Not every home in India has a rooftop suitable for solar panels—especially apartments and rented houses. The solution? A Community Solar Program. This allows multiple people to share power generated from a single solar farm without installing panels at their homes. In this blog, we’ll explore how community solar programs in India work, their benefits, and how you can join one.
🔆 What is a Community Solar Program?
A community solar program is a shared renewable energy project where a group of residents or businesses invest in or subscribe to a solar farm. Participants then receive credits on their electricity bills for their share of solar power.
🌍 Benefits of Community Solar Programs
- No Rooftop Needed → Perfect for renters, apartments, or shaded homes.
- Lower Cost → Shared installation reduces individual expenses.
- Flexible Subscriptions → Join and exit as per need.
- Eco-Friendly → Clean power without personal infrastructure.
💰 Cost of Joining Community Solar in India
- Subscription plans start as low as ₹500–₹1,000/month.
- Power credits directly reduce electricity bills.
- Bulk installations ensure cheaper per-unit cost than rooftop setups.
📈 Community Solar in India (2025)
- Delhi NCR → Pilot projects with shared solar parks.
- Maharashtra & Gujarat → Government-backed community models.
- Bihar & Uttar Pradesh → Rural co-ops for village-level microgrids.
🙋 FAQs about Community Solar Programs
Q1. Can tenants join community solar?
👉 Yes, you don’t need rooftop access—just an active electricity account.
Q2. Do I need special wiring for community solar?
👉 No, credits are adjusted in your electricity bill directly.
Q3. Is community solar cheaper than rooftop solar?
👉 Yes, because costs are shared, and economies of scale reduce per-unit rates.
Q4. Can small businesses benefit?
👉 Absolutely. Shops and SMEs can reduce monthly bills by subscribing.
Conclusion
The community solar program in India makes renewable energy accessible to everyone—especially renters and small businesses. As awareness grows, expect community solar to become a mainstream power solution across cities and villages by 2030.
