Community Solar FAQs - Residential

Community solar is a program available to OPPD customers which provides them an opportunity to participate in renewable energy through a local solar farm. Instead of installing solar panels on your own home (which can be very costly), community solar utilizes energy produced by a solar farm located right here in our community. This solar farm is comprised of several solar panels, which can produce 5 MW of renewable energy available for our customers.

“Community solar business models increase deployment of solar technology in communities, making it possible for people to invest in solar together. Shared solar falls under the community solar umbrella, allowing multiple participants to benefit directly from the energy produced by one solar array. Shared solar participants typically benefit by owning or leasing a portion of a system, or by purchasing kilowatt-hour blocks of renewable energy generation.”

Yes. Any household can participate, whether or not you own your home. If you are living in a single family home, apartment, condominium, or townhome- you are eligible to participate. 

The solar panels for this project are located in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska near the retired OPPD Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station.

The solar farm has the capacity to produce up to 5 Megawatts of electricity. Visit our Community Solar Dashboard for production information.
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The solar panels are primarily made of monocrystalline silicon, glass, aluminum, and small amounts of other materials common in household electronics.  The panels do not pose a chemical hazard to the public, underlying soil or groundwater.

The site is 77.5 total acres with 35 acres used by the panels.

A customer participates in this program by purchasing “shares” of solar energy. One share equals 100-kilowatt hours of solar energy. Participants can choose the amount of shares they wish to purchase based on availability. Their monthly bill reflects the share cost. Currently all available shares have been purchased. You may, however, add your name to a waitlist here.

Effective April 1, 2024:
Due to recent changes in energy prices, ownership of one share (100kWh) is currently providing a debit (charge) of $0.28 to a customer’s monthly bill. This amount fluctuates and is re-established on an annual basis.

If you purchase 5 shares, your monthly debit would be $1.40 for 500 kWh (5 X $0.28 = $1.40) of solar energy. This price is effective until the next adjustment in April 2025.

To participate in community solar, please call 1-877-536-4131 or sign up online at oppd.com/solar.

There is a one-time, refundable deposit of $100 for residential customers. This deposit helps OPPD offset the initial cost of the solar farm, which enables our customers to have the option of solar power. The deposit will be on your next bill following enrollment confirmation. Once the terms of agreement are met, the deposit will be fully refunded.

Yes, a monthly share rate will be applied to your OPPD bill, and you have the choice of how many shares you wish to purchase. The price of the share is subject to change each spring.

Yes, but only during the month of March and based on share availability. Every February, OPPD will analyze the solar rates and adjust them as needed based on the current market price for solar. In March, you may choose to sell some or all of your shares. However, you may not be able to purchase additional shares if none are available for purchase. If you wish to purchase more shares than you currently own, and none are available for purchase, you will need to add your name on the wait list here.

The share rate will be evaluated annually in February and may change based on the current market rate for solar energy.

The rate adjustment will be based on the current market based value of solar energy. The expectation is the rate will not increase or decrease more than $1 per share.

A term contract of five years is required for residential participants of community solar. If the contract is canceled (excluding approved hardships) prior to completion of the term, the $100 initial deposit will be forfeited.

You will see the $100 deposit as a fee on your first bill after enrollment. The share charges (or credit) will appear on your monthly billing statement beginning in April. 

You can decide if you would like to renew your contract for community solar and continue participating in the program. If you choose to discontinue, your $100 deposit will be refunded to your account.

Unfortunately at this time, the Safari browser, which is primarily used by Apple products, is not compatible with the software that drives the solar dashboard. Please use a different browser such as Chrome, Firefox, IE, or Opera for best possible performance.

Your bill will go up or down depending on how many shares you purchase and the price of each share.
For example: If one share costs $1 and you purchase one share, $1 will be added to your monthly bill.

Yes, your level payment plan will increase based on the number of shares you purchase and the price of each share.
For example: If one Share costs $1 and you purchase one share, $1 will be added to your monthly level payment.

Moving will not affect your participation in community solar, as long as you continue to be an OPPD customer. Your subscription will move to your new property or rental with you. If you move outside of OPPD’s service territory, your account will be closed, and, if applicable, OPPD will refund the $100 deposit, even if it is prior to the end of the five year term of the agreement.

There are no additional surcharges. Taxes will be applied to the total charges of the bill as it is currently.

At this time there are no REC’s available for participating in community solar.

The power from renewable energy sources is mixed with the power from conventional generation sources in OPPD’s electrical system. It may not necessarily be delivered directly to your home. However, your contribution will support renewable energy generation overall and have an environmental impact throughout the entire system. By participating in community solar, you are supporting the bigger initiative of green energy in OPPD’s service territory.

Both the weather and seasonal changes will affect the amount of sun reaching the solar panels. During the summer, the panels will produce more energy because the days are longer and the sun is higher. On a cloudy day, the panels will produce less energy. During the winter, there is a potential for less production because of limited hours of sunlight and potential snow cover.

If you choose to cancel, you will need to send your intent of cancellation in writing to the following address:

OPPD
444 S 16^th St. Mall
Customer Care, E/AR/EP2
Omaha, NE  68102

Yes, you are eligible to participate in other OPPD products and programs such as Green Power, Level Pay, Electrical Line Plan, etc.