Community Solar and Community Choice Aggregation Explained

Not every household can put solar on the roof. Community solar and community choice aggregation extend clean energy access to renters, apartment dwellers, and communities that want more control over their energy supply. This guide covers both.

What community solar is

Community solar is a shared solar installation whose output is credited to subscribers who cannot host solar on their own roof. Subscribers pay for a share and receive utility bill credits for their portion of solar generation. Sometimes called shared solar or solar gardens.

What community choice aggregation is

Community choice aggregation (CCA) lets local governments aggregate electricity purchasing for their residents, typically to source cleaner power than default utility. Utility still delivers electricity; CCA sources it. Common in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia.

Community solar models

Who benefits from community solar

• Renters (cannot install rooftop solar).
• Apartment dwellers (no roof access).
• Homeowners with unsuitable roofs (shaded, wrong orientation).
• Homeowners without upfront capital.
• Consumers who prefer subscription simplicity.
• Low income households (in inclusive programmes).

Typical benefits

Community solar scale

US community solar installed capacity approximately 7 GW. Growing rapidly. Leading states: Minnesota, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, California, Colorado, Maryland. Federal Community Solar Subscription Platform being developed.

How CCA works

1. Local government (city, county, or region) opts in.
2. CCA agency established or joined.
3. Residents automatically enrolled with opt out option.
4. CCA procures electricity from generators.
5. Utility still delivers electricity and reads meters.
6. Bill shows CCA supply charge plus utility delivery.
7. CCA can target specific fuel mix (higher renewable share).

CCA scale

Notable CCAs

• MCE Clean Energy (Marin, California) - first US CCA.
• Peninsula Clean Energy.
• Sonoma Clean Power.
• East Bay Community Energy (now Ava Community Energy).
• CleanPowerSF.
• Silicon Valley Clean Energy.
• City of Cincinnati Aggregation.

Regulatory context

CCA requires enabling state legislation. Enabled states have specific rules for opt out, cost allocation, renewable procurement, and exit fees. Utility opposition common but regulatory support growing.

Green tariffs

Alternative to CCA: utility green tariff programmes where customers pay premium for renewable procurement. Common at investor owned utilities. Less flexibility than CCA but no legislative requirement.

Contemporary challenges

Low income access

Growing focus on low income community solar programmes. Some state mandates require low income participation minimums. Utility bill credits reduce energy burden.

Actual cost savings

Community solar typically saves subscribers 5 to 15 percent versus utility default. Depends on state incentives, subscription structure, and utility rates. CCA savings variable, sometimes negligible after fees.

How to join

Where community energy is going

• Continued community solar programme expansion.
• More states enabling CCA.
• Growing low income programme requirements.
• Community owned models expanding.
• Integration with battery storage.
• Bill credit standardisation.
• Utility green tariff expansion.

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Community solar extends solar access to renters and apartment dwellers through shared subscription. CCA lets local governments aggregate electricity purchasing to source cleaner power. Both models scaling rapidly, especially in California and select other states. Enable clean energy access without rooftop or utility switching. Watch for state enabling legislation and utility opposition dynamics.

Next reading

• Rooftop solar complete guide
• How to read your electric bill
• Time of use pricing
• Renewable energy complete guide