Almost six months ago, ComEd updated its online billing system, which came with many complications. Some customers are still negatively feeling the effects of the update. One group that was heavily affected was those participating in community solar programs.

What is the Illinois Community Solar Program?

The Illinois community solar program allows customers to subscribe to a shared solar panel installation. This is a great option for those who are not able to install their own rooftop panels but still want the benefits of solar power. Essentially, the customer pays the solar provider and then receives credits for their portion of the generated power on their monthly bills. The subscriber’s electricity gets billed at a discounted rate, creating incentives for generating clean energy in the state.

What Happened?

So, when ComEd did a system update in February, it left 4 million electric customers without access to their accounts. Customers could not view their balances or pay online for more than a week; some experienced issues even longer. Also affected were the community solar subscribers. There are 96 community solar installations in northern Illinois and 25,000 community solar subscribers in that area. One-third of them experienced billing issues for months after the update.

The Outcome

Long-delayed credits from solar energy generated in February 2024 are starting to show up on community solar customers’ July 2024 invoices. Some customers were seeing $600 or more in credits. Eventually, in July, subscribed customers finally saw their appropriate credits.

While the ComEd customers are receiving substantial utility credits, a welcome relief that promises to reduce future energy expenses, the community solar bills are just as substantial and will be due right away. This could cause cash flow challenges for some subscribers.

Solutions for Solar Subscribers

  • Converting the credit into a refund check. (Though navigating the system to request the refund could be another issue to overcome.)
  • Requesting a payment plan that matches the number of months they have built up in deferred renewable energy credits. (And again, navigating the system.)

Concerns for Community Solar Companies

Since February, companies with community solar farms have been operating without receiving payment.

Now that the credits are showing up all at once on customer bills, community solar companies will start sending bills that correspond with those credits. Community solar companies should also be sending communications explaining the process. However, customers should be prepared to have large lump sums due on upcoming invoices.

By law, these companies must offer payment plans for the same number of months as the delay, in this case, about six months. Most community solar companies will require subscribers to contact them to set up a payment plan. This could put some companies in a tough spot. There is concern that customers might cancel their subscriptions, take the ComEd credits, and refuse to pay their invoices.

Moving Forward

An ideal solution would be for ComEd to issue full refunds for the energy credits so customers can use them to pay their solar provider.

One customer noted spending an hour on customer service phone lines to get a refund check from ComEd. Many customers will not want to take the time to do this themselves. However, ComEd has said they will release information on how customers can get their refund checks. Customers should look for this information to see if they will be eligible for a refund and how to get it.

While this ComEd system upgrade caused issues in the community solar world, it should not hinder customers from participating. Community solar energy is still a great way to participate in solar energy without installing your own rooftop panels.

Click here for more information on community solar 

Click here to see Community Solar in Action: Starbucks and Nexamp