Small business owners in Frederick work through their fair share of challenges and opportunities — but there’s one area where most business owners still feel like they have no control: their energy costs.
Customers of First Energy, have experienced record rates climbing higher year after year. An increase of over 30% since 2022, and everyone is feeling the strain. High utility costs don’t just eat into profits — they can force difficult choices about staffing, pricing, or investment in your growth.
Frederick is growing. Our costs are going up but so are our options. Community Solar is one of those options - changing how Frederick’s small business thinks about energy.
Welcome to Community Solar — an option that’s changing how Frederick’s small businesses think about energy.
What’s Community Solar?
Community Solar is a state-supported program that allows you to subscribe to a shared solar farm located right here in the First Energy region. Instead of installing panels on your property, you "subscribe" to a portion of a local solar farm. The energy generated there flows into the electric grid, and your business receives credits on your regular Potomac Edison bill — typically saving 5%-10% monthly.
The only difference? You’ll receive a separate invoice after credits are paid towards your bill (this is called unconsolidated billing). In sum, your electric bill will be reduced by the credits earned.
By participating in Community Solar you are aligning your business with values that matter, sustainability, local jobs and environmental responsibility. Whether you rent or own the property, you likely qualify.
Community Solar Options:
Neighborhood Sun
Neighborhood Sun is a Certified B Corporation focused on making community solar accessible to everyone. When a household subscribes to Neighborhood Sun in Frederick, the company donates to Mobilize Frederick, our local climate-focused nonprofit.
It is the only Community Solar Subscriber organization domestic to Maryland and is based in Bethesda, MD. Thus far the company has helped save its commercial subscribers 1.5 million in electric costs.
“I am not sure why everyone hasn’t jumped on this incredible opportunity,” says Peter M. a Neighborhood Sun subscriber since 2021, “… [It is] such an easy way to save on your energy bill while at the same time getting your power from the sun. No investment in home equipment, no installation on your home and very low risk.”
The company just released the first-ever community solar app, SunEngine TM, allowing subscribers to see their savings in real-time savings and understand their environmental impact. A perfect tool for the environmentally savvy business owner wanting to share their progress with customers!
Learn more about what Neighborhood Sun can do for you here!
Nexamp
Nexamp was founded in 2007 by two Army veterans in Boston, MA. Their solar projects have generated an impressive 1,015,000,000 kWh of clean energy in 2024. But what really stands out is the way Nexamp gives back to the communities their subscribers live in.
Here are some ways Nexamp has positively impacted Frederick:
They co-organized a donation drive of 300+ shoes with Soles of Love to benefit local organizations such as: Girls on the Run, SHIP of Frederick County, Frederick Housing Authority, and the Beyond Shelter.
Employees have volunteered at the Annual Turkey Distribution and sponsored Downtown Frederick Partnership’s Annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat event.
The company has donated seeds, garden supplies, and time to community garden projects in town.
See how Nexamp can help you save on energy today and in the future!
Altus Power
Altus Power is based in Stamford, Connecticut and is a leading owner and operator of commercial and community solar projects across the country. Altus has a presence in Maryland and throughout the Nation, owning approximately 500 projects across 26 states, serving more than 36,000 Community Solar customers.
In 2024 the company generated 322,067,187 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy. If that energy were generated by nonrenewables it would have emitted 265 million pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The emissions avoided are equivalent to:
28,000 gas powered vehicles in one year
More than 13 million gallons of gasoline consumed
Carbon sequestered by nearly 2 million tree seedlings over 10 years
Learn more about how you can make an impact with Altus Power here!