What is Community Solar?

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the ins and outs of community solar!

 

Do I have to install solar panels on my rooftop?

No. With community solar, there is NO home installation or setup required. Solar energy is provided through your local community solar farm.

How are your solar farms built?

We partner with local farmers and landowners for community solar development projects. You can learn more about this process by reading our blog, ‘What Goes into Building a Solar Farm’.

What is community solar and how does it work?

Watch our introduction to community solar video on YouTube for a full explanation of how local community solar farms work!

How can I get community solar for my business?

To learn more about supplying your business with community solar, contact the Nautilus team and we’ll get back to you shortly!

What states are Nautilus solar farms located in?

We have community solar farms in six states, including Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and New York, and additional solar projects in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Rhode Island.

How does community solar help the environment?

On average solar power produces 20x less greenhouse gasses, making it a cleaner energy source that reduces your carbon footprint and helps reverse climate change.

Who qualifies for community solar?

If your state has enacted a community solar program, you may have access to community solar, which will lower your electric bill and benefit the environment and your local community.

To see if we are in your area, enter your zip code on our Find Your Community page.

Who benefits from community solar?

Everyone! You lower your energy bill and contribute to a healthier community (or your community lowers its carbon footprint). Your community also benefits from local taxes and job creation to build and maintain our solar farms.

It seems too good to be true—what’s the catch?

There's no catch...guaranteed! Often people confuse community solar with rooftop solar but there is no equipment, installation, or financial investment needed to get involved. We build the farm, tie it into the local utility grid, and you sign up to help add clean energy to your local grid. You only need to sign up and the power continues to come through your existing grid from your utility company.

As a landowner, how do I learn more about solar land development, solar farm financing, and solar power purchase agreements?

As one of the leading solar community development companies in the US, we love to partner with farmers and landowners to find ways for you to optimize your underdeveloped or underused land. Our team can help educate you on solar farm development, tax incentives, partnership programs, financing, solar farm ROI, and more. Reach out to us today and we’ll be happy to speak with you!

How can I learn more about community solar?

If you haven’t already, explore our Solar Insights Blog and our YouTube channel for in-depth videos on how solar farms are built, how the energy flows to each local community, and how the solar energy subscription programs work.

How does community solar contribute to renewable energy?

By increasing the share of renewable energy in the grid, community solar reduces reliance on fossil fuels, lowers carbon emissions, and diversifies energy sources, making the grid more stable and resilient.

Is there any maintenance required for community solar?

We routinely conduct maintenance on our solar farms to keep them operating at a high level. This includes maintaining the solar equipment, property security, and the land.