The City of Cambridge and Community Development Department today announced the addition of community solar to its long-standing Sunny Cambridge program. Now all Cambridge residents, regardless of whether they rent or own, can leverage online tools and resources from Sunny Cambridge to shop and compare community solar projects or rooftop solar installations. 

Community solar, also known as shared solar, solar gardens, or solar farms, allows anyone with an electricity bill and an available solar project nearby to subscribe. Without having to install solar on their own home, most community solar subscribers save 10% on the solar electricity they’re purchasing through community solar, resulting in a lower electricity bill. Massachusetts is home to dozens of local programs with some of the country’s best savings, including projects that offer income-eligible customers even greater savings.

Through the Sunny Cambridge citywide initiative, residents will have access to valuable educational resources, calculators and marketplaces to help you learn about and shop for solar with confidence. These services are completely free and 100% online through Energysage, a Boston-based organization the City of Cambridge has been working with since 2016. Residents would not be contacted by phone unless it’s requested. 

Cambridge residents interested in subscribing to a local community solar farm should visit energysage.com/p/cambridge/ to learn more and sign up. 

Sunny Cambridge represents just one way that the City is helping residents save money on their energy bills and reduce greenhouse gases. Residents who are interested in learning about similar programs that promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, or help save money on energy bills can visit www.cambridgeenergyalliance.org.