Community solar lets you benefit from a shared solar project instead of putting panels on your own roof. That makes it a good fit for renters, condo owners and anyone with a shaded or unsuitable roof. In Canada it comes in two main forms. With utility-run or utility-enabled subscription programs, you get credits on your power bill. With solar co-operatives, you invest in projects through shares or bonds and earn a return. Availability depends heavily on your province.
Key takeaways
- Community solar lets you support or benefit from solar without installing panels at home.
- Bill-credit programs reduce your electricity bill. Co-op investments pay returns but usually don't change your bill.
- Nova Scotia launched a provincial community solar subscription program in 2025. BC Hydro introduced a community generation option in 2026.
- Solar co-ops, such as Ontario's SolarShare, raise money from members to build projects.
- Read terms carefully. Co-op investments carry risk and are not guaranteed like a bank deposit.
Two ways community solar works
1. Bill-credit subscriptions
A solar "garden" or shared facility is built somewhere in your utility's territory. You subscribe to a share of its output, and each month you get a credit on your power bill based on what your share produced. You keep your regular utility account, and nothing is installed at your home.
2. Co-operative investment
A solar co-operative is a member-owned organization that builds and operates solar projects, often on schools, community centres, farms or commercial rooftops. Members invest through shares or bonds and earn interest or dividends from the project's electricity sales. Your own power bill doesn't change. You're an investor and co-owner, not a subscriber.
| Feature | Bill-credit subscription | Co-op investment |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Credits on your electricity bill | Interest or dividends |
| Upfront cost | Often none, or a subscription fee | A minimum investment |
| Effect on your bill | Direct reduction | None |
| Risk | Low; terms set by the program | Investment risk, not guaranteed |
| Can you move? | Often transferable within the utility area | Investment stays with you |
| Best for | Renters, condo owners, shaded homes | People wanting a local, values-aligned investment |
What's available in Canada
Programs change, so confirm details directly with each program or utility. As of 2026:
Nova Scotia
The province's Community Solar Program opened to subscribers in fall 2025. Nova Scotia Power customers who aren't already in another solar program, such as net metering, can subscribe to a community solar garden to offset a portion of their electricity use. They receive a solar credit on their regular bill. Subscribers can generally adjust or cancel their subscription. See our Nova Scotia guide.
British Columbia
When BC Hydro closed net metering to new customers on July 1, 2026, it also introduced a community generation option. A community generator, such as a local organization or co-op, builds a shared renewable facility, and at least two "benefitting customers" subscribe to shares of its credits. Customers already on net metering or the new self-generation rate can't also be benefitting customers. The generator sets the subscription fee and credit shares. See our British Columbia guide.
Ontario
Ontario has a long history of renewable energy co-operatives. One of the best known, SolarShare, has issued solar bonds for many years, funding community-scale projects and paying interest to investors. Bill-credit options for households are more limited, so check with your local utility. See our Ontario guide.
Elsewhere
Renewable energy co-ops and community-owned projects exist in several other provinces, and many Indigenous communities lead significant community energy projects. Availability changes often. Check your province guide and local co-op networks.
Who community solar suits
- Renters, who can't install panels on a building they don't own
- Condo and apartment residents, where shared roofs are hard to use
- Homeowners with shaded, north-facing or ageing roofs
- People who move often and don't want a long-term rooftop commitment
- Investors who want their savings to support local clean energy
If you own a sunny roof, compare community solar with your own system. Our cost and payback guides can help.
Questions to ask before you join
For bill-credit programs
- What's the credit per kWh, and is it fixed for the subscription's life?
- Is there a subscription fee, and how does it compare with expected credits?
- How is my share sized? Is it capped at a percentage of my use?
- Can I change or cancel, and are there penalties?
- What happens if I move?
For co-op investments
- What are the interest or dividend terms, and how long is my money tied up?
- What projects does the investment fund, and how are they performing?
- Is there an offering statement, and has it been filed with the provincial securities regulator where required?
- What are the risks, and what happens if a project underperforms?
- Is the investment eligible for registered accounts such as an RRSP or TFSA?
This is general education, not investment advice. Read offering documents and consider talking to a financial adviser.
Starting a community solar project
Communities sometimes create their own projects, such as solar on a hall, arena, school or church, with local investors or donations. Common steps:
- Form a group, often a non-profit or co-op
- Find a host site with a sound roof or land
- Check utility rules for interconnection and crediting
- Raise funds through grants, member shares, bonds or donations
- Hire qualified designers and installers
Look for municipal, provincial and federal community energy funding through our rebate finder and financing page.
Frequently asked questions
Is community solar cheaper than rooftop solar?
Not always. It often has little or no upfront cost, but the savings are typically smaller than owning a well-sited rooftop system. Its main advantage is access for people who can't install their own.
Does community solar reduce my carbon footprint?
It supports new renewable generation on your local grid, which can reduce emissions where the grid relies on fossil fuels. The impact varies by province. See our carbon section.
Can I do both community solar and rooftop solar?
Usually not with bill-credit programs. Nova Scotia and BC Hydro, for example, exclude customers already on net metering or self-generation rates. Co-op investments are separate, so you can generally invest regardless of what's on your roof.
The bottom line
Community solar and co-ops open clean energy to the many Canadians who can't put panels on their own roof. Bill-credit programs in Nova Scotia and British Columbia offer a direct way to cut your bill, while co-ops let you invest in local projects. Read the terms carefully and check what's available in your province. Explore our solar overview for more.
Sundamentals is an independent, non-profit education platform. Program details and prices change often — check current programs for your address in our rebate finder.