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One bill or two, count every cost.

A solar credit reduces part of the utility bill. A subscription charge pays the solar provider.

The amount you pay in total depends on both, plus any fees.

Compare the bill examples Read the solar overview

Utility-consolidated billing

The credit and subscription charge appear on one utility bill.

You pay the resulting bill to the utility under the applicable arrangement.

Consolidated billing may be optional or unavailable for a specific project. A solar credit on the bill by itself does not mean the subscription charge is included.

Separate billing

The utility applies the credit. The solar provider sends a separate subscription invoice.

Add both bills and any fees to see the combined cost.

For the initial illustration, the utility bill is $50.00 and the provider bill is $135.00. The combined cost is $185.00. Those are sample amounts, not a price quote.

Use the same amounts in both views

The initial month uses an original bill of $200.00, a solar credit of $150.00, a subscription charge of $135.00 and fees of $0.00.

The combined cost is $185.00, an illustrative difference of $15.00 for that month. Switching tabs changes where the charges appear, not the calculation.

Enter additional monthly fees rather than assuming they are absent. If the charges exceed the credit, the example shows an added cost. Equal values show no monthly difference.

Illustrative month, not an offer. Change the amounts to compare credits with all costs. Both views use the same month and amounts. Your project, utility and contract determine which billing arrangement is available.

Illustrative monthly amounts

Amounts are rounded to cents. Use only the credit applied to this month's bill, no higher than the original bill.

Credits and charges on one bill

In this utility-consolidated model, the credit and subscription charge appear on the utility bill.

Utility bill

Illustrative month
Original utility charges
+$200.00
Solar credit applied
−$150.00
Subscription charge
+$135.00
Additional fees
$0.00
Utility bill to pay
$185.00
Combined amount paid
$185.00
Illustrative monthly savings
$15.00

The subscription is 10% below the credit value, before additional fees. The savings equal 7.5% of the original bill after the fees entered here.

Actual usage, project generation, credit timing and fees can change the result. Excess credits may carry forward under utility rules; this example does not assume a cash refund. Compare the utility bill and contract before subscribing.

A credit discount is not a whole-bill discount

With the initial assumptions, the subscription costs 10% less than the value of the solar credit, before fees. But the resulting monthly savings are 7.5% of the original utility bill.

The credit applies to only the portion represented by the project’s allocation. Usage, fixed charges, project generation and the subscription formula can change the result. The calculator does not promise a recurring discount or annual savings.

Credit value
The value of the credit applied to the utility bill.
Subscription charge
The cost paid to the solar provider, whether on one bill or a separate invoice.
Combined cost
The amount owed after the applied credit, subscription charge and fees.

Match the credit to the right billing period

A credit may arrive after the period when the solar project generated electricity. The subscription invoice may have another payment date. Compare matching periods and ask which production month each bill represents.

A subscription sized too large for your usage can create unused credits. Carry-forward, expiry and treatment when you move depend on utility rules and the agreement.

Why this calculator limits the applied credit

This is a single-month cash-bill illustration. It accepts a credit no higher than the original bill so that it does not show a negative utility bill as money paid back to you.

If your bill shows excess credits, enter only the credit applied to that month and review the remaining credit balance separately. A carried credit is not assumed to be a cash refund or available monthly savings.

Billing arrangements depend on your state and project

A state listing is an information route, not proof of an available Community Savings subscription. Confirm the utility account, the actual project and the agreement’s billing disclosure.

Choose a state and read its official resources
Minnesota billing context

Subscription charges are normally separate unless the applicable optional consolidated-billing arrangement is selected. Confirm which program and contract apply.

Read Minnesota guidance and sources
Maryland billing context

Consolidated billing is an available option, not automatic for every subscription. Some contracts still use separate bills.

Read Maryland guidance and sources
Delaware billing context

Delmarva applies solar credits to the electric bill. A separate provider subscription bill is currently described in PSC guidance; confirm the arrangement in your agreement.

Read Delaware guidance and sources
Illinois billing context

Projects may bill separately or use an available utility subscription-billing option. Check the offer's disclosure rather than assuming one bill.

Read Illinois guidance and sources
Maine billing context

The utility applies generation credits; the provider sends a separate subscription bill. Fixed charges and unused credits can affect the result.

Read Maine guidance and sources
Rhode Island billing context

A credit appears on the utility bill. The subscription payment arrangement depends on the project; a credit alone does not establish consolidated billing.

Read Rhode Island guidance and sources
New York billing context

Many projects can use separate billing or optional net crediting. Automatic Statewide Solar for All credits have different rules. Confirm the specific arrangement.

Read New York guidance and sources

Check the contract against the bill

Keep a copy of the agreement and disclosures. Ask the provider to show how a sample credit, charge and fee would appear for your utility account.

Read Treasury’s subscription checklist

The optional email route can help you bring a general billing question about the next step. It does not enroll you or deliver a provider application. Keep utility-account records and eligibility documents in the authorized provider process.

Prepare a solar billing question

Phone assistance is separate and voluntary. Read about Free Phone & Mobile Service.

  • Credit calculation, subscription price, possible price changes and every fee.
  • One-bill or two-bill payment instructions, invoice dates and credit delays.
  • Unused-credit carry-forward, expiration and what happens if you move.
  • Cancellation notice, exit fees, transfer rules and contract length.
  • Account-holder consent, project capacity and the billing-support contact.

DOE’s community-solar basics · Treasury’s consumer contract guide

Educational guidance reviewed November 3, 2026. The illustrations are hypothetical; state sources are linked from the local guidance. Your utility rules and project contract control the actual credits, payments and timing.