Top Five Misconceptions About Community Solar

1. Your quoted rate is higher than my utility’s rate. It’s also higher than the rates I’ve seen from green electricity suppliers.
When you compare apples to apples, our price is lower. If you only look at the supply charge per kilowatt hour (kWh) – a common rate stated by your utility, typically as ‘generation and transmission’ – that rate excludes distribution fees, Empower Maryland charges, and other kWh hour charges you may have. Our solar credits are at the full retail rate, which means all those extra charges are included. To really compare apples to apples, you should add up all the hourly charges on your utility bill and compare those to Neighborhood Sun’s rate. Also, keep in mind that our rate, discounted compared to the utility, is based on annual averages and does not reflect seasonal variations. Bottom line is that community solar acts very similar to rooftop solar in that it reduces your entire electric bill, not just the generation and transmission. If you still have questions, contact one of our representatives with your utility bill in hand, and we’ll walk you through it.

2. Neighborhood Sun is not compatible with CleanChoice, WGL, or other wind/green energy suppliers.
We are compatible! If you choose to stay with a supplier, Neighborhood Sun will cover the majority of your electricity needs. Any that we do not cover will be billed at the price per kilowatt hour of your other green energy supplier.

3. If I choose community solar, I’ll have to pay my Neighborhood Sun bill by mail each month.
Not true – no stamps required. You’ll be auto-debited monthly for your Neighborhood Sun bill. This method ensures that there’s no extra effort required on your part. We handle it all for you once we receive your payment information at signup.

4. Community solar is the same as rooftop solar.
Community solar is NOT the same as rooftop solar. While rooftop solar requires that you install solar panels and equipment on your roof, community solar requires no installation, extra land, or repairs and maintenance. Community solar projects generate clean energy offsite that feeds into the pre-existing utility grid. The electricity produced can then be shared with customers in the community.

5. Your community solar projects have already been built.
Our projects are not built yet, but they will be built this summer, and production will start late fall (Oct/Nov). You don’t have to delay in signing up, though – you can subscribe now.

Ready to make the switch to local, clean energy? Click HERE to get started.