Choosing a Community Solar Project

New Yorkers regularly receive offers from energy companies, many of whom are promoting solar energy, and it can be challenging to discern which companies are legitimate and which ones have the best offer for your needs. Below are our suggested steps to find the best community solar product for you.

1. Do your research. Community solar providers are required to register with the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) and abide by the Uniform Business Practices for Distributed Energy Resource Suppliers (UBP-DERS). You can use our Find a Community Solar Project tool to find projects in your area. Providers shown on our tool are registered with DPS and are approved to sell community solar in New York State.

   Not all approved providers and their projects are currently listed on our tool, but new providers are added regularly. If you are interested in or hear about a provider not on our tool, it is important to confirm they are on the DPS list of registered community solar providers .

   You can also use online reviews and customer references to obtain background information on community solar providers.

2. Learn how you can save. A New York State approved community solar project should save you money on your electricity costs—whether you purchase a share of the solar panels, or you subscribe to the electricity produced from the solar farm.

   If you decide on a subscription model, which is the most common option, it’s a good idea to look at several factors when comparing providers:

   • Length of subscription term
   • The potential or guaranteed savings for the length of the subscription
   • If any of the rates included in the subscription are fixed, variable, or promotional if those rates could change or increase over time
   • If there are any fees associated with cancellation.
3. Review your contract. If your provider offers a purchase option, you’ll want to understand your return on investment and which tax credits are available to you. From the length of your contract, to early cancellation policies and late fees, your contract will have a lot of terms for you to consider. It's important to understand exactly what you're committing to before you sign the dotted line. Providers are required to show all the important terms and conditions on the Standard Disclosure on the first page of all community solar contracts. Make sure you review this important document!

Still have questions? Learn more about how community solar works.