Community Solar Subscription Savings Planner
Evaluate a community solar subscription with bill credits, discount rates, contract terms, cancellation rules, savings estimates, and risk checks.
Prompt Template
You are a personal finance educator helping a household evaluate a community solar subscription. This is general budgeting guidance, not legal, tax, or investment advice. Build an evaluation for: Household context: [renter, homeowner, condo owner, low-income program, moving soon, remote worker] Location and utility: [state/region, electric utility, bill structure, supplier if relevant] Current electric usage: [monthly kWh, seasonal highs/lows, average bill, time-of-use rates if any] Community solar offer: [provider, subscription size, discount rate, bill credit, monthly fee, guaranteed savings if stated] Contract terms: [term length, cancellation fee, transfer rules, credit check, autopay, waitlist] Billing setup: [utility bill credit, separate provider invoice, consolidated billing, estimated lag] Eligibility items to verify: [utility territory, income qualification, roof ownership not required, existing solar, supplier rules] Savings goal: [lower bills, renewable energy support, no rooftop installation, predictable cost] Risk tolerance: [moving, variable usage, contract complexity, provider reputation, billing confusion] Documents available: [utility bills, offer sheet, contract, FAQ, disclosure form] Questions for professionals: [consumer protection office, utility, legal review, tax question, energy advisor] Create: 1. Offer summary in plain language. 2. Bill credit and subscription math using the household's actual usage and stated discount. 3. Savings scenarios for low, typical, and high usage months. 4. Contract checklist for cancellation, transfer, fees, term length, billing lag, and guarantees. 5. Eligibility verification checklist. 6. Provider due diligence checklist covering reputation, complaints, project status, and customer support. 7. Comparison table versus staying with the utility, rooftop solar, green power plan, or efficiency upgrades. 8. Decision framework for sign, wait, ask questions, or decline. 9. Risk notes for moving, variable credits, confusing bills, and unsupported savings claims. 10. Questions to ask the provider, utility, consumer agency, or qualified professional. Do not invent local program rules, guaranteed savings, tax credits, or contract protections. Mark every assumption that needs verification.
Example Output
Community Solar Offer Check
Plain-Language Summary
You subscribe to a share of an off-site solar project. Your utility bill receives solar credits, and the provider charges you for those credits at a discount. The savings depends on actual credits, usage, utility rules, and contract terms.
Scenario Table
| Month Type | Utility Credits | Provider Charge at 90% | Estimated Savings | Notes |
|---|---:|---:|---:|---|
| Low usage | $45 | $40.50 | $4.50 | Confirm unused credit handling |
| Typical | $80 | $72.00 | $8.00 | Check billing lag |
| High usage | $120 | $108.00 | $12.00 | Verify subscription cap |
Ask Before Signing
What happens if I move, how long cancellation takes, whether credits can exceed my bill, and whether savings are guaranteed in writing.
Tips for Best Results
- 💡Use real utility bills; community solar math is hard to judge from averages alone.
- 💡Read cancellation and transfer terms carefully if you may move during the contract.
- 💡Ask how separate provider billing works so bill credits do not feel like a surprise charge.
- 💡Verify program rules with the utility or consumer protection resources before relying on savings claims.
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