An Overview of Perch Energy's Community Solar Program

What Is Perch Community Solar?

Perch Energy is a Boston-based clean energy company on a mission to make solar power accessible for everyone—not just homeowners with south-facing roofs.

Instead of installing solar panels, Perch Community Solar connects you to a shared local solar farm. That solar farm generates renewable energy and feeds it into your state’s power grid. You still get your electricity from your local utility company, but Perch helps you earn bill credits that lower your monthly costs. It’s a win-win for your wallet and the planet.

Community solar lets consumers benefit from solar power without owning a system themselves. Community solar is an excellent option for people who are unable to install solar panels on their roofs because they are renters or don’t want to pay for installation. And the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reports that more than 6.7 gigawatts of community solar capacity have already been installed across the U.S.—enough to power over 1 million homes. That’s a lot of sunshine doing serious work.

Perch Energy Provider Score

At Electricityrates.com, we take our provider’s reputation seriously.  We only work with energy providers who are customer-centric, product-focused, and driven by innovation.  Based on our research, we have scored Perch in the following four areas that we examine when evaluating provider partners.

• Product Offering 5/5: Perch Energy manages over 150 solar farm projects and steers more than $28 million in discounts to subscribers. Proving its promise of affordable and renewable energy solutions.
• Customer Support 4.5/5: With an easy-to-use platform, they ensure subscribers benefit from solar credits and can reach out via chat, phone, or email at any time.
• History and Outreach 5/5: This community solar company is a certified B Corporation with over 26,000 subscriptions. Perch’s mission is to make green energy universally accessible with a deep commitment to the community and planet.
• Customer Reviews 4/5: Perch Energy is certified with the Better Business Bureau, and with their rapid growth, it is clear that customers can’t get enough of this community solar provider.

What is Community Solar

The first community solar farms emerged in 2006, and today they are the fastest-growing segment of the solar industry. They allow everyone to benefit from solar power without installing panels or equipment.

Community solar is when a group of people shares electricity from a local solar farm. The model allows multiple customers, such as individuals, businesses, and nonprofits, to benefit from a solar project within a specific region. Customers subscribe to solar panels located off-site. They receive a credit on their electric bill for the electricity produced by the portion of the community solar they own.

How Perch Community Solar Works

Think of Perch Energy as your solar matchmaker. Here’s how it works:

1. Check availability in your ZIP Code or utility territory. If there is an open community solar farm you can join, Perch will assign you a share based on your electrical usage.
2. Subscription to a solar share (sometimes called “shares”, “panels”, “allocation”, or “solar credits”) in a community solar farm. That share produces solar energy that is fed into the grid.
3. Utility credits go to your bill: Your share of solar energy produces energy credits. These credits appear as a negative line item on your utility bill, reducing what you owe to your utility.
4. You pay Perch for those credits: After your utility credit is applied, Perch sends you an invoice for those same credits—but at a discounted rate (i.e., less than their full value), so the net result is still a lower combined cost than before enrolling.
5. Savings accumulate over time: Because solar production fluctuates with seasons, your monthly credits will vary. But unused credits roll over, so over the course of a year, you should see overall savings in the range of about 10-15% on your electricity costs.
6. Flexibility: There are no upfront installation costs, no long-term contracts in many cases, no cancellation fees, and you can often adjust your subscription. If you move, Perch has provisions for what happens next (eligibility in new location, etc.).

Your home still gets power from the same electric lines. The difference is that you’re now part of a greener, more affordable energy future without lifting a finger. Perch even handles all the behind-the-scenes coordination between your utility and the solar project. You just sit back and enjoy the lower bills and the eco-conscious vibes. Perch simply adds another layer—enabling you to earn savings through renewable energy credits in addition to your electricity plan.

Where Does Perch Energy Operate?

Perch is currently live in seven U.S. states including Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C. They plan to launch in Chicago soon, expanding Perch’s reach into the Midwest energy scene.

If you’re lucky enough to live in one of these states, you can join a Perch community solar project today and start saving without changing your utility company.

How Billing Works With Perch Community Solar

Here’s the beauty of Perch Energy’s billing system—you keep your same utility company, same service, and same reliability. The only change? Your electric bill gets smaller. Each month, your share of the solar farm’s energy production generates solar credits on your utility bill. These credits offset part of your electricity costs, typically saving you 5–15% annually, depending on your state and utility. Perch then sends you a separate statement (1-3 months later) showing your solar share and how your savings were calculated. It’s transparent, simple, and automatic.

For example, if you earned $100 credit discount off of your April utility bill, you will pay your community solar provider for 90% of that, or $90 in June. Perch passes along that money to the solar farm owner, and you net out with $10 savings, just not during the same month.

This example bill scenario is for a resident on a 10% savings project. Savings rates will vary by state and eligibility factors.

And if you want to maximize your total savings, you can pair Perch’s community solar plan with a low fixed-rate electricity plan from a leading provider. Compare rates and options directly on ElectricityRates.com to see how much more you can save by bundling both.

Why Choose Perch Energy for Community Solar

If you’re skeptical, that’s totally fair. The internet’s full of flashy promises, and when it comes to your electricity bill, trust is everything.

Perch Energy is an established, regulated clean energy company based in Boston with deep partnerships across multiple state solar programs. They are a BBB-accredited business and a certified B Corporation. All data and customer communications are securely encrypted, and their customer service team is always happy to help at customercare@perchenergy.com or 888-893-3633 (M-F, 8 am-7 pm EST).

Plus, Perch Energy reviews from verified customers consistently highlight:

• Reliable monthly savings
• Clear communication and billing transparency
• Seamless setup and account management

Perch is helping over 34,000 homeowners, renters, and businesses save on electricity while investing in America’s renewable future. Many Perch Community Solar reviews mention that setup was fast, savings appeared within the first billing cycle, and customer support was responsive and friendly.

Customers in New York and Massachusetts have reported consistent savings of 10–12%, while businesses appreciate the sustainability boost that comes with being able to say, “We’re powered by local solar.” Head over to our community solar page if you’d like to explore more information about community solar programs.