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Solar for NonProfits - We Help Nonprofits with Solar Grants
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Solar for NonProfits - We Help Nonprofits with Solar Grants

Phone number
none
Category
Nonprofit
Auto tags
Financing Solutions
Tax-Exempt Organizations
Solar Projects
nonprofit
Eligibility
Nonprofits, tax exempt organizations
Auto Summary
CollectiveSun helps 501(c)(3) nonprofits, houses of worship, schools, and other tax-exempt organizations pay for solar by routing the value of the federal 30% solar credit — which tax-exempt orgs normally can't use — back to the organization. Three paths: a Solar Power Agreement (CollectiveSun owns the system and passes savings to you, historically ~16%+ off the bid, $0 down), a Prepaid SPA, or a Solar Loan where you own the system and use IRA 'direct pay' to get an IRS cash payment equal to the credit. Served 200+ nonprofits in 24 states since 2011. TIME-SENSITIVE: under the July 2025 OBBB law the federal solar credit is being phased out — projects generally must START CONSTRUCTION by about July 4, 2026 to lock in the full 30%. Get 3 installer bids, then call 888-980-CSUN (2786). Verified 2026-05-30.
Value
$0 down; historically ~16%+ off solar installer bids via SPA. Federal 30% credit value via IRA direct pay for nonprofit-owned systems. Time-sensitive: ~July 4, 2026 construction-start deadline under OBBB.
Espanol
Solar para Organizaciones Sin Fines de Lucro - Ayudamos a las ONG con Subvenciones Solares
URL
https://collectivesun.com/nonprofits/
Last verified: 2026-05-17
Time-sensitive: The federal 30% solar tax credit for nonprofits is being phased out under the July 2025 "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB). Projects generally need to start construction by July 4, 2026 to lock in the full credit. If you are a nonprofit considering solar, act now. [Source: collectivesun.com/three-things-nonprofits-need-to-know-about-the-inflation-reduction-acts-direct-pay-provision/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]

What CollectiveSun does

CollectiveSun is a private company (operating since 2011) that helps nonprofits and other tax-exempt organizations pay for rooftop or ground-mount solar. Nonprofits do not owe federal income tax, so they historically could not use the 30% solar tax credit. CollectiveSun's models route the credit's value back to your organization, lowering the upfront cost of your solar system. [Source: collectivesun.com/nonprofits/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]
They have worked with 200+ nonprofits in 24 states — churches, schools, clinics, food banks, animal shelters, and community centers. [Source: collectivesun.com/nonprofits/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Who qualifies

  • 501(c)(3) nonprofits
  • Houses of worship
  • Schools and school districts
  • Other tax-exempt organizations
  • Tribal governments and municipal entities (under the IRA direct-pay rules)
You need a building you own (or a long-term lease with permission) and an electric bill big enough that solar makes financial sense — typically $500/month or more.

What you get

CollectiveSun offers three financing paths:
  1. Solar Power Agreement (SPA) — A service agreement (similar to a lease). CollectiveSun owns the system, captures the federal tax credit, and passes the value back to you as a discount. Historically this saved roughly 16% or more off an installer's bid, though the exact percentage now depends on the post-OBBB credit rules — confirm current numbers with CollectiveSun. $0 down. [Source: collectivesun.com/nonprofits/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]
  1. Prepaid SPA — Same structure, paid up-front for a larger lifetime savings.
  1. Solar Loan — You own the system and use IRA "direct pay" to get a cash payment from the IRS equal to the value of the 30% tax credit (and possibly more with bonus adders). [Source: collectivesun.com/three-things-nonprofits-need-to-know-about-the-inflation-reduction-acts-direct-pay-provision/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]
CollectiveSun also helps you find low-cost loans, crowd-lending, and donations to cover the remaining cost.

How to apply

  1. Get 3 installer bids. CollectiveSun can introduce you to installers they've worked with, or use EnergySage to compare bids online.
  1. Contact CollectiveSun at collectivesun.com/contact-us or call 888-980-CSUN (2786). Email: info@collectivesun.com.
  1. Pick a financing path with their team (SPA, Prepaid SPA, or Loan + direct pay).
  1. Sign contracts and start construction — critical to begin before the July 4, 2026 deadline to preserve the 30% credit.
  1. Flip the switch — savings start the day the system is energized.

Common pitfalls

  • Direct pay requires IRS pre-registration. If you go the loan route, you must register the project with the IRS before filing for the credit. CollectiveSun and the IRS itself host office hours to walk nonprofits through this — IRS office hours are available through January 2026 and may extend. [Source: collectivesun.com/more-irs-office-hours-available-through-january-2026/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]
  • Get multiple bids. Solar installer pricing varies widely. Three bids is the minimum to know you're getting a fair price.
  • CollectiveSun is one option, not the only one. Solar United Neighbors and local solar co-ops also help nonprofits — compare.

Where to get help

  • IRS Direct Pay registration: search "IRS Energy Credits Online" or attend an IRS office-hours session via CollectiveSun's resource page.

Sources