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No rooftop panels needed. Subscribe to a local solar project through the Shared Clean Energy Facility (SCEF) program and save 5-15% on your electric bill.
For renters, condo owners, shaded roofs, and anyone who cannot install rooftop solar in Connecticut.
Community solar lets you benefit from solar energy without installing anything on your property. Instead of putting panels on your roof, you subscribe to a share of a larger solar project located somewhere in your utility territory. That solar project generates electricity, and you receive credits on your monthly electric bill.
You do not need to own your home. You do not need a south-facing roof. You do not need to pass a credit check in most cases. You just need an active electricity account with Eversource CT or United Illuminating.
Subscribe to a share of a local community solar project
Solar facility generates electricity and feeds into the grid
You receive bill credits on your utility statement
Pay a discounted subscription fee (net savings to you)
The Shared Clean Energy Facility (SCEF) program is Connecticut's framework for community solar. It allows solar developers to build solar projects and allocate bill credits to subscribers. The program is overseen by PURA (Public Utilities Regulatory Authority).
Shared Clean Energy Facility (SCEF)
5-15% off electric bill
Eversource CT & United Illuminating
CT PURA (Public Utilities Regulatory Authority)
SCEF Is Separate from RRES
SCEF is for community solar (off-site subscriptions). RRES (Residential Renewable Energy Solutions) is for rooftop solar installed on your home. If you are considering rooftop solar instead, see our CT solar panel cost guide.
This is the most important thing to understand about community solar in Connecticut. Virtual net metering (VNM) is not available to residential customers. This is a key difference from states like Massachusetts where residential VNM is the standard community solar mechanism.
Restricted to municipal, state agency, and agricultural customers only. Residential homeowners CANNOT participate in virtual net metering.
Homeowners CANNOT use virtual net metering
Renters CANNOT use virtual net metering
Condo owners CANNOT use virtual net metering
Municipal and state agency customers CAN use VNM
Agricultural customers CAN use VNM
What Does This Mean for You?
Residential community solar in Connecticut uses a different billing credit mechanism than VNM. Your community solar provider handles the crediting process through the SCEF program. You still receive bill credits on your Eversource or UI statement. The restriction means the credit calculation may differ from VNM states, but the end result is similar: you subscribe, you get credits, you save.
Since residential VNM is restricted, CT community solar uses a separate billing credit mechanism. Here is how the process works from subscription to savings.
Choose a licensed community solar provider operating in your Eversource CT or United Illuminating territory. Your share is typically sized to match your electricity usage.
The community solar farm produces energy during daylight hours. This electricity is delivered to the Connecticut grid, not directly to your home.
Based on your subscription share, your utility (Eversource or UI) applies credits to your monthly bill. These credits reduce your electricity charges.
Your subscription fee is set below the value of your bill credits. The difference between the credit value and your subscription fee is your net savings.
The net result: your electric bill goes down because the bill credits exceed your subscription cost. No installation, no equipment, no maintenance on your end.
Key point: You continue to receive your regular Eversource or United Illuminating bill. You do not switch utility companies. The community solar credits appear as a line item reducing your total charges. You also receive a separate bill from the community solar provider for your subscription fee.
Community solar is designed for Connecticut residents who want to save on electricity but cannot or do not want to install rooftop panels. Here are the most common situations.
You cannot modify a rental property. Community solar requires no installation, no landlord permission, and no changes to the building.
Shared roofs, HOA restrictions, or multi-unit buildings prevent rooftop solar. Community solar lets you participate without HOA approval.
Dense tree canopy, north-facing roof, or nearby buildings block sunlight. Community solar farms are sited for optimal sun exposure.
CT has many historic districts (New Haven, Hartford, Litchfield) where roof modifications may be restricted or prohibited.
Some homeowners simply do not want panels on their roof. Community solar provides solar savings with zero changes to your property.
LMI households may qualify for enhanced credits and reduced subscription costs under the SCEF program. Lower barrier to entry than rooftop solar.
Your actual savings depend on your bill size, your community solar provider's discount rate, and your utility territory. Connecticut's high electric rates ($0.27-$0.30/kWh) mean even a modest percentage translates to real dollars.
| Monthly Bill | Min Savings (5%) | Max Savings (15%) |
|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $5/mo | $15/mo |
| $150/mo | $8/mo | $23/mo |
| $200/mo | $10/mo | $30/mo |
| $250/mo | $13/mo | $38/mo |
| $300/mo | $15/mo | $45/mo |
Hartford, most of CT (north, east, central)
$0.29/kWh avg
Higher rates = more valuable bill credits
New Haven, Bridgeport, southwest CT (Fairfield & New Haven counties)
$0.28/kWh avg
Higher rates = more valuable bill credits
Why CT rates matter: Connecticut has some of the highest electric rates in the continental US ($0.27-$0.30/kWh average). This means community solar bill credits are worth more here per kWh than in most states, even at a modest 5-15% discount rate.
Connecticut prioritizes access to community solar for low-and-moderate income (LMI) households. The SCEF program includes provisions to ensure that community solar benefits reach those who need them most.
Enhanced bill credits beyond the standard 5-15% discount
Reduced or eliminated subscription fees for qualifying households
Priority enrollment in new SCEF projects
No credit check required in most LMI-targeted programs
Economically distressed municipalities (Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury) may receive additional benefits
Low-and-moderate income households may qualify for enhanced credits and reduced subscription costs. Contact your community solar provider or PURA directly to learn about income-based eligibility and enhanced credit programs in your area.
