Community solar lets households get bill credits from a shared array without putting panels on their own roof. Cities and utilities are also building solar on old landfills and reservoirs, and some states run group buys or free programs for income-qualified homes. This guide collects the local programs we have covered, grouped by state. Each entry links to our full write-up with sources. Updated November 2026.
Savings figures come from the program operators or the towns, not from independent audits. Eligibility depends on your utility and address, so confirm with the program before you sign anything.
Illinois
- Bloomington: A community solar program with PowerMarket for Ameren Illinois customers, offering 10% to 20% off bills.
- DeKalb: ComEd and SunVest energized a 7.7 MW array at the airport on October 2, 2026, with bill credits for 1,100 homes.
- Rockford: A 6.2 MW project reports $163,000 in year-one savings.
- McLean County: A Solar for All farm serving income-eligible households.
New Hampshire and New Jersey
- Hooksett, NH: A 1.34 MW array on a former landfill, built at no upfront cost to the town, which projects $10 million in savings.
- Derry, NH: A 2.25 MW array on a capped landfill. The town buys the power at 6.5 cents per kWh and projects $4 million in savings.
- East Windsor, NJ: The township says residents can join community solar at no cost and get up to 21% off bills.
- Voorhees, NJ: Approved plans for roughly 4 MW of community solar on a capped landfill.
Minnesota, Michigan and Ohio
- Owatonna, MN: A community solar garden opened October 1, 2026, with 8% to 15% savings.
- Minnesota Solar for Schools: The program has reached 400 campuses.
- Michigan school districts: A cooperative of 65 districts has a 15-year deal for power from a 41 MW solar farm.
- Lima, OH: A 2 MW floating array on the drinking water reservoir projects $10 million in savings.
- Monroeville, OH: A village of about 1,300 has a 6 MW floating array with 9,222 panels.
Texas, Virginia, Montana and the West
- El Paso, TX: A free group-buy program where homeowners compare installer bids through a reverse auction.
- Virginia group buy: The Switch Together program pools homeowners to bargain for rooftop solar. It cited an average discount of about 23%. This round ended October 15.
- Whitefish, MT: Flathead Electric opened Community Solar III with 448 panels and a battery for peak demand.
- Nevada: NV Energy took applications for its Expanded Solar Access Program through October 31, 2026. That window has closed.
- Harris County, TX: Construction started on the first site of its Affordable Community Energy program.
- California: SB 868 legalizes plug-in solar up to 1,200 watts from January 2027. We cover rules, costs and renter limits.
- Clean Power Alliance: A two-year pilot with a zero generation charge from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
New York, Maryland and Florida
- New York: The second installment of the Sustainable Future Program, announced September 22, 2026, funds heat pumps and solar.
- New York meter socket adapters: Regulators approved a two-year pilot for devices that connect solar and batteries.
- Harford County, MD: An online map of 26 proposed solar and battery projects.
- Maryland: A 20-year agreement to buy about half the output of a 300 MW solar project.
- Orlando, FL: Income-qualified renters get portable heat pumps, solar panels and other devices.
What to ask before you sign up
- Is the savings figure guaranteed or an estimate, and how is it calculated?
- Are there fees, contract terms or cancellation penalties?
- Does your utility and address qualify, and is there a waitlist?
- For a group buy or application window, check the dates. Several above have closed.
We add programs as they launch. For related coverage, browse our Renewable Energy section and our permit portals guide.