The National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) is a coalition of community solar stakeholders working to expand access to affordable community solar to all Americans and enable communities to realize other benefits, such as increased resilience and workforce development. NCSP partners make commitments to increasing access to community solar within their own organization or community, interact with each other on a platform called Mobilize, and receive benefits such as access to resources and technical assistance.

More than 1500 partners, more than 1000 organizations, and all 50 states participate in NCSP.

Who are National Community Solar Partners?

Partners represent a diverse group of community solar stakeholders, including community members and community-based organizations, solar developers, financial institutions, state, local, tribal, and territorial government representatives, utilities, and nonprofits. Any individual or organization supporting of increased equitable access to community solar that is based in the United States is encouraged to join the Partnership.

Find out more about current National Community Solar Partners and their commitments to increasing access to community solar.

Why Join the National Community Solar Partnership?

National Community Solar Partners receive access to the full benefits of the Partnership, including:

  • Technical Assistance: Receive tailored support from experts to solve challenges with implementing community solar in either a one-on-one or group setting.
  • Networking: Meet and connect with other partners working on community solar in your area and across the country. Partners may join or start peer-networking groups around specific topics such as financing, program design, and more.
  • Events & Opportunities: Find out about community solar events such as stakeholder convenings, technical webinars, and recognition. Partners often share opportunities including funding, feedback forums, and outlets for highlighting your work.
  • Resources: Access a curated and regularly updated database of resources on community solar, including case studies, toolkits, research papers, analysis tools, and more.
  • Share Expertise: Share your experiences and ask questions about community solar with other partners in the network.

Partner Commitments

In exchange for access to these benefits, partners commit to actively engaging in the National Community Solar Partnership in order to help meet its ambitious goal of making community solar accessible to all Americans by 2025. Active engagement includes:

  • Regularly interacting with other partners on the Mobilize platform (to build capacity among partners and share best practices that accelerate community solar in underserved markets);
  • Sharing data and information with the Partnership, when possible, to inform research efforts and the National Community Solar Partnership design; and
  • Setting ambitious goals within your organization around increasing access to community solar and reporting your progress at regular intervals.

Mobilize Platform

Much of the collaboration in the National Community Solar Partnership occurs on the Mobilize Platform. Mobilize allows Partners to connect with each other, share resources and opportunities, and create discussion groups based on specific community solar topics or issues. The Department of Energy and other founding partners often share program updates, research, and available opportunities on the platform.

How Do I Join the National Community Solar Partnership?

To become a Partner in the National Community Solar Partnership, first visit the Mobilize Platform and complete the registration form. Once your registration has been processed, you will receive an email with instructions to create an account and begin engaging with other partners and resources.

Partnership is at the individual level, so multiple representatives from your organization are encouraged to join. If you have any questions about your partnership status or the registration process, please email community.solar@ee.doe.gov.