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What is community solar?
SharePowertm by Groundswell community solar subscriptions enable you and your neighbors to receive the benefits of solar energy from locally produced solar electricity. The solar energy for your subscription is generated at a location like a school or church in your community, so you don’t have to install anything at your home or apartment in order to save money while supporting a cleaner environment.
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Do I have to install any equipment on my home? What if I live in an apartment or rent?
No. That’s the best part! A local community solar array will generate clean energy for your subscription. There is no need to install anything on your home or apartment.
SharePowertm community solar subscriptions are available to renters and homeowners who pay an electricity bill through PEPCO. No installation is required to participate because solar panels at central locations in your community will generate all of the energy for your subscription.
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Who qualifies for SharePower? How do I apply?
SharePowertm by Groundswell community solar subscriptions are available to renters and homeowners in Maryland and Washington, DC, who pay a PEPCO electricity bill.
Additionally, because Groundswell believes that solar energy should not be exclusive, no-cost Empowered subscriptions are available to income-qualified households. These Empowered subscriptions are made possible by our innovative SharePower model and the commitment of SharePower subscribers and supporters to improving energy equity and clean energy access.
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Who qualifies for an Empowered SharePower subscription?
No-cost Empowered subscriptions are available to income-qualified renters and homeowners in Maryland and Washington, DC, who pay a PEPCO electricity bill. Participation in a low-income program in your state may qualify you for a no-cost Empowered subscription. If you have any questions about qualifying for a no-cost Empowered subscription, please contact our customer service team at [email protected] or at (202) 505-3051.
A full listing of ways to qualify can also be found on the SharePower Empowered application, below.
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Will my solar credit be the same every month?
Your SharePowertm solar energy credits will typically be greater during summer months when the sun shines longer and brighter on the solar panels responsible for cost saving solar energy. During shorter, winter months, the sun shines less on those solar panels.
Most SharePower subscribers receive solar energy credits that add up to approximately the cost of their subscription over the course of the year. However, thanks to our subscribers’ commitment to energy equity and improving clean energy access through the innovative SharePower platform, income-qualified, Empowered subscribers are able to cut their annual electricity costs roughly in half.
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How do I log in to my SharePower dashboard?
To view how much energy your subscription has generated, the environmental impact of your subscription, view how many solar credits you have received over time, and access program updates as well as information about how you can save even more money each month log in to your SharePower™ dashboard.
If you cannot access your SharePower dashboard for whatever reason, please contact our customer service team at [email protected] or at (202) 505-3051.
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How does my SharePower subscription impact the community?
Your SharePower subscription prevents greenhouse gas emissions from the old, dirty fuel sources sometimes used to generate electricity. Your SharePower™ dashboard includes an estimate for the greenhouse gas emissions you have prevented through your subscription and shows how many solar credits you have received on your PEPCO electricity bills. See your impact here.
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Where can I find my solar credit on my electricity bill?
Once PEPCO starts applying credits to your bill, you’ll see them on the back of the first page under “Type of Charge.” On the left side, you’ll see something called a “CNM Credit.” CNM stands for “Community Net Metering,” which is what PEPCO calls community solar credits. This section will show how much energy your subscription generated (the number next to kWh or kilowatt hour) and how much money you saved on electricity costs through community solar.
It typically takes about 90 days before solar credits begin to appear on your PEPCO electricity bill due to billing cycles. After that, you will receive solar credits from PEPCO at the end of each month. These solar credits will vary from month to month depending on how much sunlight the solar panels connected to your subscription receive.
However, if you want to confirm that your subscription is active or if you don’t see solar credits from your SharePower subscription on your PEPCO bill after 90 days, please contact our customer service team at [email protected] or at (202) 505-3051. You can also view your past solar credits on your SharePower™ dashboard.
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What happens to my SharePower subscription if I move?
Your SharePowertm subscription can continue saving you money by moving with you to anywhere where you will pay a PEPCO electricity bill within the District of Columbia or Maryland. All you need to do to continue to receive solar energy credits on your PEPCO electricity bill is let the Groundswell’s Customer Service Team know when you plan to move and your new address at [email protected] or at (202) 505-3051.
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What if I want to cancel my subscription?
We hate to see you leave! If there is anything we can do to better serve you, please let us know.
Otherwise, subscriptions can be canceled by contacting Groundswell’s Customer Service Team at [email protected] or at (202) 505-3051. There is no penalty for canceling your subscription. However, Groundswell is unable to refund any subscription fees that have already been paid.