When it comes to reducing your business’ electric bill – and emissions – it may seem like there’s nothing you can do. Sure, there are ways to be more energy efficient and limit your electricity usage, but your organization can’t simply turn off the lights or decrease production. Thankfully, Mainers can make a choice that saves them **up to 10 or 12% on their annual electric spend** and help facilitate a clean energy transition: subscribing to a local fuel cell project! 

Read on to learn how fuel cells help Mainers save money, phase out dirty fossil fuels, reduce emissions and provide support during outages.

## But first, what is a fuel cell?

A fuel cell is a device that takes a small amount of fuel (typically natural gas) and converts it directly into electricity without combustion. Air and fuel pass through the fuel cell and create a powerful chemical reaction that generates electricity.

![fuel_cell_how_it_works](https://www.datocms-assets.com/50319/1666876286-fuelcellprocess.png)

Fuel cells are completely safe, efficient, and much smaller in size than solar farms, wind turbines and hydro-electric power. Fuel cell technology was spurred from two NASA colleagues who decided they should bring this ‘out of this world’ technology to Maine!

## Benefits of Fuel Cells for Businesses

You’ve probably heard and seen a lot of buzz about energy costs in the news, in conversation, or even in communications from your utility company. Indeed, supply rates are going up again in Maine in 2023 – by as much as 50% for CMP customers and 20% for Versant Power customers. Residents and businesses alike will be impacted by yet another dramatic rate hike. 

[Subscribing to a fuel cell project in Maine](https://ampion.net/fuelcells?utm_source=website&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=fuelcells) ensures that your business or organization receives a fixed discount on electricity costs. Once the fuel cell project “turns on,” or starts producing electricity, Versant Power customers can expect up to 12% savings on their electricity costs and CMP customers can expect up to 10%. These savings make fuel cells an attractive option for businesses looking to lower their energy costs.

**How does it work?**
1. You get in touch with us! Visit [ampion.net/fuelcells](https://ampion.net/fuelcells?utm_source=website&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=fuelcells ) and fill out your email and zip code at the top of the page.
2. You, or someone from your business or organization, will provide Ampion with a monthly electric bill that helps us determine your average monthly energy usage. 
3. Using that information, Ampion assigns a portion of the fuel cell project’s energy output to your organization’s meter(s).
4. Once the fuel cell project turns on, renewable energy credits will appear on your Versant Power or CMP bill, significantly reducing what you owe to the utility. These credits represent the amount of energy produced by your assigned share of the fuel cell project.
5. You will receive an invoice from Ampion for the energy produced by your share of the fuel cell project. You will always receive a fixed discount for the energy production (12% or 10%, depending on your utility). That’s $0.88 or $0.90 per dollar!

![fuel_cell_bill_credits](https://www.datocms-assets.com/50319/1666719340-bill-credits.png)

### Helping Maine Meet Its Sustainability Goals

Maine has set some pretty [admirable sustainability goals](https://climatecouncil.maine.gov/future/sites/maine.gov.future/files/inline-files/MaineWontWait_December2020.pdf). In 2020, the state committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. As stated in the four-year climate action plan implemented by Governor Janet Mills: “This transition must be managed effectively to ensure affordability and reliability.” Enter: Net Energy Billing.

Supported by the state of Maine, this subscription-based model is made possible by Net Energy Billing legislation that passed on both sides of the aisle in 2019. Maine’s Net Energy Billing (NEB) program is intended to help utility customers support the generation of renewable energy sources and diversify Maine’s electricity sources, making the grid more resilient while contributing to the state’s sustainability goals. Under NEB legislation, utilities are required to accept electricity from Community Energy projects like fuel cells and solar through grid interconnections, and assign solar credits to subscribers based on the energy generated.

### Faster Development Time

The truth is, if we’re going to stop the catastrophic dangers of climate change, we need to displace as much combustion-based fossil fuel energy as we can – as soon as possible. One of the main benefits of fuel cell projects is that they are quick to develop, and therefore quick to turn on. Fuel cell projects can be constructed in as little as three months, whereas solar farms can take over a year. 

