Community & shared solar

Minimum subscription size tool

Check your target subscription size against typical provider minimums for your program type, and see exactly how much you'd need to add if you fall short.

Your numbers

1 Your target subscription
Use the result from the subscription size calculator if you have it.
Check with your provider which program category applies to you.
2 Custom minimum Optional
If you have an exact figure from your provider, enter it here to override the typical estimate above.
Add this to see the dollar cost difference if you need to subscribe at the minimum.

How it works

Two steps to checking eligibility

Step 1

Know your target subscription size

Run the subscription size calculator first if you haven't already, so you're checking a real target rather than a guess.

Step 2

Pick the right program category

Low income and moderate income programs often have much lower minimums than standard residential ones. Check the for low income households tool if you might qualify for a reduced minimum.

Understanding subscription minimums

Why minimums exist at all

Providers set a minimum subscription size partly to keep administrative costs proportional to the value of each account, since processing a tiny subscription costs roughly the same as processing a large one. A typical standard residential minimum sits around 1,200 kWh a year, which is a modest usage level for most households. Compare that against your calculated need with the subscription size calculator. A rooftop system has its own practical lower bound too, covered by the minimum viable system size calculator.

What to do if your target is below the minimum

If your calculated target sits below the program minimum, you have two practical options: subscribe at the minimum size anyway, which slightly overshoots your usage and costs a bit more than strictly needed, or check whether a low income or moderate income program applies to you with a lower threshold. See the for low income households tool to check the second option. If a small overshoot still doesn't fit your monthly budget, the monthly budget fit calculator can help confirm whether it's actually manageable, and the DSIRE database can confirm whether a state-specific assistance program applies to you.

How commercial minimums differ from residential ones

Small business and commercial community solar programs are structured around much higher usage accounts, so their minimums, often 5,000 kWh a year or more, reflect that scale. If you're subscribing on behalf of a small business rather than a household, use the small business program type and expect a different discount structure as well. The DSIRE database keeps the current program details, and it is worth a look before you decide.

Where to check the exact number for your area

Typical minimums vary by state and provider, so treat the figures here as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Confirm the exact minimum during enrollment, and compare it against the maximum subscription size tool if your usage is on the higher end instead. The Department of Energy's community solar basics guide confirms minimum sizes are set at the program level rather than nationally, which is exactly why confirming directly with your provider matters.

Questions

Frequently asked

Most standard residential community solar programs set a minimum around 1,200 kWh a year, roughly equivalent to a small household's usage. Low income program minimums are often much lower, sometimes as little as 200 kWh a year, to keep enrollment accessible.

You can still subscribe at the program minimum even if it's larger than your target offset, which means a slightly higher subscription cost than strictly needed. Some providers also offer a lower minimum through low income or moderate income program tracks if you qualify.

Yes, minimums vary by provider, state program rules, and sometimes by the specific shared array's capacity. Always confirm the exact minimum with the provider you're considering rather than relying on a general figure.

Yes, small business and commercial subscriptions typically require a much larger minimum, often 5,000 kWh a year or more, since these programs are structured around higher usage accounts. Check with the provider directly if you're subscribing on behalf of a business.

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