Business Details
15 Years
experience
Community Solar Gardens in Colorado
Founded in 2011, SunShare stands as the nation's oldest community solar company, dedicated to democratizing access to renewable energy. As pioneers in community solar policy and program development, we build, own, and operate community solar gardens that serve thousands of subscribers who cannot or prefer not to install rooftop panels. Our innovative approach allows subscribers to benefit from solar energy through discounted or zero-net-cost subscriptions while providing stable revenue streams for local farmers and landowners. Backed by over a decade of experience and a leadership team with 140 years of combined industry expertise, we prioritize operational excellence and long-term reliability.Our commitment to environmental stewardship has resulted in solar gardens projected to offset the equivalent of 78 million trees planted over their lifetimes. As owner-operators of our solar assets, we ensure seamless maintenance and performance management, delivering clean energy solutions to residential, commercial, and nonprofit subscribers across nine states. Our ESG-focused partnerships and agrivoltaic developments further reinforce our mission to create a sustainable energy future while fostering local community engagement.
Services
Community Solar Subscriptions
Landowner Partnerships
ESG Solutions
Energy Assistance Programs
Solar Garden Development
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- We are the nation's oldest and most experienced community solar company since 2011.
- Our leadership team has over 140 years of combined solar industry experience.
- We guarantee zero net cost for our community solar subscriptions.
- We deliver 176 MW of clean energy across nine states with 92+ solar gardens.
- Our agrivoltaic developments integrate solar with agricultural land use.
What people say
Great experience overall
Super easy to join
Friendly and helpful staff
No upfront costs
Seamless transition
Services
Community Solar Subscriptions
Community Solar Subscriptions allow homeowners, renters, and businesses to access solar energy without rooftop panels. Subscribers receive credits on their utility bills by subscribing to a portion of energy from our solar gardens. This zero-upfront-cost solution democratizes clean energy access while reducing carbon footprints.
Landowner Partnerships
Landowner Partnerships provide farmers and landowners with stable revenue streams through long-term leases for solar garden sites. Our agrivoltaic developments combine solar energy production with agricultural land use, preserving land heritage while supporting renewable energy growth across multiple states.
Energy Assistance Programs
Energy Assistance Programs offer 20% discounted subscriptions to income-qualified participants through Xcel Energy partnerships. These programs enable low-income households and affordable housing residents to access clean energy with no equipment installation, upfront costs, or termination fees.
ESG Solutions
ESG Solutions help businesses meet sustainability goals through community solar subscriptions. Organizations reduce carbon footprints and demonstrate environmental responsibility without upfront investments, roof modifications, or operational disruptions while supporting local clean energy infrastructure.
Solar Garden Development
Solar Garden Development involves constructing large-scale photovoltaic systems that add clean energy to the grid. We design, build, and maintain these gardens to serve thousands of subscribers, creating habitats for pollinators and integrating with local ecosystems in nine active states.
People
David Amster-Olszewski
Founder and CEO
David Amster-Olszewski founded SunShare in 2011 and leads as CEO. Recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 (2016), he brings over 14 years of solar industry innovation, driving community solar policy development and program expansion nationwide.
Questions
What is community solar?
Community solar allows subscribers to benefit from solar energy without rooftop panels by subscribing to a portion of a shared solar garden, receiving utility bill credits for their share of generated electricity.
How does a solar garden work?
Solar gardens are large-scale solar farms that add clean energy to the grid. Subscribers receive credits on their utility bills for their portion of the energy produced, with no equipment installation required.
Who can participate in community solar?
Anyone with an eligible utility bill can participate, including homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits, regardless of property suitability for rooftop solar panels.
What are the cost benefits?
Subscribers receive zero-net-cost savings through balanced billing, with no upfront costs, installation fees, or termination penalties, and 20% discounts available for income-qualified participants.
Can I cancel my subscription?
Yes, subscriptions can be canceled with 90 days written notice without penalty, and subscriptions are transferable if moving within the same service territory.
How does billing work?
Subscribers receive two bills monthly—one from SunShare and one from their utility. The net difference between the SunShare subscription rate and utility bill credit rate always equals $0.
Reviews (7)
Jonathan R.
Sep 13, 2020
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So far, we are saving a little money each month as we start up our solar garden subscription. But the best part, far and away, is being less dependent on fossils fuels to generate the electricity we use. I am quite happy to be participating in the SunShare's Community Solar Program here in Minneapolis.
Petra L.
Jul 30, 2020
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Such a great company in Denver making a huge difference in our community! Great experience overall subscribing to their Community Solar Program. Super easy, helpful and friendly! Thank you SunShare for making renewable solar electricity possible for me and my family. We are proud to to support renewable solar energy and our local economy. :
Ryan K.
May 21, 2020
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Working with sunshare is a great experience! It's good to know that there's an affordable option other than rooftop solar.
Robert L.
Nov 03, 2019
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I wanted to participate in green energy but the location and type of our house makes solar panels impossible. SunShare answered my need. The transition was seamless and they made all the arrangements with Xcel so I still only receive one energy bill. It could not be more convenient. The sales pitch at the time involved some discussion of small cost savings over time but the real insensitive is that you can feel good about doing something to help save our planet.
Joanna S.
Oct 16, 2019
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Joining sunshare has been a super easy way to support renewable energy and even save on our heating bill. i unreservedly recommend it to everyone!
Robin D.
Sep 16, 2019
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It's hard to live green in an apartment. I was feeling guilty all the time about not doing my part for the planet. When I heard that I could use solar power without panels, I was so happy. Then I signed up and SunShare was awesome. They are so knowledgeable and helpful, I didn't look back for a second. It's a no-brainer.
Chad M.
Apr 23, 2019
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I have been a member/subscriber to SunShare since the launched in MN three or four years ago. At first, we were waiting for the solar community garden to be built. Then it became operational and has proven to be a good decision. My SunShare credit on my Xcel energy bill is consistently $10-$15 more than the bill I receive from SunShare. This resulted in my building quite a "credit" balance in my Xcel account. SunShare had done an initial calculation of what I might save per year and their estimates have been correct. I would recommend to anyone to look into it.