For this reason, fuel cell implementation will help Maine slash its carbon emissions quicker and enable the state to meet its climate goals. Faster project development also means that your business or organization will start saving on your energy costs *sooner*! 

### Small Footprint

While fuel cells might not be an entirely fossil fuel-free energy source, they are highly efficient and produce less emissions than traditional power sources like coal, oil and natural gas plants. According to the Environmental Protection Agency ([EPA](https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/11/f27/fcto_fuel_cells_fact_sheet.pdf)), a traditional, combustion-based power plant is only about 33 to 35% efficient, meaning only 33 to 35% of the fuel consumed by the power plant is turned into electricity. Meanwhile, fuel cells operate at 60% [efficiency](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/fuel-cell-efficiency) or higher. Therefore, fuel cells are able to better maximize the output of the energy-producing reaction so that a greater percentage of the energy produced goes to the grid.

Fuel cells can also use clean hydrogen as a fuel source instead of natural gas. Because Maine joined the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs initiative, the state will receive funds to make hydrogen more readily available. Maine is slated to receive 6 billion dollars in funding from the federal government that will enable hydrogen-powered fuel cells in the near future. 

Additionally, fuel cells take up less space than other power options like solar panels. While solar is a true clean energy source, the panels take up ~125 times more space in terms of output per square meter. Fuel cells are most commonly developed on industrial property or pre-existing concrete lots, so construction and environmental impact are minimal. Fuel cell projects take up an estimated 2,000 square feet on average, which make parking lots great hosts for these projects.

Lastly, [fuel cells](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/fuel-cell-efficiency) become significantly cleaner when [carbon accounting](https://https://normative.io/insight/carbon-accounting-explained/#:~:text=Carbon%20accounting%20measures%20an%20organization's,based%20and%20activity%2Dbased%20methods.) is considered (i.e. the total emissions from end-to-end). When you take into account all of the possible emitters including transportation, manufacturing, etc., in addition to the emissions output of the energy source itself, fuel cells displace significantly more carbon than zero-emission energy sources.

![](https://www.datocms-assets.com/50319/1671636775-keio-university-newv2.jpg)

### Helps on the Margin

Fuel cells make Maine’s grid more resilient by reducing the load on traditional electricity sources during peak times, and carrying critical load during outages. Fuel cells are one of the most reliable forms of electricity and have the capacity to power entire communities. Additionally, whenever a fuel cell project is connected to the grid – or any new, cleaner energy project for that matter – it reduces the need for “peaker plants” to be used. Almost always fossil fuel plants, peaker plants are energy sources that are reserved for when demand is high. And since the demand for electricity continues to increase and temperatures are fluctuating more and more, the need for these types of cleaner energy alternatives becomes critical. Additionally, [fuel cells can operate 24/7/365](https://www.bloomenergy.com/resource/bloom-energy-server/) because, unlike solar and wind power, fuel cells are not weather dependent. They consistently produce high volumes of electricity all year round. 

The output, or capacity factor, of a fuel cell is **more than six times greater than that of a typical solar farm**. This means fuel cells generate more electricity – and more credits for subscribers – for each megawatt of capacity that is deployed. For example, a 1 MW fuel cell project produces more electricity than a 1 MW Community Solar project. 

That high-capacity factor means fuel cells generate electricity during those peak times when the grid needs it the most (e.g. from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM when demand is highest), so fuel cells create more value by reducing peak loads on the system.

![](https://www.datocms-assets.com/50319/1671637321-sigmund-r9pexdcjyew-unsplash-edited.png)

Fuel cells offer many advantages over traditional combustion-based power plants — not the least of which is their ability to save businesses and organizations money! But they're also more environmentally-friendly and way more efficient. Fuel cells take up less space than most other forms of energy and account for [fewer total, end-to-end emissions](https://www.bloomenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/bloom-energy-whitepaper-how-fuel-cells-reduce-carbon-emissions-as-effectively-as-renewables-new.pdf) than even the cleanest energy sources. Not only are they key to Maine meeting its clean energy goals and improving its resiliency to outages, but businesses and electric bill payers in Maine stand to benefit greatly from their implementation. If you're looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint, lower your electric bill and support Maine's clean energy goals, visit [ampion.net/fuelcells](https://https://ampion.net/fuelcells?utm_source=website&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=fuelcells ) today.

