Community Solar Resources for Illinois Residents with Ameren
Ameren customers with community solar receive two bills each month: one from Ameren (as usual) and a second from Nautilus Solar Energy.
Dual Billing
With dual billing, you’ll receive a monthly statement from Ameren and a statement from Nautilus Solar:
- Ameren Utility Bill: Shows your total monthly energy usage. Your solar generation from your community solar farm (varies each month) is deducted from these charges, reducing the amount you owe to Ameren.
- Nautilus Solar statement: The solar energy generated by your solar farm is not free. Instead, it is billed separately by Nautilus at a discounted rate, typically 10-20% less than what Ameren would charge (discount based on income-eligibility).
Even though you are paying two bills, you are still saving money every month!
What Does Your Nautilus Solar Statement Look Like?
Your monthly statement from Nautilus Solar includes your share of solar energy generated by the community solar farm. You can find your generation under 'This Month's Solar Credits'.
In the above example, 910.00 kWhs were generated and charged at standard utility rates, but with a 10% discount! This customer saved $14.81 this month with Nautilus Solar.
How does this work with your Ameren bill?
It’s important to remember that the 910 kWhs your community solar farm generated are not free. Instead, this energy is charged by Nautilus Solar at a 10-20% discount.
In the example below, Ameren calculated that this customer had a monthly usage of 1,352 kWh (910 +442). The remaining energy usage (442 KwH) is charged on your Ameren bill as usual.
The 910 kWhs deducted under ‘Renewable Generation’ represent your solar generation.
Supply and delivery charges on your Ameren bill are calculated with the remaining 442 kWh of energy usage. This customer owes Ameren $34.90, which is the total supply and delivery charges for that energy.
Supply Charges represent the cost of generating energy for your home or business.
Delivery charges represent the cost to move electricity through the grid to your home or business.
When will I receive my Nautilus statements?
Ameren will likely send you a statement just a few days after your billing period ends. Your invoice for the same period from Nautilus Solar Energy may lag by 1-2 months. This delay reflects the time it takes for Ameren to send us details about your monthly solar credit generation.
When will I receive my first bill from Nautilus?
Once we place you on an active solar farm, you can expect your first invoice within 1-3 billing cycles.
If your farm is still under construction, it may take several months before the farm starts sending energy into the electric grid. Rest assured, we'll will keep you updated on the status of your solar farm.
Frequently Asked Billing Questions
What Are Solar Credits?
Solar credits are simply the amount of energy generated by Nautilus Solar instead of Ameren. This energy is deducted from your Ameren bill and is charged by Nautilus Solar instead at a discount.
What Are Banked Credits?
Extra monthly energy generation is “banked” for use during months when your solar farm generates less. These banked credits are automatically applied when your allocated kWhs are less than your monthly usage. You only pay for these credits once they are used.
You do not need to take any action to use banked credits. Any unused credits will automatically roll over and never expire as long as you stay in the Ameren service area.
Is Autopay Required
Yes. Autopay is required for all customers with a Nautilus Solar subscription.
You can update your payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account) by logging in to your customer account at https://nautilussolar.com/account.
Can I Receive a Paper Bill from Nautilus?
Unfortunately, we do not offer a paper bill option for community subscribers. Instead, we send your monthly statement to the email address on your account.
You can update your preferred email address under ‘Contact Preferences’ in your customer account at https://nautilussolar.com/account.
Do I Qualify for a Higher Discount?
Low-to-moderate income (LMI) subscribers may qualify for a higher discount on monthly community solar savings. If you qualify for any of the following, you will be prompted to add this information during your enrollment:
| Medicaid | Multi-Family Energy Efficiency |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | Veteran Disability/Survivors Pension |
| Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) | FCC Lifeline Support |
| Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) | USDA National School Lunch Program |
| Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) |
| Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) | HUD Voucher |
| HUD Rental Assistance |
If you believe you may qualify for an LMI discount, please reach out to our customer care team for more information.
Still Have Questions?
No worries! We know energy bills can sometimes be confusing, and we want you to be confident in your solar savings.
Give us a call at (866) 969-4129 or send us an email at customercare@nautilussolar.com.