Local solar gardenClean local energy
01
A solar garden near you makes power
A local solar array feeds clean power into the grid. Members share what it produces.
How it works
Solar power, shared by your neighbors.
Save on electricity from a local solar garden. No panels on your home.
- Solar gardenSunlight becomes clean power
- Local gridPower flows into your local grid
- Your homeYour service stays the same
- Lower bill10% off your solar credits
No equipment is installed at your home or business.Savings depend on garden production.
The difference
Community solar is not rooftop solar.
No panels to buy, lease or maintain.
| Compare | Community solarWith Join Community Solar | Rooftop solarPanels on your home |
|---|---|---|
| Panels on your property | None needed | Installed on your roof |
| Cost to get started | No signup fee | Purchase or lease required |
| Maintenance | Nothing for you to maintain | Your responsibility |
| Your utility company | Stays the same | Stays the same |
| If you move | In Minnesota, moves with you within Xcel Energy's area | Panels stay with the house |
Step by step
From sunshine to savings in four steps.
One shared solar farm. Many local members.
Local solar gardenClean local energy
02
The energy flows into your local grid
Garden power flows to nearby homes and businesses. Your service doesn't change.
Your enrollment
UtilityXcel Energy
Electric billReceived
Matched to a gardenPaperwork and setup handled
Done
03
You subscribe to a share
Enroll online with a recent electric bill. We match you to a garden and handle the paperwork.
Monthly savingsExample
Solar credits$100.00
Your invoice$90.00
You keep$10.00
04
Solar credits lower your bill
Credits post to your utility account. Your invoice charges 10% less, and you keep the difference.
Getting started
You do two things. We do the rest.
No site visits. No installers.
What you do
Two quick steps to get started
- Sign up
Online, in under 10 minutes.
- Send your electric bill
We use it to find your garden.
What we handle
Everything else, start to finish
- Garden matching
The right garden for your utility.
- Paperwork
Handled for you.
- Billing
By Visionary Strategic Solutions.
- Member portal
Statements, payments and AutoPay.
Stays the sameYour utility
Same electric company.
Stays the sameYour service
Same power, same service.
Stays the sameYour home
Nothing installed.
ChangesYour bill
It goes down.
Is any equipment installed on my property?
None. The panels stay at the solar garden.
Will this change my utility company or power service?
No. Your service stays the same.
What happens on cloudy days?
Your power doesn't change. Your credits reflect what the garden produced.
What if I move or sell my house?
In Minnesota, your subscription moves with you within Xcel Energy's service area at no fee. More on moving
Enroll today
Start saving on your electric bill.
We match you to the garden that serves your address. Spots are limited.
Check if you qualify
Book a quick call with our team. Have a recent electric bill handy.
- No signup fee
- Nothing to install
- Keep your utility company