Fuel cells

Fuel Cells: Saving You Money and Moving Maine to a Cleaner Grid

Fuel Cells

Yes, electricity rates are on the rise. But Community Solar helps people save money in the short-term while addressing the long-term issue of our over-reliance on fossil fuels. 

Okay, bad news first: electricity rates are going up…again. We doubt this is news to you. In general, Americans have already been experiencing higher electricity bills over the past year. Last winter, you may have noticed that your energy bills were above average. (Especially if you live in Maine, where customers of the two largest utilities saw an [83% and 88% increase in their supply charges](https://ampion.net/about/blog/community-solar-maine-utility-rate-hikes) in January 2022!)

But this winter, electricity supply rates are expected to be even higher. The typical customer in Massachusetts, for example, is expected to see a [64% increase in monthly electricity bills](https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/national-grid-says-electricity-prices-to-skyrocket) starting in November 2022. 

However, there is good news! Electricity customers who join Community Solar can save real money on their electricity bills, often up to 10% or 15% depending on the state.  And they can even help the environment by initiating a clean energy transition along the way. 

## But first, why *are* electricity prices going up so much?

Before you go pointing fingers at your utility, there are some important factors to consider. 

The main driver of those climbing electric bills is rising natural gas prices. Since natural gas is the primary fuel source for the Northeast, the price of it largely dictates the supply rate. 

But it’s not just the Northeast – or the United States, for that matter. Globally, the demand for natural gas is currently greater than our supply. This is due to multiple factors, not the least of which is the war in Ukraine. If you remember what your high school economics teacher told you about supply and demand, you know that low supply and high demand are a recipe for **skyrocketing prices.**

It’s important to note that the supply charges on your bill are the part that accounts for your energy consumption – measured in kilowatt hours (kWh) – multiplied by the supply rate. In most cases, the supply rate is the part of your bill that you can expect to go up. See below for an example: 

![](https://www.datocms-assets.com/50319/1666293027-sample-bill.jpg)

In this example (using National Grid’s new electricity supply rate for Massachusetts customers in November 2022), you would owe $297 to your utility in supply charges. That’s not including the additional costs of transmission, distribution, and service charges, which cover maintenance for electrical wires, telephone poles, tree pruning, power plant maintenance, etc.

The truth is, your supply charges have always been somewhat in your control without Community Solar. You can take measures to improve your home’s energy efficiency, unplug appliances after use, or simply use less energy. But energy efficiency implementations are expensive and require upfront investment, which not everyone can afford (i.e. re-doing your home’s insulation, investing in more energy-efficient, newer appliances, etc.). In today’s modern world, we all need energy to live. And if we can help it, no one wants to sacrifice keeping warm this winter. 

Luckily, there’s an easier way to save with Community Solar. 

![](https://www.datocms-assets.com/50319/1666299803-community-solar-helps-rising-costs.jpg)

## How Community Solar Helps

Natural gas price volatility only reinforces the need for alternative energy sources like solar, wind, hydro and fuel cells. In particular, Community Solar can act as a hedge against rising energy costs due to the fixed savings on solar credits. Enrolling in Community Solar is the easiest clean energy solution with the lowest risk. Signing up means that you’re taking action over your electric bill, locking in energy savings in the short term, and helping to support cleaner and cheaper energy generation in the long-term.

Unlike homeowners with rooftop solar, Community Solar subscribers can support the generation of clean, renewable energy from local solar farms ***without investing or installing anything.*** Community Solar is available to homeowners, businesses, renters – anyone who pays an electric bill!

Community Solar is a program that is backed by your state that typically yields ***up to 10 to 15% savings on your annual electricity spend.*** It not only helps mitigate cost increases in the short-term, but also helps your community transition away from costly, nonrenewable fuel sources like natural gas. 

