Cooperative Solar

If you’re interested in the benefits of a rooftop solar system but are concerned about whether a rooftop installation is right for you, then click on the Solar Tool below.

Solar Tool

If it doesn't make sense for you to install rooftop solar, consider Cooperative Solar. 

As a Cooperative Solar subscriber, you’ll receive clean, affordable, renewable solar energy directly from Sumter EMC’s portfolio of solar energy facilities. 

Sumter EMC takes on the risk of ownership and maintenance, while you receive your share of the sun without the hassle!

Rooftop Solar Panels

The energy produced is credited directly to the member’s electric bill, and any excess generation is applied through Sumter EMC’s Net Energy Metering policy.

Solar Panel Picture

Get Hassle-free Cooperative Solar

Sumter EMC Cooperative Solar makes it easy for our members to have all the benefits of solar energy without the hassles. For answers to our most frequently asked questions, see the FAQ section below.

Sumter EMC has invested in a utility-scale solar facility and will be offering blocks of Cooperative Solar energy to residential members. If you sign up, solar energy from the Cooperative Solar facility will be used to offset your residential energy usage without any of the hassles associated with having solar panels installed on your property. Here’s how it works:

FAQs

Ready For Cooperative Solar?

Complete and submit the form below to begin the enrollment process for Cooperative Solar. Your name will be placed in the queue on a first-come, first-served basis to be contacted by a Sumter EMC solar representative.

Apply for Cooperative Solar

Please complete this application to apply for Cooperative Solar. 

Solar Energy Purchase Options
I authorize Sumter EMC to bill my account for the solar electricity option I have selected above. I have reviewed and agreed to the terms of service for participating in the Sumter EMC Cooperative Solar program. I understand that I can elect to withdraw from the Sumter EMC Cooperative program at any time by notifying Sumter EMC of my intent to withdraw from the program.
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Terms of Service
Applicability: Sumter EMC Cooperative Solar electric service program is only available to residential members served by Sumter EMC under Rate Schedule RS-9B, Residential Service, and successor rate schedules.

Members billed under Sumter EMC's Prepay service are not eligible to participate in Cooperative Solar. 

Members who participate in Cooperative Solar shall be charged for electric service purchased under that rate schedule which would otherwise be applicable of the Member was not participating in Cooperative Solar. Charges and credits under rate Rider CS-1 shall be added to (or credited against, as appropriate) such otherwise applicable rate schedule to determine the net amount owed to Sumter EMC by the member (or owed to the Member by Sumter EMC, as appropriate).

Availability: Members may apply for and purchase up to 2 blocks of solar energy on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the total number of blocks under the Sumter EMC Cooperative Solar program has been purchased, additional eligible members will be placed on a waiting list and may begin participating in the program as blocks become available.

Members are not required to sign a long-term contract and may withdraw from Cooperative Solar at any time by notifying Sumter EMC. Prior participants wanting to rejoin the program may be placed on a waiting list due to the limited availability of solar energy blocks.

If a member participating in the Cooperative Solar program moves from one location to another location served by Sumter EMC and wants to remain in the program, then the Member will remain in the program, provided that the Member meets all the program's eligibility requirements at the new service location.

Pricing and Energy Production: Blocks of solar electricity are $25 per block, per month. Each block is expected to generate between 136 and 237 kilowatt-hours of energy per month based upon variables such as the sun's position, the season of the year, weather conditions, and other factors. 

Billing: Members who participate in Cooperative Solar will be billed each month as follows: 
  1. A charge of $25 for each 1.25 kW ac solar energy block; plus
  2. All charges contained in the Cooperative's rate schedule that would otherwise be applicable in the Member was not participating in Cooperative Solar, except that the energy-related charges in such rate schedule shall be applied to the Member's Net Energy (Net Energy is the positive difference between the electricity supplied to a Member from the electric grid by the Member's solar energy block(s) during the prior calendar month; plus
  3. A credit equal to the Purchase Rate per kWh in the Cooperative's Net Energy Metering Schedule NEM-1F and successor rate schedules, times the Member's Excess Net Energy. (Excess Net Energy is the positive difference between the electricity generated and fed into the electric grid by the Member's solar energy block(s) during the prior calendar month and the electricity consumed by the Member during the current Billing Period, which is the time period between the dates on which the Cooperative normally reads the retail service meter for billing purposes).