All available kW Units of Community Solar have been subscribed, and we are not able to take any further applications.
If interested, your name can be added to a first-to-know list if units become available. If that is the case, please submit your name, address and phone number to community.solar@laurenselectric.com.
Solar
through the
Power of Community
You can go solar without installing panels on your property
Community Solar gives members the opportunity to share in the benefits of solar power, even if they can't, or prefer not to install solar panels on their property.
Solar Energy
Community Solar Produces Electricity
Produces Electricity
Electricity Produced Becomes Energy (kWh) Credits
To power your home
Energy (kWh) Credits Are Applied To Your Electric Bill
Pricing
Upfront Charge
$50 per kW unit. One-time $20 administrative fee.
Monthly Charge
$14 per kW unit
Monthly Credit
10 cent credit per kWh
How it Works
1.Pick the number of kW units you would like to purchase energy from. For the average home, one kW unit will cover approximately 12.5 percent of the home’s energy use. The nice thing about community solar is that it can be added incrementally, meaning you can start off with just one or two units and add more as they become available.
2.Complete the subscription agreement that indicates the number of kW units at an upfront cost of $50 each (maximum 5 per member).
3.Start receiving energy (kWh) credits on your monthly electric bill. Each month you will receive a portion of the production from the community solar community. This portion is 10 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).
Energy Usage
The average LEC residential member uses approximately 1200 kWh per month. Percentages are based on average use.
Solar Energy = Average Monthly Production = Average Home Energy Use Per Month
*Please note: these figures are only averages; solar energy production will fluctuate month to month based on weather and time of year.
More Reasons to go Solar
- You are being environmentally friendly by using power from a renewable resource
- It's easier, hassle-free; no installers at your home or drilled holes in your roof
- No Home Owners Assocation (HOA) restrictions to overcome
- No liability
- Subscriptions are transferrable
Community Solar Frequently Asked Questions
What is community solar?
Solar communities are groups of solar panels kept at one location. They offer members a solar energy option. This means members get a credit on their bill for the solar energy generated without needing to have equipment attached to their home.
How does community solar work?
Members subscribe to the output from LEC’s community solar site for a 20 year period. Choose the number of kilowatt (kW) units you would like to subscribe to. For the average LEC member’s home, one kW unit will cover approximately 12.5% of the home’s energy use. You can add more kW units at any time, as long as they are available.
When energy production begins, each month you will receive a portion of the production from the solar community, based on the number of kW units you have chosen to subscribe to.
Members pay a portion of the cost per kW unit upfront, and the remainder of the cost is paid in a monthly charge. The output of those kW units is credited back to the member at 10 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). Members pay a one-time $20 administrative fee for participating in the program.
Pricing
Upfront Charge: $50 per kW unit
Monthly Charge: $14 per kW unit
Monthly Credit: 10 cents per kWh
*one-time administrative fee of $20
Who can participate?
Any LEC residential member may participate in the community solar program on a first come, first served basis.
Am I buying a portion of the community solar farm or just the energy from it?
Members are subscribing to the energy produced by the solar farm in kW units.
Are there participation term limits?
The overall program term is 20 years. The minimum term participation is 2 years, and requires a 30 day notice of cancellation.
Is there a limit to how many kW units I can subscribe to?
The minimum a member can subscribe to is one kW unit. The maximum is 5 kW.
What is the average production per year?
LEC’s first community solar array will produce approximately 100 kW per month, which is roughly equivalent to the energy used by 13 average homes in LEC’s service area. However, it is important to note that solar production will vary from month to month based on weather and time of year. For the average home, one kW unit will cover approximately 12.5 percent of the home’s energy use.
How does this cost of community solar compare to installing a solar power system on my house?
While the cost of installing solar panels on your home varies greatly from house to house, Laurens Electric Cooperative has attempted to keep the Community Solar pricing in line with the average cost of putting solar panels on the home.
If my solar subscription produces more energy than I use, does LEC buy it back?
If your subscription produces more energy than your home consumes in one month, the extra solar energy goes into a “bank” on your account that will be used in the next month or months.
How do solar tax credits work?
The tax credits are figured into the Community Solar program pricing.
What if there is storm damage to the solar farm?
If the community solar arrays are damaged during a storm, members will receive a proportionate share of the energy produced by any non-damaged panels while repairs are made.
What happens if I move?
If a community solar member moves from one home served by LEC to another home served by LEC, the solar energy subscription moves with the member. If a member moves out of LEC’s service area, the subscription can remain at the current location or be re-marketed by LEC. However, the upfront charge paid when beginning the program is not refundable.
I want to participate in
LEC's Community Solar Program