Participating in Community Solar directly contributes to the growth and development of solar projects in your state, and is directly linked to increased levels of local renewable energy generation and usage. [Look here to see if it’s available in your state.](https://ampion.net/where-is-community-solar) 

Further, you can [sign up for Community Solar](https://ampion.net/join) even if you get your electricity from a retail energy supplier instead of the utility company, so your savings could be augmented. While many retail energy suppliers offer savings, ***Community Solar is the only option that guarantees a fixed discount on the clean energy produced on your behalf.*** This guaranteed savings on your solar credits come from state programs designed to increase the amount of renewable energy generated so as to meet your state’s climate goals.

![](https://www.datocms-assets.com/50319/1666294166-electrical-meters.jpg)

While electricity costs are inevitably rising, that doesn’t mean there’s no hope. And taking your electric bill down a notch doesn’t mean you have to keep the lights off or shiver in the cold. 

Instead, it can be as simple as doing a little reading (like this blog post!) and joining your state’s Community Solar program. 

There has never been a better time to be a Community Solar subscriber. Electric bill savings and a cleaner energy grid are right around the corner. In fact, you can sign up in as little as [10 minutes with your electric bill in hand.](https://http://ampion.net/join) 


Electricity Supply Rates Are Going Up this Winter – but you can do something.

Imagine seamlessly implementing a municipal program that provided financial benefit to residents in town – without having to encourage them to enroll or spend time researching their clean energy energy options. What if the program ensured that savings were provided first to low-to-moderate income residents (those who need it most)? And to round out your goals, the program would support the growth of renewable energy in New York, helping the state meet its goal of 70% renewable energy by 2030. 

**That’s the gist of New York’s ground-breaking, game-changing program: Opt-out Community Solar. In this article, we’ll dive into more detail about Opt-out Community Solar, and how it’s different from a traditional electricity supply CCA.**

### Community Solar, Defined

Before expanding on the new opt-out option, let’s first explain how Community Solar works. Community Solar is a state program that lets electric bill payers support the generation of solar energy without the hurdles of rooftop solar (for example, upfront investment, long-term commitment, property liability and risk, or just not owning your roof). With no cost to join and nothing to install, Community Solar is the easiest way for New Yorkers to support clean energy. Every meter enrolled in Community Solar is assigned a portion of the energy produced by a shared solar farm, based on their annual electricity usage. For the energy produced by each subscriber’s share of the farm, they receive a credit on their utility bill, reducing the amount owed to the utility each month. 

[Look here](https://ampion.net/explore-community-solar/membership-and-billing) for more information on Community Solar membership and billing, or watch the video below. 

[![What is Community Solar?](https://www.datocms-assets.com/50319/1662667624-what-is-community-solar-video.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H26bd8uAl3U) 


### Opt-out Community Solar in Simple Terms

The Opt-out Community Solar Program enables municipalities in New York to enroll their residents (and small businesses) in Community Solar, providing guaranteed savings to community members, while further highlighting municipal climate leadership. 

Enrollments in Opt-out Community Solar are automatic for all qualifying residents and small businesses. This method of enrollment is meant to provide the benefits of solar power to community members who wouldn’t otherwise be able to take advantage of it, either because they can’t put a solar array on their roof or they aren’t aware of the Community Solar option– we all live busy lives, right? It also ensures access to the program reaches low-to-moderate income households who need the benefit most. Of course, everyone still has the option to opt out of the program if they wish.


### How is this different from a Traditional Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)?

Traditional Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) and the new Opt-out Community Solar model operate similarly, with the main difference being the product offered.

Traditional CCAs enable municipal governments to *purchase electricity supply from third-party suppliers* on behalf of their constituents. A municipality uses its purchasing power to negotiate an energy contract, securing an electric supply rate for the entire community. 

Opt-out Community Solar is another type of CCA. Except instead of using its municipal authority to purchase electricity supply on behalf of residents, municipalities sign up residents for Community Solar. Community Solar has a lot of advantages over fixed supply contracts, which we’ll explain below.

Both traditional retail energy CCAs and Opt-out Community Solar are conducted on an opt-out basis, through which everyone joins automatically and is given the opportunity to opt out at any time.

