Community solar programs are created by state law, and many of those laws make sure income-qualified households get a fair share of the savings. If your household gets help like SNAP or Medicaid, or your income is under your county's limit, you may be able to save more.

What the laws do

They set aside space for you. Many projects must reserve part of their capacity for income-qualified subscribers. For example:

  • Maryland requires projects to deliver at least 40% of their output to low- and moderate-income subscribers.
  • Minnesota's current community solar garden program reserves at least 30% of each garden for low- and moderate-income subscribers.
  • Delaware projects certified on or after September 3, 2026 must set aside at least 15% of their output for income-qualified subscribers.

Some protect your savings. A few states limit what income-qualified subscribers can be charged:

  • Maryland: income-qualified subscribers can't be charged more than 90% of the value of their bill credits.
  • Minnesota: at gardens approved since January 1, 2024, the same 90% limit applies.
  • Delaware: at projects certified on or after September 3, 2026, the law sets minimum savings of 20% for income-qualified subscribers.
  • Illinois Solar for All: "The ILSFA program ensures that your fees total no more than half of whatever electric bill value you receive (at the time of starting the subscription) through the Program."

Some enroll you automatically. In New York, newly enrolled Energy Affordability Program customers who live in a disadvantaged community are enrolled in Statewide Solar for All automatically and receive credits without signing up. If that's you, there's nothing you need to do.

Which rules apply depends on your state and on when your project was approved. Your state page lists what applies where you live, and we'll confirm the rules for your project before you sign.

Do I qualify?

There are two common ways to qualify.

1. You or someone in your household receives help from a program like:

  • SNAP (food stamps or EBT)
  • Medicaid
  • Energy bill assistance (LIHEAP, or your state's heating or cooling help)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Section 8, a housing voucher, or public housing
  • Your utility's low-income discount

Which programs count depends on your state and your project. We'll confirm on the call.

2. Your household income is under a limit for your county and household size. Programs often use 80% of the area's median income or 200% of the federal poverty level. Our eligibility form shows both numbers for your county, and you only answer yes, no, or not sure. We never ask for your exact income online.

What you'll need (later, not online)

You don't upload anything on our website. When we call, we'll tell you exactly what your project needs. Usually that's a letter or notice from your benefit program dated within the last 12 months, or recent income documents. We'll help you find the right one.

Lifeline: phone service for less

Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service for eligible households. It's run by the FCC and administered by USAC. Some participating providers offer eligible households a free phone and free monthly service.

Your household may qualify for Lifeline if someone:

  • Gets SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI
  • Gets Federal Public Housing Assistance, including Section 8
  • Gets a Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit

Your household may also qualify if its income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household, and you renew it each year. When we call about community solar, we can help you apply for Lifeline at the same time. Learn more on our income-qualified and Lifeline page.

Protect yourself

  • Ask any representative for their name, ID, and the company they work for.
  • Your utility stays the same. No one enrolling you in community solar should say they're from your utility.
  • Never pay anyone to "hold" a spot or a discount.