This is an evaluation of Solar Landscape’s community solar offering. If you are not already familiar with community solar, we recommend reading CUB’s Introduction to Community Solar first.
How will signing up for the Solar Landscape community solar offer affect my electric bill?
Solar Landscape will look at your annual electricity usage history to determine your community solar subscription size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Once your subscription is activated, each month, your subscription will produce solar energy, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The supply section of your electric utility bill will be credited for what your subscription produced that month. Solar Landscape offers consolidated billing, meaning they are able to charge you for those solar credits right on your electric bill, but with a 20% discount applied. So, rather than paying your electric utility for that clean energy you are paying Solar Landscape, at a discounted rate.
Example: Say you are currently paying your electric utility 10 cents/kWh. Through Solar Landscape’s community solar, you will be paying 8 cents/kWh (20% discount on the supply) for any electricity produced by the farm.
Your subscription size is designed to provide credits for your full electricity usage for the year, though there will be changes in your subscription’s energy production from month to month. For example, your subscription will produce less in winter, but more in summer, and your credits from the summer will rollover to help cover your electricity usage in winter.
What about alternative suppliers?
All customers, regardless of their alternative electricity supplier, can now receive solar bill credits as part of a community solar program. Learn more about alternative suppliers for consumers in ComEd territory and Ameren territory.
What does CUB think about this offer?
Community solar allows more Illinois consumers to access the benefits of clean energy, and CUB is pleased to see more offers hit the market. This offer includes a 20% savings discount, which is on the higher end of the range. It also offers consolidated billing, meaning everything will be on the ComEd bill. We recommend comparing multiple offers and reading your contract thoroughly before signing up. We have also heard reports of door-to-door marketing. We recommend accepting marketing materials so that you can do more research later, rather than signing up at the door.
This chart summarizes key points about the deal:
| What utility territory does the company serve? | ComEd. |
| Does the company offer savings? | Yes, 20% supply savings. |
| Is there a credit check when I sign up? | No. |
| What is the contract term? | 5 years with 2-year auto renewal |
| Is there an “exit fee” for leaving the contract early? | None. |
| What are my billing options? | Consolidated Billing. |
| How do I contact them? | [email protected] (888) 595-3990 |
* Your payment is equal to the value of bill credits, assuming the default electricity supply charge with your utility, minus your discount percentage.
When will my subscription go live? When will I start to see credits on my utility bill?
You should only be charged by your community solar company once you start receiving utility bill credits. When that is depends on when your subscribed community solar project is interconnected to the utility grid.
You can find the month the company expects your subscription to go live in the “Subscription Specifications” section of the Standard Disclosure Form provided to you (if you weren’t provided a Standard Disclosure Form, that’s a problem – see the questions and concerns section below).
What happens if I move?
If you move within your current utility territory, you can take your community solar subscription with you. If you move outside of the utility territory, you can either cancel or assign your subscription to someone else. Solar Landscape does not charge a cancellation fee.
Can I sign up for Solar Landscape’s offer and a real-time pricing program?
Yes, you can participate in Solar Landscape’s community solar program alongside ComEd’s Hourly Pricing program.
How do I sign up?
To sign up for Solar Landscape’s community solar offer, visit their website. CUB recommends comparing multiple offers before signing up. See all offers available to you at www.SolarintheCommunity.com, under the “Current Community Solar Deals” tab.
Who do I contact with questions or concerns?
We do our best at CUB to provide transparent information to consumers, but CUB does not administer the community solar program. If you have a complaint or questions about the community solar program generally, contact the Illinois Shines program by calling 1-877-783-1820, emailing [email protected], or visiting IllinoisShines.com.
If you still have questions or concerns about solar, including an advertisement you might have seen or someone who came to your door, you can call the CUB Hotline: 1-800-669-5556, Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm.
If you believe you have been subject to fraudulent or deceptive sales practices, the Consumer Protection Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s office may be able to help. Customers can contact the following hotlines: Chicago: 1-800-386-5468 (TTY 1-800-964-3013), Springfield: 1-800-243-0618 (TTY 1-877-844-5461), Carbondale: 1-800-243-0607 (TTY 1-877-675-9339), and Spanish: 1-866-310-8398.
Have you signed up for a community solar program? Let us know about your experience!
