Community solar gives everyone the opportunity to share in the benefits of clean solar energy without rooftop installations.

Here’s how it works:

• Solar arrays are built on rural land; typically non-producing farmland and other “brownfield” sites, such as landfills or quarries. The electricity produced on the solar farm goes into the local utility grid. 
• Each month, the utility credits customers’ bills with the value of the solar electricity produced at the farm.
• Customers then pay Altus Power for the solar credits, discounted by up to 10%, each month.
• Customers don’t receive solar electricity directly from the solar farm. Rather, they benefit indirectly by increasing the amount of renewable energy the utility uses each month to supply all customers.

You are a Potomac Edison customer living in the footprint of our service area. Our solar power is already being provided
to Potomac Edison – this program allows you to receive the savings from it.

No, it’s free. There are no sign up fees, no hidden fees or long-term commitments. If you move or change your mind, you can cancel anytime without penalty.

You can rent or own your home. The discount is available to every Potomac Edison account holder in Maryland.

None. The only difference is that when you turn on a light, you’ll know that you’re doing something good for the planet and your wallet.

Community solar farms have been around for years, but are growing dramatically in popularity. Most likely, you’ll be hearing more about this renewable energy initiative in our state!

You can save up to 10% on the costs of electricity. Potomac Edison will credit your utility bill with your share of our solar power as “solar credits.” Solar credits cost 10% less than the energy Potomac Edison generates through non-renewable sources.

Our solar farms are expected to go live in June 2023, which means you could start seeing solar credits applied to your utility bill this summer, depending on the project you’re assigned to. You can then expect to receive your first bill from Altus Power the following month for the value of the solar credits you receive, discounted by 10-20%.

When you join Altus Power, we look at your historical electricity usage. Each month Altus Power will allocate a dollar credit to your Potomac Edison utility account based on production from the solar farm and your total electricity usage (delivery and supply). The dollar amount you are credited on your Potomac Edison bill then appears on your Altus Power statement with your discount, saving you money every month.

Potomac Edison remains your utility provider, so you’ll still get an electricity bill every month. The only difference is that once our farms are live, you’ll receive solar credits on your utility bill, reducing what you owe to Potomac Edison.

Altus Power will then send you a separate statement, reflecting the dollar amount of the solar credits received on your Potomac Edison bill, with your membership discount applied. The total amount for your electricity costs with Altus Power will always be LESS than what you would pay Potomac Edison.

Solar credits can be applied to both supply and delivery charges. Taxes and fees are not included.

You can pay your bill and set up Auto Pay by visiting our Members Center online.

If you need help, please call us at (301) 232-3938.

Visit the Members Center online. Select “I need to set up an online account” to create your account using your Potomac Edison account number. Once your account is created, you’ll have access to managing your communication preferences, updating your payment information, setting up Auto Pay and more! If you’re unable to create an account, please call us at (301) 232-3938.