Share the Sun Program

Introducing Share the Sun–A Community-Based Solarize the Triad Program that Provides Free and Low-Cost Solar to Qualifying Households in the Triad

We are accepting applications for Share the Sun. Please email hello@solarcrowdsource.com to apply for the program.

All contributions are tax-deductible and administered through the 501(c)(3) organization, Goler Community Development Corporation

Apply for Share the Sun

We believe that solar power should be accessible to everyone– not just those who can traditionally afford it.

What is Share The Sun?

Share the Sun is one part of the greater Solarize the Triad campaign. All Solarize the Triad customers receive discounted rates on solar energy and battery storage through our group-purchasing program, but there are limited funds available to make solar even more affordable for income-qualified households. PowerUp NC is the local partner organization that is connecting with interested participants.

Why Donate to Share the Sun?

Do you want to help make solar available to more of your neighbors? Tax-deductible donations may be made by clicking the green 'Donate' button on this page.

Even at discounted prices, not everyone can afford “going solar.” Recognizing this inequity, Share the Sun is making fully installed solar systems available to qualifying households at no cost or half cost.

A solar installation through the Share the Sun Program can help to reduce monthly electricity bills by up to 80%!

All contributions are tax-deductible and administered through the 501(c)(3) organization, Goler Community Development Corporation.

Donate to Low to Moderate Income Solar Installations

Thank you to our nonprofit partner Goler Community Development Corporation for facilitating donations!

What is Share The Sun?

Apply Today!

We are accepting applications for Share the Sun. Please email hello@solarcrowdsource.com to apply for the program.

Donate to Share the Sun!

Why Donate?

"After hearing about the campaign, my wife and I decided to get a free evaluation on our house and were shocked at how much sense it made. I was skeptical but after doing the analysis, it was a no-brainer. We're both very excited that in a few short weeks, we'll be reducing our power bill, our carbon footprint, and will also have a battery backup for the house. The folks at Renu have been so easy to work with and have met or exceeded every expectation thus far."

Gary
Winston-Salem

"We have wanted to install solar panels for many years, because investing in renewable clean energy is a critical investment for the health of our planet and future generations. The Solarize the Triad program has made it financially possible for us to make this investment."

Andrea
Winston-Salem

"What I love about solar campaigns is that they help accelerate the clean energy transition while making solar energy more affordable for you, for me, and for all our neighbors. We need to bring clean energy into reach for everybody and Solarize the Triad is a great step in that direction."

Matt
Winston-Salem

"The Solarize the Triad Campaign made it so easy to address all the questions and hesitations we had about Solar. We also really valued that Solarize the Triad was a local campaign involving local organizations and residents in the planning and execution as well as an NC solar company. All around, everyone has been incredible to work with and we are excited to be a part of it."

Carter
Winston-Salem

"My wife and I have been interested in installing solar panels on our home for years but have been hesitant because of price and questions about quality assurance. Solarize The Triad solves both our challenges at once by doing the due diligence to ensure quality as well as driving down the cost through crowdsourcing."

Carter
Winston-Salem

"I got involved in Solarize the Triad because I wanted to help people get more affordable access to solar panels. I joined the Steering Committee as an individual community member. I really appreciate the process that Solar CrowdSource has used in including the local community and local organizations in the decision making process and tailoring the program to local interests and concerns."

Susan
Greensboro

"Everything has gone smoothly with my solar project. The folks with Renu have all been courteous, professional, friendly and helpful. I am excited to start generating clean, renewable, zero-emission electricity with free sunlight! I really appreciate all of the effort and positive energy that has gone into organizing and carrying out the Solarize the Triad campaign to help ensure so many of us get top quality photovoltaic arrays installed by an experienced professional company with the most affordable pricing possible. This will certainly help make 2025 an awesome year!"

Minor
Winston-Salem

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Share the Sun?

Share the Sun is a limited time, community-based program of Solarize the Triad that provides no-cost and half-cost solar energy systems to qualifying homeowners in the Triad area of North Carolina.

How do I know if I qualify for a no-cost solar system or a half-cost solar system?

