As interest in clean energy grows, community solar is becoming one of the most popular ways for everyday people to participate in the renewable energy transition—without the cost or complexity of installing solar panels.
But one of the most common questions we hear at PureSky Energy is:
“How much does community solar cost?”
The short answer?
Nothing up front—and it saves you money every month.
Here’s a deeper look at the costs, savings, and real value of community solar.
What You Don’t Pay for with Community Solar
Unlike traditional rooftop solar, community solar does not require:
✅ Buying or leasing solar panels
✅ Paying for equipment or installation
✅ Permits, roof inspections, or maintenance
✅ Any changes to your utility service
With PureSky Energy, joining a community solar farm is free. There’s no sign-up cost, no cancellation fee, and no equipment on your property. You’re simply subscribing to a share of a local solar farm, and receiving bill credits in return for the energy it produces.
So, What Do You Pay?
Community solar uses a model called “virtual net metering.” That means:
- A solar farm produces clean energy and sends it into the utility grid
- You earn credits on your electricity bill based on your share of the farm’s output
- You pay for those credits, but at a discounted rate—which results in monthly savings
With PureSky, that discount is guaranteed at 10% - in some cases, it may be larger, such as for low-income households. So, for every $100 of credits you receive on your utility bill, you pay PureSky just $90—saving $10 that month, automatically.
📉 No gimmicks. No surprise charges. Just lower bills.
A Real-World Example
Let’s say your typical monthly electric bill is $120.
- You receive $120 in bill credits through community solar
- You pay $108 to your community solar provider (with a 10% discount)
- Your net savings: $12/month, or roughly $144/year
Plus, PureSky is currently offering a $150 gift card for new subscribers to our Grand Island, NY solar farm—meaning your first-year benefit could top $290 without spending a dime upfront.
Hidden Fees? Not with PureSky.
Some community solar providers charge:
- Administrative fees
- Early cancellation fees
- Monthly subscription charges
We don’t.
At PureSky, our model is designed to be simple, transparent, and customer-first. There are:
- No sign-up or enrollment fees
- No penalties for leaving
- No surprises in your bill
You start saving immediately—and you stay in control the whole time.
What About Long-Term Returns?
While community solar won’t produce the kind of long-term returns you might see from buying rooftop panels, it offers consistent, low-risk savings with none of the overhead. It’s perfect for:
✔️ Renters
✔️ Homeowners who can’t install panels
✔️ Businesses or nonprofits
✔️ People who want to support clean energy—without the commitment
It’s also portable in many cases. If you move within the same utility service area, you may be able to take your subscription with you.
How Is This Possible?
The simple answer: policy and partnerships.
In states like New York, policies encourage the development of community solar by:
- Requiring utilities to offer bill credits for shared solar
- Incentivizing developers to serve low- and moderate-income households
- Creating financial models that reward both providers and customers
At PureSky Energy, we design, build, own, and operate our solar farms. That means we control the entire process—from energy production to customer service—and can pass those savings directly to you.
Final Thoughts: Is Community Solar Worth the Cost?
Community solar doesn’t just cost less—it actually pays you back. With no installation, no upfront payment, and guaranteed monthly savings, it’s one of the easiest ways to:
✅ Cut electricity costs
✅ Support renewable energy
✅ Reduce your carbon footprint
✅ Join a growing, local clean energy movement
