Join Process

Groundswell Community Solar
Let’s build Community Power together, join today!

Our Share Power™ program guarantees that a portion of electricity from every one of our projects is shared at no cost with Empowered, or income-qualified, households; helping them to cut their monthly electricity bill nearly in half.

                        What is Community Solar?
                    Community solar provides the benefits of clean energy generated by the sun as an
                                alternative
                                to those who prefer not to, or are unable to, install solar panels on their home or
                                property. Community solar projects vary in size and can be built either on the ground or
                                on
                                a rooftop and produces enough clean energy to share among multiple people who subscribe
                                or
                                enroll to receive the electricity produced by the project.

                        What makes Groundswell unique?
                    
                        SHARE: Groundswell’s Share Power™ program guarantees that a
                                portion
                                of electricity from every one of our projects is shared at no cost with Empowered, or
                                income-qualified, households; helping them to cut their monthly electricity bill nearly
                                in
                                half. Groundswell believes that clean energy is a necessity, not a luxury. We're all in
                                this
                                together and we can't afford to leave our neighbors in need behind!
                            
COMMUNITY: We put “community” in community solar—Groundswell partners
                                with
                                faith-based and nonprofit organizations in underserved neighborhoods to serve as host
                                sites
                                for our solar projects, creating local jobs, local power, and local economic
                                opportunity!
                            
EASY: Sign-up online in less than ten minutes!
HASSLE-FREE: Enjoy the benefits of solar without the hassle or cost of
                                investing in a rooftop installation or maintenance!
                            
ACCESSIBLE: Solar access regardless of whether you rent or own your
                                home,
                                and Groundswell doesn’t require a minimum income or credit score!
                            

                    

                        Have more questions?
                    

                        
        What if I don’t own my home or if I live in an apartment?
    
Groundswell’s Share Power™ community solar program is available to everyone, regardless if you rent or own. Get started by seeing if there is a community solar project in your area. In addition, participation in Share Power™ is flexible– Groundswell doesn’t require long term contracts, and your subscription can move with you within the same electricity service territory. 

        Do I have to install any equipment on my home?
    
No. That’s the best part! Your community solar project will be generating clean energy from a central location such as a local church, school, or apartment complex. There is no need to install anything on your home or apartment.

        How much does it cost?
    
Share Power™ monthly subscriptions cost less than $50 a month. Monthly subscription fees will vary based on the project you join because of subscription size, energy production and/or the electricity territory. The cost of a solar subscription typically nets the same or less than what one pays their electricity provider for the same amount of traditional power. Best of all, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that a portion of the energy you’re using is clean!
Your subscription fees are billed in advance and in quarterly installments (once every 3 months). In return, Groundswell works with the local utility provider to establish and manage your community solar account. Once established, a solar credit will appear on your monthly bill for your share of solar power produced that month. The credit amount may vary month-to-month based on the volume of sunlight received and energy produced by the project.
Unlike other community solar subscriptions fees that may fluctuate without warning, your Share Power™ monthly subscription fee is locked at a set amount for up to two years. Please note that paid subscription fees are not refundable, but that you can cancel your contract for a future date at any time without penalty.

        When will I begin to receive solar credits on my electric bill?
    
The timing of when you will begin to receive solar credits on your electric bill will vary from project to project. Some projects we offer are live and some projects are still under construction. If a project is under construction, the sign-up page will indicate its estimated timeframe for completion. If a live project is available, solar credits can appear on your bill as early as the month following activation of your subscription. Groundswell works with the utility to expedite the bill crediting process.

        Tell me more about the $20 reservation fee and is it refundable?
    
Spaces for our available community solar projects are filled on a first-come first-serve basis. If all spaces are filled, we encourage you to sign up for our wait list to secure your place in line for the next available project. A $20 refundable reservation fee is required to join the wait list. Your reservation fee will be applied to your first month’s subscription fee. Should you ever want to remove yourself from the wait list, simply contact our customer service team at customerservice@groundswell.org or 202-505-3051 and we will issue a full refund. 

        Who is eligible to sign up for community solar?
    