Qualifications include:

Own a home within the Triad area;
Household income up to 80% AMI for a no-cost, fully installed solar system and 81-120% household income for a half-cost, fully installed solar system;
Your electricity is provided by a utility company that has acceptable solar policies including Duke Energy;
Have a roof under 15 years old (priority given to roofs that are ten years or less);
Have a roof that gets a lot of sunlight;
Home is in good structural condition;
Home has already been weatherized for energy efficiency;
Pre-qualification through Solarize the Triad partner organizations including PowerUP NC;
More information about qualifying criteria can be found at https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/share-the-sun-program/.

How does this work?

If you think you are qualified and want to join the program, you will be connected with PowerUP NC and the Solarize the Triad team to talk further. Currently, we only have three systems funded, but we are accepting donations and hope to be able to offer more free and half-cost systems very soon. For those that are selected for the program, the solar installer for Solarize the Triad, Renu Energy Solutions, will walk you through the process of getting solar installed, including a physical site assessment, and you would then enter into a contract with you for a five-kilowatt solar energy system. Based on your income qualification, Share the Sun will fund either 100% of the installed system or 50% of the installed system. Your solar panels will be installed within the next four to six months and will get connected to the electric grid, inspected, and turned on!

How do I sign up?

Will this cause my home insurance rates to go up?

This depends on your home insurance policy. Once a rooftop solar panel system is installed on your home, it is considered part of your home under most home insurance plans. In many cases, covering your solar panels under your home insurance won’t create the need for a special add-on, won’t change your plan, and won’t increase your premiums. That being said, every insurance policy is different, which is why you should still contact your insurance company to confirm that your solar panels are covered and whether your policy coverage limit will need to be raised so that you can be confident you’re covered for all possibilities.

Will this increase my property valuation or property taxes?

Solar panels (and battery storage) do not increase a homeowners property tax/valuation. NC Gen. Stat. 101-275(16) exempts non-business property from being taxed. This letter from the NC Department of Revenue makes clear that it is exempt. Systems installed on the premises of a business are most likely taxable; however, they would be subject to an 80% exclusion (so only taxed at 20% of their value), per NC Gen. Stat. 101-275(45).

What will be the ongoing support for people who sign up for Share the Sun?

How much will I really save each month/year? What will my new electric bill be?

This depends on your household’s electricity consumption. Our goal with Share the Sun is to offset at least 50% of a typical home’s annual electric bill. You will still have a base charge for being connected to the electric grid of $22.00 from Duke Energy. The remainder of your bill will depend on how much energy your panels generate and how much energy you use. Renu Energy Solutions will work with you to help you understand how to read your bill.

What happens if a tree falls on the solar panels?

Solar electric panels are very durable and designed to sustain one-inch hail falling at approximately 50 miles per hour. The solar electric panels themselves are warrantied for 25 years but have a longer life expectancy than that. There are solar electric systems that were installed in the 1970's that are still functioning today! For instances caused by extreme weather that may result in a tree falling on your home and/or damaging your solar panels, you would contact your home insurance provider to file a claim.

What maintenance do the panels need - annually? Every few years?

Is this for homeowners only?

What are some reasons that rooftop solar may NOT be the right choice for me right now?

Significant tree cover can provide lots of shade for your home and reduce your cooling costs, but solar panels need sun to produce energy
If your roof is more than 10 years old or is in need of replacement, you should consider your plan to reroof before installing solar panels. There are significant costs for removing and then re-installing solar panels.
Your roof is situated in such a way that it limits the size of a system that can be installed; in other words, there isn’t enough roof space to install a 5 kW system.

What if I can’t install solar because of too much shade or the condition of my roof?

If a shade tree is in the sun's way, there are other ways to save money on energy. For example, insulation and air sealing are the two most cost-effective upgrades to your home that will lower the energy you use, but also make your home a healthier place to live. Energy conservation upgrades are beneficial not just for your wallet, but for the internal air quality of your home too. Consumer advocates at PowerUP NC are available to connect you with people who can help you make energy upgrades when they’re needed, without exorbitant cost.