Community Solar SubscriptionProgram

For Western Massachusetts EVERSOURCE customers

Sign up for the waiting list

RIVer valley co-op in easthampton partnered with Co-op Power to power low-income homes

🌞 Save up to 15% on your electric bill with a community solar subscription

Community solar lets you benefit from local solar energy without installing panels on your home.

Instead of putting solar on your roof, you subscribe to a share of a nearby solar array. That solar energy is fed into the grid, and subscribers receive the benefits.

Co-op power manages two solar subscription projects. At this time, both projects are fully subscribed. If you would like to be placed on the waiting list, please fill out the short form using the green button below.

  1. Alternative Power and Energy in the Berkshires.

  2. River Valley Coop Parking Canopy

⚡ How the APE Eversource program works (Direct payout)

The APE Eversource program operates differently than most subscription solar. You receive a payout for 15% of your subscription share, deposited in your Common Good account (Common Good is our payment processor).

⚡ How the River Valley Coop program works (Dual Bill)

In Massachusetts, most community solar operates through a dual-billing system based on net metering credits, administered by Co-op Power.

How savings are generated:

  • A shared solar project produces electricity and delivers it to the grid.

  • The electric utility converts that production into net metering credits based on the value of the electricity generated.

  • These credits are allocated to your electric account to cover most — but not all — of your typical energy use, ensuring credits are not over-allocated or wasted.

  • The utility pays the value of those credits to Co-op Power, the community solar administrator.

  • Co-op Power then invoices you for 85% of the value of the credits received, effectively providing solar power at a discount.

  • You continue to pay the utility directly for the remaining portion of your electricity use not covered by solar.

What this means for you:

  • Two bills (one smaller utility bill + one Co-op Power invoice)

  • About 15% savings overall on the portion of your electricity covered by community solar

Participation is voluntary, flexible, and cancelable at any time.

Local Impact / Community Section

Community solar in Western Massachusetts is about more than savings — it’s about local ownership and energy justice.

These projects help:

  • Keep energy dollars circulating locally

  • Expand access to clean energy for people historically left out

  • Reduce fossil fuel reliance in our region

This is solar built with community input, not corporate-driven development.

🤝 Who We Are

This program is led by the CT River Valley Community Energy Co-op, part of the broader Co-op Power network.

We are a member-owned cooperative working to build a just, community-controlled clean energy future across Western Massachusetts.

Why Join the CT River Valley Community Energy Co-op?

When you subscribe to community solar through Co-op Power, you’re not just a customer — you become a member-owner of a democratic cooperative.

As a member, you have:

  • One member, one vote, a voice in co-op decisions, and a direct role in growing community-owned clean energy

Learn more about Subscription Solar on our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS page.