Finding a community solar project in Connecticut involves confirming your utility territory, researching providers, and evaluating the subscription terms. Here is a practical step-by-step process.
Check your electric bill. You need to be in the Eversource CT or United Illuminating service territory. The community solar project must be in the same territory.
Look for community solar providers operating in your area. PURA maintains information about approved SCEF projects. National platforms like EnergySage also list CT community solar options.
Compare the discount rate (5-15%), contract term, termination fees, and whether there is an escalation clause. Ask every question on our checklist below.
Read the full subscription agreement. Understand the credit allocation mechanism, payment schedule, and what happens if you move or want to cancel.
The provider needs your Eversource or UI account number to set up bill credit allocation. This does not give them control of your account.
After enrollment, there may be a lag of 1-3 billing cycles before credits appear. Once active, credits appear automatically each month.
Both options use solar energy, but they work very differently. Community solar is more accessible with lower savings; rooftop solar requires installation but delivers greater long-term savings.
| Feature | Community Solar | Rooftop Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $0 | $28,600-$34,100 (11 kW) |
| Monthly savings | 5-15% of bill | 50-85% of bill |
| Equipment on your roof | None | Solar panels + inverter |
| Available to renters | Yes | No |
| Maintenance | None (provider handles) | Homeowner responsibility |
| Contract flexibility | Cancel per contract terms | 25+ year ownership |
| Home value increase | No | Yes (~4% avg) |
| RRES income | N/A (farm owner handles) | Netting or Buy-All credits |
| Federal 25D tax credit | N/A (expired Dec 2025) | N/A (expired Dec 2025) |
| Virtual net metering | Restricted (not for residential) | N/A (direct metering) |
Not all community solar subscriptions are equal. Before signing up with any provider, ask these questions to protect yourself and ensure you get the best deal.
Why it matters: This determines your actual savings. A 10% discount means you save $0.10 for every $1.00 of credits.
Why it matters: Some contracts lock you in for years. Know the exit terms before signing.
Why it matters: Can you transfer your subscription within the same utility territory, or will you lose it?
Why it matters: Terms vary from month-to-month to 20+ years. Shorter terms give you more flexibility.
Why it matters: Some contracts include annual price increases of 1-3%. Know the escalation schedule.
Why it matters: You must be in the same utility territory (Eversource or UI) as the community solar project.
Why it matters: Verify the provider is authorized to operate in CT. Check with PURA or CT DEEP.
Why it matters: There can be a lag of 1-3 billing cycles before credits appear on your statement.
Red Flags to Watch For
The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. $0 available for residential solar in 2026. Community solar subscriptions never qualified for 25D anyway: you do not own the solar equipment, so you cannot claim a tax credit on it.
If any provider tells you that you can claim a federal tax credit on a community solar subscription, that is incorrect. Walk away.
Community Solar Is NOT Affected by the 25D Expiration
Your community solar savings come from bill credits, not tax deductions. The SCEF program, utility billing credits, and subscription discounts continue unchanged in 2026. The 25D expiration impacts rooftop solar (cash and loan purchases), not community solar.
Answers to the most common questions about community solar in Connecticut.
Community solar in Connecticut operates through the Shared Clean Energy Facility (SCEF) program. You subscribe to a share of a local solar project and receive bill credits on your Eversource or United Illuminating statement. No panels on your roof, no installation, no maintenance. Typical savings are 5-15% off your electric bill.
No. Virtual net metering in Connecticut is restricted to municipal, state agency, and agricultural customers only. Residential homeowners and renters cannot use VNM. Residential community solar operates through a different billing credit mechanism under the SCEF program, not virtual net metering.
Most CT community solar subscribers save 5-15% on their electric bill. With CT electric rates averaging $0.27-$0.30/kWh (among the highest in the US), even a modest percentage savings translates to meaningful dollar amounts. A household with a $200/month bill could save $10-$30/month, or $120-$360 per year.
Yes. Community solar is specifically designed for people who cannot install rooftop panels. Renters, condo owners, apartment dwellers, and anyone with a shaded or unsuitable roof can subscribe. You just need an active Eversource or United Illuminating electricity account in Connecticut.
No. The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. Even when it was active, 25D never applied to community solar subscriptions. Your community solar savings come entirely from bill credits, not tax deductions. The bill credit mechanism is unaffected by the 25D expiration.
SCEF (Shared Clean Energy Facility) is the community solar program for off-site solar subscriptions. RRES (Residential Renewable Energy Solutions) is the program for rooftop solar systems installed on your home. They are separate programs. SCEF subscribers do not interact with RRES directly, though the solar farm itself may be enrolled in a utility program.
Yes. Community solar and rooftop solar are independent. You can subscribe to community solar today, and if your situation changes (you buy a home, remove trees, etc.), you can cancel your community solar subscription and install rooftop panels through the RRES program. There is no conflict.
Yes. Low-and-moderate income (LMI) households may qualify for enhanced bill credits and reduced subscription costs under the SCEF program. Connecticut prioritizes LMI access to community solar. Check with your community solar provider about income-based discounts or contact PURA for LMI-specific programs.
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Read guideWhether community solar fits your situation or you are ready for rooftop panels, we can help you understand your options. Get a free, no-pressure consultation to compare community solar subscriptions with rooftop solar for your Connecticut home.