Solar for renters

Community solar

Community solar

Community solar projects allow you to benefit from solar energy without installing a system where you live. With community solar you buy or lease a share of a nearby solar array. You earn credits on your electric bill for your share of the solar array’s energy production. Most community solar projects will let you stay subscribed if you move as long as you remain in the same utility territory. Community solar is available in 24 states and the District of Columbia.

Plug-in solar

Plug-in solar

Plug-in solar panels are an emerging option for renters who want to power their lives with solar. Plug-in solar panels connect directly to a power outlet. They can be installed on a balcony, in a front or backyard, or on a deck.

Renters can use plug-in solar systems. Before installing a system, you should check with your landlord and local regulations for permission and compliance. 

• Tell your landlord that you plan to purchase a plug-in solar system and where you plan to place it
• Confirm with your landlord that your liability for any damages is clearly outlined in your lease agreement
• If you already have rooftop solar, it’s generally not a good idea to run plug-in solar at the same time. The two systems can interfere with each other, which may lead to things like flickering lights, inverter shutdowns, or inconsistent performance. 

Plug-in solar isn’t available everywhere, yet. We’ve set up a tool that makes it easy to contact your lawmakers to ask them to enable plug-in solar in your state.

Portable solar

Portable solar

There are many portable solar panel systems that can be plugged into at home battery banks or generators. These systems are great for resiliency in the event of power loss. They also allow you to make small household devices 100% solar powered by charging your phone, computer or other devices from a battery bank that gets charged daily from a portable solar panel. 

Some systems are very small and portable and meant for camping. Others can power your refrigerator for several days. When deciding on the best portable solar and battery solution, you should think about what devices you’d like to power and for how long. Some of these battery generators will only work with a compatible solar panel. Others work with many different brands of panels which often means that they are cheaper as there are more compatible options.

Community Choice Aggregation

Community Choice Aggregation

Under Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), local governments buy electricity through direct contracts with energy producers, like solar providers. You can then choose to continue buying your electricity from the utility or from your municipality.

CCA is a way to help communities use more renewable energy than what may be available from the utility. California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Rhode Island allow municipalities to participate in CCA.