jersey electricity customers are guaranteed to save at least 5% and many can save up to 20% off the standard utility rate. Get started to see how much you can save each month.
Together, we can make a difference.
Each time you pay your electricity bill, you can feel better knowing your payment is supporting your community’s transition to renewables while also saving you money. By choosing Neighborhood Sun, you’re supporting our work to address energy equity and helping us give back to all of our community partner nonprofits and impact-focused organizations.
Switching to clean energy has never been so accessible (or free)
You subscribe online to a local community solar farm- without any fees or installations.
There are no costs, fees, or installations to subscribe, making clean energy available to renters and homeowners alike. Through our quick online sign-up process, we match you with a solar farm in your community that may already be active or still under construction. Just provide us with a sample utility bill to estimate your share size, and we’ll handle the rest so you can sit back and save with solar!
Your share of the solar farm generates clean energy for you each month.
You continue receiving power through your current utility. Each month, your share of the solar farm adds clean energy to the grid, directly displacing the equivalent amount of dirty energy derived from fossil fuels. This improves local air and water quality and allows you to directly combat fossil fuels just by paying your electric bill.
Your guaranteed savings are reflected as clean energy credits on your current utility bill.
Clean energy is cheaper (and safer) than fossil fuels because the sun shines for free. That means you pay for your share of solar energy at a guaranteed discount (between 5%-20%) compared to your current utility rate. These cost savings will be reflected as clean energy credits reflected on your current electricity bill each month.
Community solar is accessible affordable equitable local easy no-rooftop-needed renter-friendly simple solar.
Local Project Spotlight:
Somerset
Somerset Community Solar Farm is already providing solar savings to over 250 nearby households while preventing 2,386 metric tons of CO2-equivalent each year as its clean energy displaces fossil fuels from the local grid. This farm offers 20% savings to households who qualify as Low- or Moderate-Income (LMI), as well as those who don’t.
- Provides 20% savings compared to the standard PSEG rate
- Helps to prevent 2,386 metric tons CO2-equivalent each year
- Located in Somerset, New Jersey
LMI Spotlight:
Self-Attestation Available for Low- & Moderate-Income (LMI) Households
This Self-Attestation Form is to be completed, signed, and dated by a member of the applying household. It is a written statement documenting an applicant’s affirmation that the gross annual income for the applicant’s entire household qualifies as meeting the definition of an LMI subscriber. Applicants may attest their status as an LMI subscriber by either reporting their household income or confirming participation in one of the qualifying LMI programs listed at the end of this document. If choosing to report your household income, please reference the income limits for your specific county at the end of this document.
Local Policy Spotlight:
Governor Murphy Signs A4782/S3123 to Strengthen Community Solar Program
In January 2024, New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill, A4782/S3123 , to support the growth of the state’s community solar program while ensuring that 51% of its capacity is reserved for LMI households. By allowing for LMI subscribers to prove their eligibility through a self-attestation form, rather than jumping through hoops like having to provide additional documentation, community solar is made much more accessible to LMI households. Neighborhood Sun helped to advocate for this policy, and we’re so excited that it has passed.
- Reserves 51% of each community solar farm for Low- and Moderate-Income households
- Streamlines eligibility verification for LMI subscribers
- Expands the program’s size to meet popular demand
Shining a light on Community Solar in New Jersey
- Community Solar in NJ
- Neighborhood Sun in the News
- Community Solar in the News
Learn More About New Jersey's Clean Energy Program From NJCEP
Demand Soars for ‘Community Solar’ Projects on Warehouses, as State Program Enters New Phase
Half of Americans can’t install solar panels. Here’s how they can plug into the sun.
How To Reap The Benefits Of Solar Without Installing Panels
Community Solar Fact Sheet
Frequently Asked Questions
- Looking to Subscribe
- Already a Subscriber
How does billing work?
Every month, your share of the solar farm earns you energy credits when it generates power. You’ll pay us (Neighborhood Sun) the discounted rate which will automatically be applied to your monthly electric bill through your normal utility provider. For example, if your average monthly bill is $100 a month, and your solar farm discount is 10% off, you will only pay $90 to us and your electric bill will reflect $100 solar credit, nearly zeroing out your electric bill payment to your utility itself.