#### Retail Electricity vs. Community Solar

Retail electricity (the supply or generation of electricity) is the product offered through a traditional CCA. Retail energy operates on an open market that is constantly fluctuating because it’s driven by the supply and demand of electricity. A traditional CCA helps lock in a fixed rate for the supply portion for all residential and small commercial utility customers within a municipality. 

However, this arrangement does not guarantee that the rate offered through the CCA will be lower than the future price of electricity. After all, prices fluctuate every 5 minutes and no one can predict the future. Many people call this a hedge on the market because it does, at the very least, provide a stable, fixed price for a certain period of time when compared to real-time fluctuating prices. These traditional CCAs do not inherently come with savings. 

A retail supply CCA may provide a product that includes a percentage of renewable energy, but you should always have someone clarify what they mean by “renewable energy” in terms of the source, location and whether the generation is existing or new. Not all renewable energy certificates are created equal.

In contrast, Community Solar is a state-incentivized program that adds *solar credits* to customers’ utility bills for their participation in a local solar farm. These solar credits reduce the amount each subscriber owes to their utility, resulting in savings year after year. 

![Traditional CCA vs. Opt-out CCA](https://www.datocms-assets.com/50319/1662656737-image-23.png)

While the credit value from a solar farm will fluctuate with the seasons (more sunlight = more credits), there is only upside to participation. Subscribers won’t pay more for their electricity than they would have before joining the program. Furthermore, participating in Community Solar does not exclude customers from choosing a retail or third-party supplier (instead of the standard utility supply). You can be part of a CCA and choose your own retail supply rate, so the two do not conflict. 

A Community Solar farm is a small scale renewable energy generator and must be located within the same utility as the municipality. With Opt-out Community Solar, Ampion helps municipalities find one or more local solar farms for residents to join. You and your constituents will know the site’s location and can feel confident in the fact that you’re generating local clean solar energy for the community. 

### Summary

Both Opt-out Community Solar and traditional retail supply CCAs are viable options that municipalities have the authority to enact for their community. It’s important to understand each product and their differences in order to assess how each may help you achieve your municipality’s goals for your community. 

We view Opt-out Community Solar as the easiest, most impactful way to demonstrate your municipal leadership on climate change. Residents and businesses will appreciate the guaranteed savings on their electricity bills and the role they’ll play in helping New York meet its decarbonization goals with Community Solar. 

To learn more about Opt-out Community Solar, email us at [signup@ampion.net](mailto:signup@ampion.net) or give us a call at 800-277-3631. 

**Resources**
* [Opt-out Community Solar for Town Leaders](https://ampion.net/municipalities?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=cdg&utm_content=munis)
* [What is a NYSERDA Clean Energy Community?](https://portal.nyserda.ny.gov/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00Pt000000auGIFEA2)
* [NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities Guidance](https://portal.nyserda.ny.gov/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00Pt000000auGIFEA2)
* [Grants for Clean Energy Communities](https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Clean-Energy-Communities/How-It-Works/Grants)



New York Town

What is Opt-out Community Solar?

At Ampion, we believe that you deserve to know your energy options and that you have the ability to choose to support cleaner sources of energy. This includes Community Solar, which is now available to Maryland residents and businesses! Community Solar is a state-backed program that enables homeowners, renters, businesses – anyone who pays an electric bill – the opportunity to support clean, renewable energy produced locally in Maryland and D.C. 

PEPCO and BG&E customers who opt in to Community Solar subscriptions are assigned a share of clean energy produced by local solar projects; the size of the shares depends on their monthly electricity usage. Community Solar is truly the easiest way to support clean energy in Maryland. Here are 5 things you can expect when you enroll in a [Maryland Community Solar](https://www.psc.state.md.us/electricity/community-solar-pilot-program/) project.

### There are no installation costs and no costs to join

You read that right! The biggest and often most surprising difference between rooftop solar and Community Solar is that you will not pay for any solar panel installations or maintenance– there is no cost to join. To incentivize participation in the clean energy transition, [Maryland passed Community Solar legislation in 2017](https://ampion.net/where-is-community-solar/maryland) to make it easier for residents and businesses to choose clean energy and ultimately meet its goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2040.

