Community Solar

Owning solar-generating installations can sometimes require significant up-front investment and is only compatible with some properties and roof types. Subscriptions through the community solar project are intended to provide an avenue for cooperative members who cannot own solar-generating installations to participate in solar energy production.

Subscriptions to SVEC’s community solar program are now available. After reviewing information on this page, if you are interested in signing up, please fill out this form.

Use the community solar calculator to estimate the cost of a community solar subscription.

Community Solar Calculator

Community Solar Frequently Asked Questions

Why does community solar exist?

This is a voluntary option for members who want to help do their part in providing cleaner energy. All members, regardless of location, can participate, with a few exceptions outlined in another question below.

Owning solar-generating installations at home can sometimes require significant up-front investment and is only compatible with some properties and roof types. Solar energy subscriptions through the community solar project are intended to provide an avenue for cooperative members who cannot own solar-generating installations to participate in solar energy production.

Graphic depicting community solar. Text in a circle with arrows shows Subscribers > Subscription > Community Solar Project > Electrical Grid > Bill Credits > Subscribers.
Source: The Institute for Local Self-Reliance

What are the benefits of community solar?

Benefits of Community Solar:

  • Generates clean, renewable electricity without using water, creating emissions or producing waste products;
  • Diversifies the region’s electricity generation mix, which reduces the reliance on natural gas and other fuels that are subject to high price volatility;
  • Allows members who are not able to install their own solar to participate in tangible solar energy production.

Benefits of SVEC’s Community Solar Site:

  • Smaller size, in acreage, creates lower visual profile to preserve rural surroundings;
  • Located adjacent to exist infrastructure; and
  • Minimal land disturbance because no site grading.
Why should a member participate?

In 2022, SVEC adopted a clean power plan, a document that puts on paper everything we say we are committed to achieving in being good stewards of the environment. Supporting renewable energy efforts, specifically expanding access to solar, is one component.

Community solar is one part of the full equation to reducing our carbon footprint and will make solar generation available to members who may not otherwise be able to install or own solar of their own. Since at-home solar isn’t practical for all locations and budgets, community solar is an option for everyone.

This is a voluntary program, and we understand it’s not going to appeal to all members. You can be a good environmental steward in many other ways, such as Beat the Peak.

How much will it cost to participate?

Units of solar energy in 50 kWh blocks are available. The subscription rate is $5.38 per solar block. You are obligated to pay the fixed block charge for each subscribed solar block even in months where your actual usage is less than the cumulative size of the subscribed solar blocks.

The monthly subscription rate per solar block will be fixed for successive three-year terms, with the first term ending on May 31, 2025.

  • That date is three years after when the community solar tariff was approved by the State Corporation Commission.
  • The end of the three-year term does not mean an end to community solar. The term’s end simply gives SVEC an opportunity to re-evaluate the rate at that time.

The fixed block charge will be updated at the end of each three-year term based on prevailing energy supply costs recovered in the cooperative’s standard rates. Read the full Community Solar Subscription Rider SSR-1 (PDF).

Is there a limit to how much I can participate?

Multiple solar block subscriptions will be allowed, so long as the kWh to be subscribed does not exceed 50% of a subscriber’s lowest metered kWh usage from the previous 12 months at their location. For example, if the lowest month was 800 kWh, the subscriber could have eight solar blocks totaling 400 kWh (eight 50 kWh blocks).

With at least 30 days’ notice, the subscriber may elect to increase the number of subscribed solar blocks provided the subscriber’s monthly usage supports the additional solar blocks, subject to solar block availability, or decrease the number of subscribed solar blocks.

What are the terms? Can I cancel?

Subscriptions should normally be for 12 consecutive months beginning with the effective date of the subscription. Annual subscription periods will automatically renew unless cancelled by the subscriber or the cooperative at least 30 days before the renewal date.

A subscriber may cancel a subscription at any time by giving a least a 30-day notice to the cooperative.

What is the process to enroll?

Call SVEC at 1-800-234-7832 or fill out this form to let us know you're interested in community solar. A member service representative will follow up with you to review the details of signing up for community solar, and then an affirmation must be signed and returned to the cooperative to acknowledge a member’s understanding of the program.

Can net-metered members and those in other groups or programs participate?

Net Meter Member: Yes. However, please remember solar blocks are available based on your lowest usage from the previous 12 months. That means if you are a net-metered member who does not record a minimum of 50 kWh in usage every month, you cannot subscribe to community solar.

Energy Assistance Member: Yes, but members must understand community solar will generally require paying more on monthly bills.

Landlords: Yes, but subscriptions cannot be prorated. They could end up being billed for kWh that they do not use.

Levelized Member: Yes, levelized billing will not be affected by community solar.

Rider R Member: No, Rider R members cannot participate in both programs.

Will the electricity I subscribe to be delivered to my home?

No, nothing will change about how electricity is currently delivered to you. The renewable energy produced from the community solar site will be added to the electric system where it is interconnected, but its energy will be measured and tracked as part of this program so you know the solar block(s) you’ve subscribed to are, indeed, produced from the sun.

What happens to the panels at the end of life?

When, or if, the project is set for decommissioning, the majority of the equipment will be recycled because it is composed of steel, aluminum, copper, and glass. The decision to recycle will be left to the project owners, EDF and ODEC. Land may be returned to previous agricultural use at end of the project’s useful life (25-35 years).