Community Solar Savings Calculator
Monthly savings, total contract value, and year-by-year breakdown for your community solar subscription.
| Year | Annual savings | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $180 | $180 |
| Year 5 | $187 | $918 |
| Year 10 | $197 | $1,883 |
| Year 15 | $207 | $2,897 |
| Year 20 | $217 | $3,963 |
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your current electricity bill
Start with your average monthly electricity bill and your utility's current rate in cents per kWh. Your bill should be on your utility statement — or check your utility's website for the tariff rate. The US average is about 14¢/kWh in 2026, but rates vary from 9¢ in Louisiana to 30¢+ in Hawaii and California.
Enter your community solar subscription terms
The discount percentage is what your provider offers off your utility rate — typically 5-15% for market-rate programs, up to 20-25% for low-income programs. The subscription size in kW is your allocated share of the community solar project, usually sized to cover 50-100% of your monthly usage. Your provider will quote both figures in the contract.
Review contract length and escalator
Most community solar contracts are 20-25 years. The escalator clause determines how the credit rate changes each year — 0% means your discount stays fixed while utility rates rise (your savings grow over time); 1-2% means your credit rate grows by that percentage annually. Read this clause carefully — it directly impacts long-term value.
Check cancellation terms
Some programs allow free cancellation if you move; others charge a flat fee of $250-$1,000. Enter any cancellation fee to see its impact on net savings. If you move, most providers let you transfer your subscription or cancel it — confirm this before signing.
The Formula
The escalator clause works like compound interest — but on your savings. A 1% escalator on $1,200/year in savings grows to $1,464/year by year 20, boosting total contract savings by about 12% versus a 0% escalator. Without an escalator, your fixed discount becomes worth more as utility rates rise.
Example
Maria in Chicago — Renter, 2 kW subscription
Maria rents an apartment and pays $130/month for electricity at 13¢/kWh. Her community solar provider offers a 10% discount with a 20-year contract and no escalator.
At $156/year and a 0% escalator, Maria saves over $3,100 in 20 years with zero upfront investment and no equipment to maintain. If ComEd raises rates 3%/year, her actual savings grow each year — making the real 20-year total closer to $4,200.