You may choose automatic debit from a checking account or a credit card. Unfortunately, we do not offer paper billing or non-automated payments. (Hey, it’s better for the planet!)
Click on your utility provider below to see a sample bill.
Orange & Rockland
JCPL
Fortunately, on January 4, 2024, Governor Phil Murphy signed A4782/S3123 to bolster New Jersey’s community solar program. This legislation will make it possible for subscribers to benefit from consolidated billing starting in 2025. Until then, the two-bill process remains.
How do you assign shares to projects?
During your application, you authorize us to review your historical electrical use. We use the past 12-24 months of your electric history to calculate the average amount of kWh you will need each month. Savings are based on the amount of electricity generated by your portion of the solar farm, not your actual kWh use.
How do I save money?
The sum of both bills will be less than your old utility bill. Since we charge less for community solar than what your utility charges for default energy (generated by fossil fuels), you’ll see monthly savings.
Will credits rollover to future months?
Your share of energy generated by the community solar is estimated based on your average monthly energy usage, so some months it may be more or less than the energy you actually end up using. Don’t worry if you use less energy than your share provided because your solar credits will roll forward to the next month without any extra effort on your end. Should you have any rollover credits remaining at the end of your contract period, they will be bought out (repaid) by your utility at that time.
More questions?
Watch our video here to learn more about how a community solar subscription can help you save money and prevent pollution.
Give us a ring at (888) 606-0054 or email us at [email protected]. You can also use our chat feature in the bottom right corner of the screen.
What will credits look like on my electric bill?
When your farm is actively generating clean energy, community solar credits will appear on your current utility bill as “production credits” which reduce the total cost owed to your utility each month.
Click here to view what community solar credits will look like on your PSEG bill.
How do I log in to MySolar?
Click here to visit MySolar. MySolar is your one-stop-shop for everything you need to know about your subscription. Log in to view past invoices, track your savings, and see the environmental impact of your subscription. You can also find your referral code their to get credit for any friend or neighbors you might refer. You’ll see a new solar panel pop up for each successful referral, and you can earn money too.
How does billing work?
Every month, your share of the solar farm earns you energy credits when it generates power. You’ll pay us (Neighborhood Sun) the discounted rate which will automatically be applied to your monthly electric bill through your normal utility provider. For example, if your average monthly bill is $100 a month, and your solar farm discount is 10% off, you will only pay $90 to us and your electric bill will reflect $100 solar credit, nearly zeroing out your electric bill payment to your utility itself.
You may choose automatic debit from a checking account or a credit card. Unfortunately, we do not offer paper billing or non-automated payments. (Hey, it’s better for the planet!)
Fortunately, on January 4, 2024, Governor Phil Murphy signed A4782/S3123 to bolster New Jersey’s community solar program. This legislation will make it possible for subscribers to benefit from consolidated billing starting in 2025. Until then, the two-bill process remains.
When will I see my community solar credits?
How do I save money?
The sum of both bills will be less than your old utility bill. Since we charge less for community solar than what your utility charges for default energy (generated by fossil fuels), you’ll see monthly savings.
Fortunately, on January 4, 2024, Governor Phil Murphy signed A4782/S3123 to bolster New Jersey’s community solar program. This legislation will make it possible for subscribers to benefit from consolidated billing starting in 2025. When consolidated billing is enacted, you will receive a savings report from Neighborhood Sun rather than a bill. Until then, the two-bill process remains.
Will credits rollover to future months?
Your share of energy generated by the community solar is estimated based on your average monthly energy usage, so some months it may be more or less than the energy you actually end up using. Don’t worry if you use less energy than your share provided because your solar credits will roll forward to the next month without any extra effort on your end. Should you have any rollover credits remaining at the end of your contract period, they will be bought out (repaid) by your utility at that time.
More questions?
Watch our video here to learn more about how a community solar subscription can help you save money and prevent pollution.
Give us a ring at (888) 606-0054 or email us at [email protected]. You can also use our chat feature in the bottom right corner of the screen.