First, you must be a customer of the electricity provider in the territory where our projects are located in order to participate. For instance, in Washington, DC, subscribers must be a Pepco DC customer and must provide a copy of their electricity bill in order to complete the enrollment process. Click here to see a list of our projects and the electricity provider associated with the project.
Second, every Groundswell Share Power™ community solar project has both Market Rate subscribers— who pay a monthly fee for their subscription and Empowered, or income-qualified, subscribers— who receive their subscription at no cost. 
Market rate subscribers (paid) can sign up for a Share Power community solar project here. 
Empowered, or income-qualified, subscribers (no cost) can email or call/text our Customer Service team who will personally handle their subscription enrollment process.
 
Groundswell Customer Service Team
202-505-3051
customerservice@groundswell.org

        Tell me more about your Empowered, or income-qualified, customers and what qualifications are needed to receive a no-cost subscription?
    
Groundswell’s Share Power™ program guarantees that a portion of electricity from every one of our projects is shared at no cost with Empowered, or income-qualified, households; helping them to cut their monthly electricity bill nearly in half. 
For DC residents, if you or someone you know has received any one of the following benefits in the last twelve months, you are eligible to receive a no-cost subscription to Groundswell’s DC-based community solar projects (pending availability):
SNAP (food stamps)
TANF (emergency cash)
RAD (Residential Aid Discount)
LIHEAP (Low-income Heating & Energy Assistance Program)
SSI/SSD (Supplemental Security Income/Disability)
DC Housing Voucher (Section 8)
If you do not receive any of the above benefits, but meet the minimum household income criteria, please visit the DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) website and complete the application to qualify for LIHEAP assistance. Once approved by DOEE, you will become eligible to enroll in our Share Power™ program. 
Groundswell is committed to providing a respectful, best-in-class customer service experience. We understand that sometimes the enrollment process can be confusing or overwhelming which is why we have used Human Center Design research to create an experience that provides our customers with the necessary support and assistance they need to successfully sign up for our Share Power™ program. Our dedicated Customer Service team is available via phone, email or you can schedule an in-person visit.  
Groundswell Customer Service
202-505-3051
customerservice@groundswell.org

        I currently participate in budget billing with Pepco. Can I also participate in community solar at the same time? 
    
Yes, you can! Please note that your community solar credits will not offset the budget installment amount. The solar credits will reduce the electric charges, and a recalculation will occur during the 12 month period if you have a large budget difference. If you have paid more in budget installments than actual electric charges, you will receive a credit settlement in the 12th month.

        Tell me more about the Solar For All DC program?
    
Solar for All DC, a program of the District of Columbia’s Department of Energy and Environment, seeks to provide the benefits of solar electricity to 100,000 low-income households and reduce their energy bills by 50% by 2032. The program, which was established by the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Expansion Amendment Act of 2016, is funded by the Renewable Energy Development Fund (REDF). 
Groundswell is proud to participate in the Solar for All DC program. Our projects at the Dupont Park Seventh Day Adventist Church and St. Luke Baptist Church will deliver 100% of the electricity they generate to income-qualified families in the community at no cost as part of the Solar for All DC program, cutting each family’s utility bill in half. 
For more information about Solar for All visit: http://doee.dc.gov/solarforall

        Why do I need to commit to either a one- or two-year community solar agreement?
    
Your community solar agreement locks in your subscription price for the length of your contract. If electricity rates increase in the future (which they often do), your savings will only increase! You will not be asked to sign a lengthy (5-15+ year) contract as offered by other providers. Your Share Power™ contract can be cancelled at any time with no penalty.

        I don’t see a community solar project in my area, when will Groundswell build one in our community?
    
While Groundswell is working hard to expand the over three MW (Megawatts) of community solar currently in development in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Illinois, and Hawaii with an additional 50 MW of utility solar development in Georgia, we may not have a community solar available in your area. 
Click here to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter so we can stay connected and share updates on our latest projects and progress. By doing so, you are showing the support necessary to bring the benefits of community solar to your city and the opportunity to Share Power™ with our neighbors in need.

        What if I want to cancel my subscription?
    
We hate to see you leave! If there is anything we can do to better serve you, please let us know.  Otherwise, subscriptions can be cancelled by contacting Groundswell’s Customer Service Team at customerservice@groundswell.org or at 202-505-3051. Contracts can be cancelled with no penalty, however we are unable to refund any subscription fees that have already been paid. We will cancel your account and stop the billing for any future fees and remove your name from the project list.  


                    