For years, solar power was mostly seen as a homeowners’ game—reserved for those who could install panels on their rooftops.
As a renter, you don’t have a lot of choice in the matter (or any) on how green your home is. That situation leaves you at the whim of your landlord – who could be invested in a greener planet or just wanting income from the property. You’re also not alone.
There are approximately 45 million rental units in the U.S., and approximately, 34% of all households are renting their homes.* That leaves a third of all Americans without much choice in the matter – whether they want to install solar panels, or not.
Renters Were Missing out on Solar’s Pay Day
Even if climate change is not your biggest concern right now, there are financial reasons why many homeowners choose to invest in solar panels. Depending on the state where you live, how net metering works, and the available incentives, the promise of rooftop solar is that it would eventually pay for itself and reduce or eliminate your electricity costs. You invest in more now to reduce your costs later.
Of course, under the current administration, the economics of rooftop solar is looking more and more grim. Proposed legislation is removing many incentives to install residential solar panels. It goes then that fewer and fewer people are going to make the choice to invest in rooftop solar panels.
Unsurprisingly, the initial cost of rooftop solar led to what’s called energy inequity. Essentially, those who could afford to install solar, could access its financial benefits in the long-run. And those who didn’t have the space or couldn’t afford it were the ones who missed out on the payday.
Community Solar Is Energy Equity
But now, community solar is flipping that script and bringing clean energy to everyone, especially renters who’ve traditionally been left out. Community solar was designed to remove barriers to access – through shifting the onus on installing solar from the individual households to companies like PureSky.
That’s why we, at PureSky Energy, are such big fans of community solar. Companies like us build solar at scale – larger volumes bring down the cost of installing, allowing us to pass on the savings to our customers. It’s also why we’ve made it our mission to open access to solar savings for all—and renters are quickly becoming some of our biggest fans.
What Is Community Solar?
Community solar allows you to subscribe to a nearby solar farm and receive credits on your electric bill for the clean energy it produces. That means:
- No panels on your home
- No upfront costs
- No switching utility providers
Instead, you get guaranteed savings every month, while helping reduce fossil fuel emissions.
Why Renters Are Loving It
1. You Can Save on Your Electricity Costs
Yes, it’s that straightforward. Renters who join a PureSky Energy community solar project typically save 10% with solar credits on their monthly utility bill. For some low-income programs, we offer an even larger discount. Over the course of a year, that could mean $100 to $200 in savings—with zero cost to join.
And with utility rates constantly fluctuating, or just rising, locking in predictable solar savings is a welcome relief for anyone on a budget.
2. No Rooftop Needed
Most renters don’t have access to their roof—and even if they do, landlords usually won’t allow panel installation. Community solar gets around this by producing energy off-site at a solar farm. That energy is fed into the local grid, and you receive credits for your share.
3. Low Commitment, High Flexibility
Not staying in the same place long-term? No problem. PureSky’s community solar plans are portable within your utility’s coverage area and require no long-term contract, making them a perfect fit for renters who value flexibility.
4. You’re Part of the Clean Energy Solution
Many renters want to live sustainably, but don’t have control over their building’s efficiency or upgrades. Community solar lets you reduce your carbon footprint without changing your lifestyle or convincing your landlord to go green.
Community Solar is a Fair and Accessible Solar Option
At PureSky Energy, many of our projects are designed with low- to moderate-income households in mind, ensuring that renters and underserved communities benefit from solar energy—not just the wealthy.
We currently offer community solar in several states, including New York, Minnesota, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maryland:
These projects are already helping hundreds of renters save money and support clean, local energy generation.
How to Get Started
If you pay your own electricity bill and live in one of our service areas, there’s a good chance you’re eligible to join. Signing up with PureSky takes just a few minutes—and your savings start showing up on your bill in as little as one to two billing cycles.
✅ No cost to join
✅ No equipment to install
✅ No change to your electricity provider
✅ 10% off your monthly bill
🔗 Ready to Start Saving?
Check your eligibility and sign up for a local PureSky community solar project today.
The bottom line? Renters love community solar because it’s easy, affordable, and makes a real difference. With PureSky Energy, solar isn’t just for homeowners anymore—it’s for everyone.
Resources
* U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/ushmc/quarterly_commentary.html
