Community Solar is a state program that has been passed by legislation in over 24 states in the U.S so far. It's an alternative for those who can't or don't want to have panels on their own roof. 

Maine's Net Energy Billing (NEB) program, established under LD 1711, requires utilities to participate, so everyone who pays a utility bill can subscribe if we have solar farms connected to their utility. This program is helping residents support solar energy generation in their state, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and also get some savings on their electricity bill.

When you subscribe, we use your past 12 months of electricity usage to determine the right solar subscription size for you – typically sized to cover most of your annual energy needs. You'll be connected to a portion of a nearby community solar farm that generates clean energy on your behalf.

Each month, your portion of the solar farm produces energy that gets fed into the local electrical grid. Central Maine Power then deducts solar kilowatt hour credits from your bill based on how much energy you used from your solar share's generation. These kWh credits reduce your CMP bill, just like having solar panels on your own roof.

You will pay CMP and Neighborhood Sun separately, but the total will be lower thanks to the discount to your solar credits from Neighborhood Sun.

Not at all! Renters, condo residents and homeowners can all participate – no installation required. This program is perfect if you can't install rooftop solar panels due to rental restrictions, too much shade or tree coverage around your property, roof age or condition issues, or if you simply prefer not to have panels on your roof. Community solar gives you access to clean energy savings regardless of your housing situation or property limitations.

No solar panels or installations necessary. It’s simple to get started with no sign-up fees. Simply pay for the solar credits you use each month at a discount.

It’s free to enroll, with no upfront costs. If you choose to cancel for any reason, or move out of Central Maine Power's service area, there’s no fee to cancel.

Yes, if you have solar panels installed on your residence, and they don't generate 100% of your energy, you can subscribe to the community solar program. Your share will be based on the additional energy that is being supplied by the utility so it will be a smaller share of the solar farm.

You’ll save 15% on the solar kilowatt hour (kWh) credits that you receive from Neighborhood Sun. We will provide you with 80-90% of the kilowatt hours you’ll need in a year.

Nothing. You’ll continue to have an account with Central Maine Power, and start to save money between your CMP bill and Neighborhood Sun subscription.

Yes, there is no change to your CMP service. Your CMP bill will show a credit for the solar kilowatt hours (kWh) allocated to you, making your bill from CMP most months only for the minimum service charge. You’ll receive a monthly charge from Neighborhood Sun for your solar credits, but your discount will be applied, saving you money on your electricity costs.

As a subscriber with Neighborhood Sun, solar credits will automatically be applied to your utility bill, reducing the amount you owe to the CMP. Then you receive a monthly bill from Neighborhood Sun for the discounted cost of those solar credits (which is the renewable energy that you used to power your home), which will be charged to your payment method on file via autopay.

This will be an automatic debit from your bank account or credit card, depending on the method you choose.

We will notify you of these charges with an invoice via email 20 days prior to the charge.

Once you sign up, we will review your account and submit it to CMP to add to a solar farm. Your first solar credits will be applied to your CMP bill approximately two billing cycles later. You will receive an invoice from Neighborhood Sun for your solar credits after the utility applies them to your electric bill. It usually takes 45 days to receive your Neighborhood Sun invoice for the credits applied to your bill. Typically, you will receive your invoice on the 1st of the month, and you will be charged via autopay 20 days later.

Some community solar companies charge you for all of the solar kilowatt hours allocated to you as they generate them regardless of your actual usage, resulting in high summer and low winter expenses. Neighborhood Sun, on the other hand, will only charge you for the solar kilowatt hour credits you use each month, guaranteeing that your total electricity expenses are lower every month.

No, Neighborhood Sun is a community solar acquisition and management organization, which is not the same as a third-party retail energy supplier.

Instead, Neighborhood Sun provides solar electricity to your utility company and you get a credit for the electricity generated on your behalf. Your discount is guaranteed for up to 20 years, unlike retail energy suppliers who offer short-term savings and can change rates often.

Neighborhood Sun will not change the delivery or supply rates on your CMP bill. We only reduce the number of kilowatt hours that CMP charges you for.

Your existing utility account number can be found on your Central Maine Power utility bill or by signing into your utility account online.

You’ll receive your electronic gift card once you have received and paid for your first month of community solar credits. We will send your gift card to the email address you provided during enrollment.

No catch! - this is designed as a win-win program. You save money on your electricity costs while supporting Maine's clean energy goals.

Neighborhood Sun benefits by building a customer base for community solar projects, and utilities like Central Maine Power are required by Maine law to source a portion of their electricity from renewable resources to achieve 100% clean energy by 2040.

Community solar programs help meet these state requirements while providing residents with immediate savings. You keep CMP as your electric company, maintain the same reliable service, and simply enjoy lower monthly bills through solar credits and discounts.

You can fill out the form below, email us at subscribe@neighborhoodsun.solar or call at (888) 899-4160.