### You'll know where your energy comes from

You may have heard of other clean power options available to Maryland residents that claim to save you money. When you sign up for energy from these entities, known as retail energy companies, you won’t know where the energy is being sourced – or, often, what kind of energy you’re supporting (i.e. wind, solar, hydro, etc.). You may know that the energy you’re paying for is renewable, but you could be paying for energy produced in another state. 

So, what makes Community Solar a better option? Michael Rosenblum and Julian Goresko, professors of public health and environmental studies at Johns Hopkins University (respectively), explained it best in an article in The Baltimore Sun: “Unlike other green power options on the marketplace — which can be unclear or sometimes misleading — community solar is one of few opportunities where customers know exactly where their renewable energy is being sourced.”

With Ampion, you’ll know the name of the Community Solar farm you’re subscribed to as soon as you’re assigned. 

### You're billed for the solar energy at a fixed 10% discount

Due to state initiatives and the fact that the energy is locally-sourced, subscribers in Maryland can save up to 10% on their annual electricity spend – and we could all use an energy discount right about now. 

Marylanders who subscribe to Community Solar projects are billed for the energy produced by their share of the solar project. This typically offsets or nearly offsets what they owe to PEPCO or BG&E. Maryland’s Community Solar program doesn’t discount based on kilowatt-hour (kWh) rate; instead, Marylanders who subscribe to Community Solar receive a fixed 10% discount on the total amount of Community Solar credits they pay for. 

### You'll receive your electricity as normal, no matter the season

One of the most common questions we hear has to do with the seasons and how it impacts your home or business’ electricity. When you subscribe to Community Solar, you’ll receive your electricity like you always have. Only now, you are contributing your home or business’ share of electricity to the grid so that your community can benefit. Community Solar helps to diversify the grid with local clean energy and pave the way for more renewable energy generation due to your support for it. 
You’ll also get to keep your utility!

It’s true that seasonality has an impact on how much energy solar panels generate. In the summer months, the solar farm’s energy production is naturally going to be higher than winter. However, most Community Solar companies, including Ampion, distribute the solar credits you’re billed for over the course of the year. In this way, you avoid overpaying for your energy in the summer. 

### Free cancelation (with notice)

With Community Solar, there is no cost to join or leave. Unless you’re moving states or utility territories, we’re not sure why you would want to opt out of Community Solar. However, you can have peace of mind knowing that you can cancel for free at any time. We just ask that you give us a few months’ notice so that we can replace your allocation. 

“The process and environmental benefits are straightforward,” according to The Baltimore Sun. “Instead of paying a cost premium for green power, you will receive financial savings and can take pride in knowing exactly where your renewable power comes from.”

To learn more about how you can access Community Solar and save,visit [ampion.net/maryland](https://ampion.net/maryland ). 



Maryland Community Solar

Maryland Community Solar: 5 Things to Know

Is Community Solar worth it? Yes. Community Solar almost always lowers the average cost of electricity for end users. Community Solar allows local communities and local businesses to benefit from clean energy without having to install panels or invest anything.

In particular, Community Solar is very much worth it for renters, those who cannot afford the cost of solar panels or their installation, and those who don’t have a property suitable for solar panels (e.g. they don’t get enough direct sun). Instead, local solar farms generate electricity from sunlight and send it to the utility grid where it becomes part of the overall power supply.

Community Solar subscribers generally save between 10-20% on their monthly electricity bills. See a state-by-state breakdown below.

### How does Community Solar work?

Locally-operated solar farms, equipped with hundreds of solar panels, produce power which is then plugged directly into the already existing local grid. This means the end user isn’t burdened by hefty rooftop solar panel investments, home construction bills, maintenance bills, etc.

Plus, if you’re a renter, you can still benefit without convincing your landlord to install panels. Community Solar users are provided with energy the way they always have been – only now it’s a little greener.

Solar farms provide more than just clean energy to communities — they drive job growth, boost local economies, and keep more money in people’s pockets by delivering consistent utility bill savings.

