PowerMarket is a community solar company offering subscriptions to income-eligible ComEd and Ameren customers. If you are not already familiar with Community Solar, we recommend reading CUB’s Introduction to Community Solar first. This is an income-eligible offer, but it is not through the state program designed for lower-income customers, Illinois Solar for All (Learn more).
How will signing up for the PowerMarket community solar offer affect my electric bill?
PowerMarket 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. PowerMarket offers consolidated billing, meaning they can charge you for those solar credits right on your electric bill, but with a 32-38% (depending on utility) discount applied. So, rather than paying your electric utility for that clean energy you are paying PowerMarket, at a discounted rate.
Example: Say you are currently paying your electric utility 10 cents/kWh(hypothetical, not based on actual utility prices). Through PowerMarket community solar, you will be paying around 6-7 cents/kWh (32-38% 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 roll over 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. Click here to 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. PowerMarket, using federal funding, specifically offers deals to income-eligible households.
This chart summarizes key points about the PowerMarket deal:
| What utility territory does the company serve? | ComEd and Ameren. |
| Does the company offer savings? | Yes. Ameren= 32%, ComEd=38% |
| Is there a credit check when I sign up? | No. |
| What is the contract term? | None, Up to 25 years. |
| Is there an “exit fee” for leaving the contract early? | None. |
| What are my billing options? | Utility Consolidated Billing. |
| Contact | Phone: (309) 857-7008
Email: [email protected] |
| Eligibility | Must be participating in:
Or other income base benefits programs |
*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.
PowerMarket does not charge a cancellation fee, but it is best to give 90 days notice.
Can I sign up for PowerMarket’s offer and a real-time pricing program?
Yes, you can participate in PowerMarket’s Community Solar program alongside Ameren’s Power Smart Pricing plan and ComEd’s Hourly Pricing program.
How do I sign up?
To sign up for PowerMarket’s Community Solar offer, visit their website. CUB recommends comparing multiple offers before signing up. See all offers at www.SolarintheCommunity.com, under the “Current Community Solar Deals” tab.
Who do I contact with questions or concerns?
We do our best to provide transparent information to consumers, but CUB does not administer the Community Solar program. If you have a complaint about PowerMarket or questions about the Community Solar program generally, contact the Illinois Shines Program by calling (877) 783-1820, emailing [email protected], or by visiting their website.
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 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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!
