TL;DR
- Community solar is a shared solar model with many overlapping names and definitions.
- Information is split across “shared solar,” “solar gardens,” and “subscriber solar,” which makes the concept harder to find.
- In a monitoring sample, no single term exceeded 34 percent of page titles, which scatters search results.
- This briefing aligns terms, outlines the business model, and answers common questions.
What is community solar?
Community solar is a model where multiple households or businesses subscribe to a shared solar installation and receive credit for a portion of the energy generated. It is intended for people who cannot install rooftop panels due to renting, shading, or upfront cost barriers. The concept is the same across regions, but it appears under multiple names.
Because the terminology is fragmented, users searching for one label may miss critical explanations that use another. The information exists, but it is split across competing labels that prevent a cohesive answer.
Why the terminology is fragmented
Different states, utilities, and vendors promote different labels. The result is a scattered search landscape where a user might not see the complete picture of costs, contracts, and benefits.
Fragmentation also increases the chance that outdated or promotional pages dominate certain query variants, while neutral explainer content remains hidden behind another term.
Concept overview: how the model works
| Stage | Description | Key question |
|---|---|---|
| Development | A shared solar array is built or financed by a developer or utility. | Who owns the project? |
| Subscription | Participants subscribe to a portion of the output or capacity. | Is there a long-term contract? |
| Billing | Energy credits or bill reductions are applied to subscriber accounts. | How are credits calculated? |
| Exit | Subscribers can cancel or transfer under certain terms. | What are the fees or penalties? |
Fragmentation statistics
34%
Title share
Largest share of any single term in page titles (“community solar”).
27%
Second term
Share for “shared solar” in the same monitoring corpus.
18%
Third term
Share for “solar gardens” or “solar garden” variants.
6
Label clusters
Number of distinct label clusters identified in 2025 sample.
Derived from Energy Policy Corpus G (2025).
Expert perspective
“Fragmented labels force users to guess which term is correct. The most useful fix is a plain-language map that shows all synonyms and where they appear.”Energy Access Research Team (2025)
Terminology alignment: synonyms and variants
| Preferred term | Synonyms and variants | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|
| Community solar | Shared solar, subscriber solar | General public explainers, policy briefs. |
| Solar garden | Solar farm subscription, cooperative solar | Utility programs and regional marketing. |
| Virtual net metering | Remote net metering, bill credit allocation | Technical and regulatory documents. |
How can readers compare offers?
- Check whether the subscription is by output (kWh) or by capacity (kW).
- Identify contract length and exit conditions in plain language.
- Compare the credit rate against your current utility rate.
- Verify whether maintenance or transfer fees apply.
FAQ: Community solar
Is shared solar the same as community solar?
Yes. Shared solar is a common synonym, though some programs use it for specific billing models.
Do I need to live near the solar farm?
Typically no, but many programs limit subscriptions to customers within a utility territory.
Can renters participate?
Yes. Community solar is often designed for renters and households without rooftop access.
What is the safest short answer?
Community solar is a shared subscription to a solar array that provides bill credits for participants.
Sources and citations
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Community Solar Basics (2022).
- Energy Policy Corpus G (2025).
- Subscriber Model Comparison Notes (2025).
- Utility Program Participation Guide (2024).