Community Solar uses sunlight to generate electricity instead of dirty fossil fuels, making it the innovative, climate-friendly energy option. Dozens of states are [encouraging Community Solar development](https://ampion.net/about/blog/public-support-for-solar-continues) through legislation, using tools like renewable energy credits, tax incentives and special funding packages to help speed up their states' clean energy transitions.


### How much can I save with Community Solar?

It depends on where you are, but savings typically range between 10-20% off your monthly electricity costs. See our graph below for current average savings numbers. (Updated: March 2022)

* Massachusetts - Typical Savings: ~10% savings
* Colorado - Typical Savings: ~10% savings
* Maryland - Typical Savings: ~10% discount on bill credits
* Washington D.C. - Typical Savings: ~10% discount on bill credits
* New York - Typical Savings: ~5-10% discount on bill credits
* California - Typical Savings: Green energy for the brown rate, no added costs
* Minnesota - Typical Savings: 5-15%
* Maine - Typical Savings: ~15% savings from kWh reductions or discounts on bill credits
* New Jersey - Typical savings: 10-15%
* Illinois - Typical Savings: ~20% discount on bill credits for electric supply


### How are Community Solar projects set up?

Community Solar projects come in a few shapes and sizes, but generally fall into two categories: on-site and off-site.

##### On-Site Community Solar Projects
On-site Community Solar projects are created when real estate developers integrate solar arrays into residential, commercial or mixed-use developments. These types of Community Solar projects are not connected to the local electrical grid; rather, the electricity generated stays within the development via a private power grid.

On-site Community Solar often provides better savings because its isolation from the local power grid allows it to avoid transmission and distribution fees to utility providers. One downside is that these projects and savings are only available to those lucky property owners or tenants in a community with an on-site Community Solar project. Projects are also expensive to build, and usually require a number of years to pay back the cost. Typically, these are newer developments.

##### Off-Site Community Solar Projects
Off-site Community Solar is created when a plot of land is developed solely for solar panel electricity generation. These projects typically serve a much larger number of consumers than on-site solar and are integrated into local electric grids. Consumers subscribe to a portion of an off-site Community Solar project that equals or is nearly equal to their property’s monthly electricity usage. Although most programs are subscription-based, ownership stakes are also sometimes available.

Though a subscription to an off-site Community Solar project does not mean that the electricity supplied to your house is generated entirely from solar, it contributes a percentage of green energy to your community’s overall grid. In essence, Community Solar works to reduce carbon emissions by incrementally decreasing the need for brown energy or fossil fuels. Who wouldn’t want that? Visit [ampion.net/join](https://ampion.net/join ) to see if you’re eligible!


Mom and Daughter

Is Community Solar Worth It?

Washington D.C. is embracing a unique solar project that harnesses the power of the sun while providing welcome shade to cars! These solar panels are positioned on top of carport canopies over parking spaces at the Anacostia Metro Station. This project is the first of four Community Solar gardens that will be constructed on WMATA stations.he rest are expected to be built this summer. The Anacostia site hosts approximately 240 solar panels and will produce enough clean energy to power 165 homes each year. 

According to news channel WUSA9, “Three more metro stations will also get solar carports, including Southern Avenue Station, Naylor Road Station and Cheverly Station. Installation for the projects will be completed by spring 2023.” Read more [here](https://www.wusa9.com/article/traffic/dc-anacostia-metro-station-installs-solar-canopy-wmata/65-29a8b9bb-225f-4603-a2bc-1d15aa7d8507). 

Ampion is enrolling residents and businesses in D.C. and Maryland in this Community Solar project, giving PEPCO utility customers the opportunity to generate clean, renewable energy at no additional cost while saving on electric bills. As more and more D.C. and Maryland residents feel the pinch of rising electricity costs, enrolling in Community Solar with Ampion can help residents and businesses save up to 10% on their electric bills.

Ampion’s Community Solar program is available to PEPCO customers of all kinds (homeowners, businesses, renters – you name it!). Learn more and see if you’re eligible at [ampion.net/dc-md](https://ampion.net/dc-md). 


News & Updates

Fuel Cells: Saving You Money and Moving Maine to a Cleaner Grid