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Community Solar (CSS)

Community solar allows those who are unable to install solar on their properties access to solar energy, making it ideal for renters, condo owners and homes without available roof space or sun exposure.
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Community solar, also known as Community Shared Solar (CSS), allows those who are unable to install solar on their properties access to solar energy through community solar farms. Community solar is ideal for renters, condo owners and homes without available roof space or sun exposure. This is how community solar operates: 

  1. First, a large-scale solar array is developed within a certain utility service area, usually by contractors and solar installers.
  2. After the solar panels are constructed, they are interconnected to the grid and can feed solar energy to homes.
  3. Any homes located in the same utility service area can access the solar energy produced. The energy is usually purchased by a subscription to the farm.
  4. When you subscribe to community solar, you can power your home with low-cost clean energy and support clean energy deployment. You can also receive net metering credits or offsets towards your electric bill – which can range from 5-20% annual savings on your bill. Learn more about community solar.
Graphic depicting a simplified CSS System

Source: Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

To get started, investigate community solar projects in MA. Community solar options through each provider are subject to change based on current availability. Then, review the terms of any subscription(s) in your area – the state of Massachusetts has helpful advice on how to evaluate your choices.

Massachusetts Solar for All (MASFA)

MASFA funds will stack on top of existing incentives currently available for Low-Income Community Shared Solar (LICSS) projects. Projects must meet certain criteria regardless of the Community Shared Solar subprogram they are applying for. These include not exceeding 5 MW ac nameplate capacity, allocating at least 50% of the project’s benefits to Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities as defined by EPA, and providing a minimum 20% bill discount to all participating residential customers.

Core programming consists of financial assistance and technical assistance programs.

Notice for residents: MASFA funding for community shared solar will be awarded at the project level and not to individual residents.

Financial Assistance

  1. Low Income Community Shared Solar - DOER: This program will allow community solar projects to access funding when delivering enhanced benefits to residents in LIDACs. MASFA grant funds will support project costs for community solar installations that provide bill savings and other benefits to eligible residents.
  2. Community Owned Community Shared Solar - MassCEC: MASFA funds will support Community Owned Community Shared Solar (COCSS) projects, if owned by a municipal, cooperative, or community non-profit or other public-serving entity. This additional support will be available to COCSS projects on top of the LICSS incentive and will include direct financial assistance to address the unique barriers community ownership presents.
  3. Municipal Light Plant Community Solar - MassCEC: This funding opportunity will be offered via competitive solicitation to all Municipal Light Plants (MLPs) operating in Massachusetts. MASFA grant funds will support project costs for community solar installations that provide bill savings and other benefits to eligible residents in MLP territories. 

Technical Assistance

  1. Community Owned Community Shared Solar: MassCEC will procure a Technical Assistance Provider to support COCSS projects and stakeholders. This will include technical assistance to support market analysis, project planning, marketing, outreach, and engagement with stakeholders. The focus of this technical assistance program will be to support local ownership and innovative collaborations.

General Timeline

  • Technical Assistance: Community Owned Community Shared Solar — Summer 2025
  • Financial Assistance: Low Income Community Shared Solar — August 2025
  • Financial Assistance: Community Owned Community Shared Solar — September 2025
  • Financial Assistance: Municipal Light Plant Community Solar — September 2025

Other Resources

Non-MASFA affiliated materials that may be helpful for project planning and for organizations interested in implementation of solar projects:

  1. Solar for All – Public Information - Clean Energy States Alliance
  2. Community Planning for Solar Toolkit : Clean Energy : Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment at UMass Amherst
  3. Understanding and Evaluating Solar Financing and Ownership Options - UMass Amherst
  4. Habitat for Humanity’s Solar PV Toolkit
  5. People’s Solar Energy Fund 
  6. Community Power Accelerator Learning Lab - UNH Carsey School of Public Policy

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