OPERATION COMMUNITY SOLAR (OCS)

Benefits of Community Solar Plans

Save money on your electric bill

Community Solar connects your utility account to a local solar farm that will produce solar credits to lower your electric bill by a minimum discount of 5% for up to 20 years.

Support local solar projects in your community

Community Solar connects your utility account with solar farm that produce clean electricity and create jobs in your local community.

Easy and free enrollment with no long-term commitment

In less than 3 minutes, connect your utility account for free with our community solar partners without a long-term commitment as you can cancel anytime without paying termination fees.

How Community Solar Works

  • Solar developers build community solar farms that produce renewable energy locally in your state.

  • The solar power generated by those farms flow to the local electricity grid.

  • Customers sign up to reserve a portion of the solar credits that are produced by the solar farm through a subscription.

  • Customers receive a monthly solar credit on their utility bill for the electricity produced by their subscription and pay a discount of 5% - 25% on the solar credits received for up to 20 years.

A few common questions....

What is community solar?

Community solar farms are built throughout each state enabling multiple people to share the benefits of low cost, local renewable energy.

The clean electricity produced by the solar farm is fed into the electrical grid. Customers enrolled in the community solar farm receive solar credits on their utility bills, reducing what they owe to the utility each month.

Who can sign up for community solar?

If you pay an electric bill and live in a state with a community solar program, then you should be eligible to sign up for community solar. It doesn’t matter whether you rent or own your home or apartment.

Why sign up for community solar today?

Space is limited as each community solar farm can support a specific number of customers. Sign up today to reserve your spot for a minimum discount of 5% off solar credits on your electric bill for up to 20 years.

Do I need to install solar panels on my home to participate in community solar?

No. Solar farms are built throughout the state and you simply get to subscribe for free with no long-term commitment and enjoy the benefits of local renewable energy savings for up to 20 years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I save money with community solar?

Once your community solar farm goes live, each month, you will receive a credit reducing the amount you owe on your electric bill.

In New York and Virginia, the utility consolidates your community solar bill much like they do for third party supply.

In other states, you will receive solar credits that reduce your monthly utility bill.  Shortly thereafter, you pay for the value of the solar credits received minus the subscription minimum discount of 5%.  Think Community Solar will notify you of this transaction in advance of an auto payment taking place a few days later.

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How long does it take to connect me to a project?

We will work to connect you with a community solar project as soon as possible, however the timeline for connection will depend on your utility and availability of projects. We cannot guarantee your home will be connected to a project.

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What is the community solar enrollment promise program?

The Think Enrollment Promise commits Think Community Solar to enroll your electric utility account into a local community solar farm within 12 months of signing up, or we’ll pay you a $50 cash rebate.

To claim your $50 cash rebate, you must email [email protected] within 90 days of your first anniversary after signing up.  Our customer care team will confirm your eligibility and, if we have not fulfilled our promise to enroll you within 12 months, we’ll send you a $50 cash rebate.

Think Enrollment Promise program is available to customers who were enrolled prior to October 31, 2023

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When will I receive my first month of savings?

Community solar farms take time to build in our communities, and they’re in high demand.  Once we’ve enrolled your electric utility account into a solar farm, it may still take a few months for the project to begin generating clean energy and savings on your electric bill.  We will continue to update you on the timing for clean energy generation and your first month of savings.

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Do I need to update or adjust my utility account?

No. Think Community Solar will notify your utility of your enrollment into one of our community solar farms. It may take several months from the time you sign up to the time that the solar farm is turned on. We will keep you updated on the status of your local solar farm and the first month of expected electric utility savings along the way.

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How will Think Energy manage my subscription over time?

We want you to receive the full benefits of this program. For that reason, if we notice the amount of production we’ve reserved for you is significantly lower than your monthly electric usage, we may update your account to increase the value of your subscription. This change will not cost you anything and will provide you with even more savings.  If we notice you aren’t using as much electricity as we expected, we may lower your subscription to make sure we aren’t reserving too much of the solar array for your household.

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What is the relationship between Think Energy and Think Community Solar?

Think Energy and Think Community Solar are affiliates.

Think Energy is a licensed retail electric supplier providing 100% clean electricity to its customers on long-term competitive fixed rates in 12 states and the District of Columbia.  The Think Energy’s mission is to make clean energy simple, easy and affordable for everyone.

Think Community Solar, an affiliate of Think Energy, is focused on connecting mass market energy customers to local community solar farms.  Think Community Solar subscriptions provide long term electricity savings to our customers while supporting the development of local solar farms, nationwide. 

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Is community solar really clean energy?

100%! Community solar farms are built locally on your utility grid, clean energy is sent back to the utility, and your community becomes less dependent on fossil fuel generation.  Your commitment to savings literally greens the lines around your streets.

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How much environmental impact will I make?

The typical Think Community Solar customer reduces its community footprint by between 6,000 to 15,000 pounds of carbon emissions annually. That adds up to 120,000-300,000 pounds of carbon emissions over the lifetime of the average project per customer!

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Why do I need to provide payment information?

In New York and Virginia, the utility consolidates your community solar bill much like they do for third party supply. In most states, you will receive solar credits that reduce your monthly utility bill. Shortly thereafter, you pay Think Energy for the value of the solar credits received minus the subscription discount. Think Energy will notify you of this transaction in advance of an autopayment taking place a few days later.

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Will I still pay my utility bill?

Yes, you must pay any amount that remains due on your monthly utility invoice. Each month your discounted solar credits will reduce how much you owe to the utility.  In the summer months the solar credits may exceed the amount you owe to the utility, creating a $0 utility balance and credits are rolled forward for future use and savings.  In other months solar credits may not cover all of your utility bill and the balance must be paid to the utility.

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What happens if I move?

If your new residence is within the same utility service territory, we will simply update your subscription with the new address and account number to maintain your community solar subscription. If you are moving outside of your current utility service territory, then we will cancel your membership and notify when we have any future projects in your new community.

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How do solar credits work with Think Energy supply in Maine?

Under the Maine Net Energy Billing (NEB) kWh program solar credits are equal to  the supply + transmission + distribution kWh rate.  Standard offer utility supply customers see a solar credit value equal to the standard offer utility supply + transmission + distribution kWh rate.  Think Energy supply customers see a solar credit value equal to the Think Energy Supply + transmission + distribution kWh rate.

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Our veteran-owned and family-run business provides expert solar installation with 15+ years of experience. We offer cutting-edge technology and competitive pricing to help you go green and save money.

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444 West Lake Street, Suite 1700

Chicago, IL 60606

Office: (224) 332-2656

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