Answers, plain and simple.

A community solar garden is a solar array that feeds electricity into the local power grid. Even though the garden is not on your property, you receive solar credits on your utility bill as a member. You support clean energy and get 10% off the value of your solar credits.

Reserve your spot by enrolling online. It takes less than 10 minutes.

To save money, reduce your environmental impact and move to cleaner energy with no installation costs or hassle. Every garden also supports local jobs and landowners.

No catch. Each garden has a limited number of spots, offered first come, first served, and you must live in an eligible area. Your contract lists the full terms of your subscription.

No. Community solar gives you the benefits of clean energy without any changes to your home.

No. Nothing changes about how you receive your electricity.

You get 10% off the value of the solar credits posted to your utility account. Your savings are the difference between those credits and your invoice. The dollar amount depends on your share of the garden and how much it produces, but every invoice is less than the value of the credits it covers.

You only pay for the energy that is actually produced. Lower production means lower savings, but it never costs you money.

Each member receives a share of panels based on their historical electricity use. Your share can be adjusted over time to make sure you get the most savings.

The power your share produces is posted to your utility account as solar credits. You then pay for those credits at a 10% discount. Each invoice covers the solar production posted to your utility account since your last invoice. Because utilities post credits after the fact, an invoice usually reflects production from about two months earlier. You only pay for credits the garden actually earned for you.

Your monthly solar credits lower or even eliminate your electric bill first. You then receive an invoice showing your credit amount and your discounted payment. Invoices are sent on the last day of each month and are due by the 15th of the following month. With AutoPay, your payment is made automatically.

Pay by AutoPay (bank draft), online through the member portal, or by check.

Credits post to your utility account each month. They show the kilowatt hours generated on your behalf and are applied to your total amount due.

Your monthly solar credits lower your electric bill first. You then receive a Join Community Solar invoice, sent by Visionary Strategic Solutions, showing the credit amount and your payment at a 10% discount.

Solar credits apply to both supply and delivery charges.

Visionary Strategic Solutions (VSS) handles billing and account support for Join Community Solar members, and members see VSS on their invoices.

Invoices are sent on the last day of each month and are due by the 15th of the following month. With AutoPay, your payment is made automatically.

Pay by AutoPay (bank draft), online through the member portal, or by check.

No signup fee. Starting October 1, 2026, a 1.5% late fee applies each month to any balance more than 10 days past due. AutoPay is the easiest way to avoid it.

Limited time offer: enroll in AutoPay through your member portal and get 3% off your next bill, plus an additional 1% off for every month you stay enrolled. Enrolling takes less than two minutes: log in, go to Billing, and select Enroll in AutoPay.

Log in to enroll in AutoPay

Minnesota: Your subscription runs for the length of the program. There is no cancellation fee. To cancel, give 2 months' written notice; your subscription ends when a replacement member is found or 2 months after notice, whichever comes first. You can also cancel without penalty within 5 business days of signing.

Moving in Minnesota: If you move within Xcel Energy's service area, your subscription moves with you at no fee. If you move outside it, give 2 months' notice and you're only charged for months you received credits.

Maine: Cancellation and transfer terms are listed in your contract and Maine consumer disclosure form.

Your utility can take up to 60 days to process the change.

The Low and Moderate Income Accessible Community Solar Garden Program was launched by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. It gives lower and moderate income households greater access to renewable energy.

Households earning up to 150% of their county's Area Median Income qualify. You may also qualify if you take part in an approved federal, state, municipal or utility program.

2024 Area Median Income table · Program eligibility criteria

Discounted rates on your energy costs and priority access to our community solar gardens.

Minnesota's community solar garden program started in 2013 with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. You can read Xcel Energy's own overview of the program.

Xcel Energy community solar overview

Log in at any time from the Log in link at the top of every page, or go straight to the member portal.

You can update it anytime in your member portal.

All of your statements are available in your member portal.

It is on page 2 of your monthly utility bill, in the Electricity Service Details summary.

Log in to your member portal for statements, payments and AutoPay, or book a call and our team will help.