We believe in a future powered by the sun and owned by the community.
What Makes BCSC Unique
We’re a Co-op. Owned and governed by community members, not outside developers.
Multi-Stakeholder Model. Workers, subscribers, and investors each have a defined role.
Equity-Driven. Built for renters, small orgs, and frontline communities.
Flexible Hosting. Building owners can save or earn by partnering with us.
Rooted in Justice. Every decision centers community wealth and energy equity.
How It Works
1. Solar Panels Are Installed on a Community Rooftop. BCSC partners with a building owner (like a nonprofit, church, or business) to host a solar array on their roof. There’s no upfront cost to the host—BCSC handles everything: design, permits, installation, and maintenance.
2. The Solar Energy Is Sold to the Utility. The electricity produced by the rooftop array flows into the local utility grid. The utility buys this solar power and tracks how much is generated.
3. Local Residents and Organizations Subscribe. Community members sign up to become “subscriber-members.” Subscribers receive monthly credits on their utility bill—typically saving around 20%.
4. The Co-op Owns and Governs the Project. Instead of a big developer owning the system, the co-op (that’s us!) owns it. Worker-owners manage and maintain the system. Subscribers get voting power in co-op decisions—one member, one vote.
5. Profits Stay in the Community. Surplus revenue is shared among worker-owners or reinvested locally. No outside corporate owners—just community-driven solar for the long haul.
Why we call is Community Solar 2.0
We call it Community Solar 2.0 because it keeps ownership, profits, and control local. In traditional community solar, subscribers get a bill discount but own nothing. Workers develop projects for third-party companies they don't own. And the capital comes from banks or outside investors, so interest payments and returns flow out of the community.
Our model flips this. Subscribers become co-op owners—they get their bill discount AND build equity. Workers who develop and manage the arrays are co-op owners too, not hired hands for distant corporations. Local investors provide the capital and earn fair returns that stay in the community. Everyone shares decision-making power. Instead of extracting wealth, Community Solar 2.0 builds it locally—from the energy generated to the ownership structure itself.
We advance energy justice by creating community-owned solar projects that directly benefit environmental justice communities. Utilizing investment tax credits, grants, community lenders and community investment we finance solar infrastructure while ensuring the community retains ownership and profits. This model reduces energy costs and provides financial opportunities, allowing residents to benefit from clean energy and build wealth, fostering economic resilience and inclusion in the clean energy future.
Community Solar Model
How to Get Involved
At Boston Community Solar Cooperative, we bring together four key players to power community-owned solar:
Worker-Owners organize, manage the development, and maintain the projects. They’re the backbone of the co-op and help shape its direction.
Subscriber-Owners receive clean, discounted electricity. They benefit directly and help govern the co-op.
Community Investors provide some of the funding to launch projects and receive modest, mission-aligned returns.
Rooftop Hosts are organizations like nonprofits, churches, developers or businesses that offer their rooftops for solar panels, helping bring solar to their communities.
Cooperative
Worker-Owners
The builders, maintainers, and organizers who keep the co-op running through shared labor and lived community knowledge.
What You Do: Help run the co-op; things like installing solar, organizing events, or supporting outreach. Just a few hours a week makes a difference!
What You Pay: A $100 one-time membership fee, with discounts available if cost is a barrier
You’re an Owner: You become a Worker-Owner, with a say in co-op decisions and a seat at the table.
Earn as You Contribute: You get paid hourly for your contributions, typically ~4 hrs per week. Additionally, you will share in co-op profits relative to how many hours you work.
