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Your guide to green living in Montgomery County, MD |
Right now, 1 in 6 Montgomery County residents have trouble paying their electricity bill. Meanwhile, the impact of rising fuel prices and pollution continue to hit hardest in communities (near and far) who are least equipped to handle these shifts.
Participating in a Groundswell Community Solar project is not just for saving money; it is for helping the whole community.
By applying to SharePower, income-qualified residents can receive a FREE community solar subscription and save $500 a year on their electricity bills; prevent more than 5,000 pounds of harmful greenhouse gas emissions per year; and support local clean energy jobs.
For a limited time, new income-qualified subscribers will also receive a $50 gift card just for completing the sign-up process.
No-cost subscriptions are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and Montgomery County residents are encouraged to sign up and reserve a spot.
There is no catch – to qualify for the Empowered program and to save up to $500 on your electricity bill, you just have to:
Eligible Programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Affordable Housing Assistance, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and/or Maryland Energy Assistance. *If you’re not sure if you qualify, or for further information, please call (202) 505-3051 to find out.
Eligible Household Income: Montgomery County residents whose total household income does not exceed the following levels are eligible:
Image: Generation 180
Participating in SharePower allows you to…
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The way the ‘community solar power’ model works is very opaque. I wrote to PEPCO (gpc-south@pepco.com) in September 2022 asking for an explanation about the program as listed on their website but never received a reply. And the explanation offered above is equally vague.
The above, at least, acknowledges there is a cost to subscribe to SharePower. But the amount is not stated. As a subscriber, you will receive ‘a credit’ on your electricity bill. Well, how much? Based on what? Do we have to buy ‘green’ electricity – that typically costs more than dirt electricity. And the credit reduces that cost?
It mentions saving 5445 barrels of oil – but over what period? Over what geographic area? How many households? The figure is meaningless.
I really want to be able to support the move towards greener energy and to encourage my friends and neighbors to do do too. But I cannot in good faith recommend a program that is as confusing and, as I say, opaque, as is ‘Community Solar’.
Hello Stephen! My name is Dominique, and I am the Community Engagement Coordinator for Groundswell Inc. All of your questions regarding our project at Paddington Square can be found on our website at Sharepower.groundswell.org! For additional educational resources, please our YouTube channel at youtube.com/@grndswell/videos! We’ve created a series of videos explaining our community solar model, how solar credits are distributed, the cost associated, and so much more!
I’ll be hosting informational events in Montgomery County in March and April, and I’d love for you to join me. For more information, please send me an email! I look forward to speaking with you!
This doesn’t explain how, for a more affluent homeowner (we don’t qualify under the AMI) who’s unable to install solar, we can engage and participate in community solar. Would love to be contacted to know more.
Hi Diana!
I just came across your message and would love to touch base with you. Unfortunately, I don’t have a way to reach out to you personally through this website. Would you kindly send us contact information at customerservice@groundswell.org or call us at (202) 505-3051.
Best wishes,
Chrissy Randolph
Customer Support Manager