Community Solar Clearinghouse Solution

THE COMMUNITY SOLAR CLEARINGHOUSE SOLUTION
PROGRAM IS NOW AVAILABLE IN LOMBARD!

What is Community Solar?

A community solar project is a single solar site shared by multiple subscribers. Net metering credits are provided on subscribers’ electricity bills, without need of any equipment to be installed on their property. Community solar projects in Illinois are defined as no larger than 2,000 kW’s in peak capacity per site. The Village of Lombard’s Public Works & Environmental Concerns Committee and Board of Trustees have endorsed the program, which had been initiated by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC). Other participating municipalities include Evanston, Lake Forest, Highland Park, Lake Bluff, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook, Oak Park and Skokie. The Illinois Power Agency administers the Illinois Shines program, which supports new solar development. 

How does Community Solar Work?

Community solar projects generate electricity, which is then delivered into the electric grid. The community solar project signs up subscribers that receive monthly net metering credits based on the size of their subscription, how much the community solar project generates, and the subscriber’s electricity supply arrangement. Each subscription is tied to a specific community solar project. 

STEP 1: Community solar projects are developed at off-site locations by private developers to generate clean, carbon-free electricity.  

STEP 2: The projects supply that electricity via the utility’s power grid to distribution customers including homes, schools and businesses. Community solar developers sell the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) attributes to Illinois utilities. 

STEP 3:  You enroll as a subscriber to the community solar project, receiving a net metering credit on your monthly utility electricity bill for your portion of the solar power generated. The MMC’s program administrator, mc² Energy Services, bills you separately for 80% of the net metering credit you receive, and therefore you retain 20% as your monthly savings. There are no other fees involved. 

What are the Benefits?

Residents joining a solar array retain 20% of their net metering credit, thus saving money on the electricity bill.  Subscribers help support development of new solar projects in Illinois.  In addition, you do not have to invest in a solar array on your roof. You will receive a net metering credit on your monthly ComEd electricity supply bill for your share of the generation created by these projects. The average Lombard home uses 1,000 kWh per month, which may support 30 solar panels and provide an estimated net savings of $100 annually, although actual savings may differ.

How does Billing Work?

When you join the waitlist and a community solar project becomes available to accept new subscribers, you will be notified by mc² Energy Services of the next opportunity to enroll. After completing the enrollment process and the later of 1-2 billing cycles or when the community solar project begins generating, you will receive net metering credits on your monthly ComEd electric supply bill for your share of the generation created by your Community Solar project.  mc² Energy Services then bills you separately for 80% of the net metering credits to your credit card, thereby saving you 20%. The program does not have upfront costs, will not lock you into a long-term contract, and will provide guaranteed savings as long as stay on ComEd’s default energy supply rate.

Next Steps...

After joining the waitlist, you will receive an email from mc2athome@mc2energyservices.com when you become eligible. This enrollment notice will be customized to your account, and it will provide a personal savings estimate based on your ComEd usage. After receiving that email, you will have five days to enroll before the next person on the list is selected. Use the form link below to join the waitlist. 

THE WAITLIST SIGN UP FORM AND MORE INFORMATION IS AT:

https://www.mc2energyservices.com/IL/Community-Solar/Join-The-Waitlist
Program videos: https://www.mc2energyservices.com/IL/Community-Solar/Videos
Bill examples: https://www.mc2energyservices.com/IL/Community-Solar/How-We-Save-You-Money
Illinois Power Agency’s website: https://www.illinoisshines.com
Community Solar Program Billing FAQs