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Solar
Join The Community Solar Movement Or Let Us Help You With Your Own System
Blue Ridge Energy has built five community solar gardens that members can subscribe to. The best part? You can join the solar energy movement while we handle the maintenance. For those looking to install solar energy systems at your own home - we can help with that too.
Community Solar
Community solar gardens offer Blue Ridge members easy access to solar energy without the upfront cost and ongoing maintenance of rooftop solar. The program allows members to subscribe to one or more panels and receive a bill credit for the energy they produce.
Common Questions
How much will it cost?
You can subscribe to the energy generated by a solar panel in the community solar garden for $3.75 per month. This new, lower rate is effective 9/2019 for all Community Solar subscribers.
Will the cost of the subscription ever change?
No, you are locking in the production from one solar panel for $3.75 as long as you stay subscribed. Blue Ridge will operate the community solar gardens for a minimum of 20 years and may extend that term as long as the equipment is functional and productive.
What does subscribing to a panel mean?
You are not purchasing a solar panel. Subscribing means you are making a monthly payment in exchange for the energy produced by the panel. You will receive a bill credit for your share of the energy generated. A subscription will require a one year commitment and automatically renews. After the first year, a member can end the subscription at any time without penalty.
How much energy will a panel generate monthly?
The amount of sunlight the panel receives will vary based upon the season and weather. A panel should produce an average of 36 kWh per month. To ensure that all participants get an equal bill credit, Blue Ridge will total the energy generated by all four community solar gardens then divide by the total number of panels. All participants will then receive an equal share as a variable monthly bill credit.
How many panels can I subscribe to?
There is a 10 panel limit per member to allow as many members as possible the opportunity to participate in community solar.
How many panels are available?
Only a few panels remain unsubscribed. Act fast if you want to participate in community solar.
Why is Blue Ridge doing this?
Blue Ridge wants to make going solar simple and easy for our members. Only 22 percent of residential rooftops are suitable for solar due to shading and orientation issues and many renters have no option to install panels. Community solar has no upfront installation or ongoing maintenance costs for subscribers.
What to expect after signing up for the wait list?
As panels become available, our energy solutions team will call you to explain our community solar program options and review your account’s historical energy usage. The call typically takes about 15 minutes. You can then confirm if you would like to subscribe. We are available M-F from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to answer any questions. Please call 1-828-572-6062 to speak with Susan Greer or Jon Jacob about Community Solar.
Solar At Your Home
Rate Options
There are currently two rate options available to interconnect systems up to 100kW in size: Net Metering and Net Billing. Copies of the rate and rider can be reviewed and printed below.
Net Metering
Kilowatt-hours (kWhs) for renewable energy placed on the Blue Ridge Energy grid are credited to the member’s associated electric account on a monthly basis at an amount equal to the most recently approved rate schedule.
The kWh generated and delivered to the Cooperative can only offset kWh used and may not be applied to other charges or taxes.
Net Billing
Kilowatt-hours (kWhs) for renewable energy placed on the Blue Ridge Energy grid are credited to the member’s associated electric account on a monthly basis at 5.0 cents per kWh.
Net Billing accounts may also have the opportunity to contract with North Carolina GreenPower (NCGP) for a renewable energy premium payment (in addition to the local utilities payment).
Members planning to do a Net Billing interconnection should contact NCGP at www.ncgreenpower.org or 866-533-6247 to inquire about any payment options available or current NCGP interconnection requirements, etc.
Questions? Contact Jon Jacob, Director of Marketing, at 800-451-5474, or through your local Blue Ridge Energy office.
Interconnection Options
There are two methods to interconnect systems up to 100 kW in size to the Cooperative’s electric grid: Net Billing (Sell All/Buy All) and Net Metering:
Net Billing (Sell All/Buy All)
Requires a 2nd-meter socket be added adjacent to the existing meter socket, and the renewable system interconnection point is located at the “line” (upstream) side of the existing metering point.
This enables all of the kWhs produced by the renewable system to be placed on the electric grid. Approved renewable systems up to 100 kW in size are eligible for the Net Billing rate.
Net Metering
The renewable energy kWhs are delivered through the existing metering point/meter and enable any “excess” kWhs to flow back on the electric grid.
Approved systems up to 25 kW in size are eligible for the Net Metering rate.
Questions? Contact Jon Jacob, Director of Marketing, at 800-451-5474, or through your local Blue Ridge Energy office.