FAQs:

• What's the catch?

  • Thankfully, there isn't one. At Community Solar Discount, we pride ourselves in never providing a service unless it is a win-win for all parties involved. Making a buck at someone else's expense is a red line that we do not cross.

• Why / how is this free?

  • The state wants the power companies to move over to cleaner energy sources and are paying for them to do so - but only if customers agree to have their energy sourced by solar. By subscribing to the solar farms, you receive a credit on your bill.

• Will my bill change / What happens to my electric account?

  • You will continue to receive your electric bill as usual, but once you are connected to a solar farm, you will see a credit on your bill for the amount of solar energy generated (which generally covers 90-100% of the total bill amount).

  • Depending on which farm you are allocated to, the payment may either be consolidated by the solar billing company, or there will be a separate bill. Rest assured, you will save the same 20% either way.

• Will I start saving immediately with this program?

  • You’ll need to give it a few months until everything is processed and the new solar farm is activated. 

• Is this one of those energy scams where the rate goes up after a few months?

  • Absolutely not. This is a government initiative that almost all NJ residents can take advantage of. It will not affect your rate, there is no contract, and no fees. Only guaranteed savings every month.

• Is my energy actually coming from solar farms? What happens if it’s cloudy?

  • Don’t worry, your home’s electricity will not be powered entirely by solar. What essentially happens when you sign up is that you are receiving the rights to a portion of the solar energy that is being fed into the electric grid (which has multiple sources, not just solar). The energy your home actually receives will come from the power company as it always has.

• What happens if I move?

  • If your new home is within the same utility service territory, you can simply update your account with the new address and account / customer number to maintain your community solar subscription. If you are moving outside of your current utility service territory, then we will cancel your membership and notify when we have any future projects in your new area.

Explanation of Community Solar from US Dept of Energy:

https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/community-solar-basics

Statement from the NJ Board of Public Utilities:

https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/2022/approved/20230816.html