Arcadia Power Review: Is It Legit and Do You Save? (2026)
If arcadia power review legit is on your radar, this short guide cuts through the noise. Here is what is worth knowing, and how to put it to work today.
Key Takeaways
- Share Some links on our website are sponsored, and we may earn money when you make a purchase or sign-up after clicking.
- Learn more about how we make money and read our review methodology.
- 3.8/5Our verdict: For most people, savings are modest and may take a few months to start.
Our verdict: For most people, savings are modest and may take a few months to start. If you’re comfortable with small reductions on your bill and want to support clean energy, it’s a simple way to make an impact. However, check your utility’s policies to avoid surprises, like additional fees, which could mean paying more overall.
Pros:- Residents in certain states, with specific utility providers, have the opportunity to save a small percentage.
- Increases the overall demand for renewable energy.
- Ability to pay via credit card, potentially earning additional cash- back.
- Does not send renewable energy directly to your home.
- Reviews are mixed , some people enjoy savings, while others find it complex with little benefit.
- Connecting to a solar project can take several months after signing up.
Table of Contents
ToggleWhat Is Arcadia?
Arcadia (formerly Arcadia Power) is not a power company or energy supplier, as it doesn’t generate or sell electricity. Instead, Arcadia connects you to local solar farms and applies credits from those farms to lower your utility bill.
Arcadia assigns you a share of a nearby solar farm’s output when you sign up. As the farm generates electricity, solar credits are applied to your utility bill, reducing your charges.
You pay Arcadia for these credits at a lower cost, typically saving 5-10%. For example, if the credits are worth $100, you might pay Arcadia $90 and keep $10 as savings. It typically takes a few months to connect you to a solar project and see savings on your bill.
The billing process varies by state and utility provider:
- Single bill. In some areas, you’ll receive one utility bill that includes your regular charges minus the solar credits, reflecting your savings directly.
- Separate bills. In other areas, you might get two bills , one from your utility company for your electricity usage and another from Arcadia for the solar credits you’ve purchased at a discounted rate.
For example, if your utility bill is $200 and you receive $100 in solar credits, you might pay your utility company $100 and Arcadia $90 for the discounted credits, resulting in a $10 overall savings.
Check with your utility provider to understand their specific policies. Some may have different billing practices or additional fees that could affect your savings (which eliminate any savings potential).
Furthermore, they’re not the only company with this business model.
According to the independent consumer organization Citizens Utility Board, some community solar companies in Illinois (where I live) offer up to 20% savings. As such, looking for other community solar programs offering more savings than Arcadia is worthwhile.
As of the most recent update of this article, Arcadia community solar programs are available to select residents of:
- Colorado
- Delaware
- District of Columbia (DC)
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
We update this article periodically throughout the year to add any states that become newly eligible for the program.
As of December 2024, Arcadia ended its Wind Renewable Energy Credit (REC) program to focus on expanding its community solar program. For those still interested in supporting renewable energy through RECs, Arcadia recommends Sustainable Choice, which provides REC subscriptions from various clean energy sources.
How Arcadia’s Billing Works
Depending on where you live, Arcadia will combine all charges into one bill or set you up with dual billing.
For example, In Illinois, shoppers are on a dual billing system. You’ll receive two bills: one from Arcadia for solar credits and one from your utility provider for the remaining balance.
Here’s how Aracia breaks this down:
- When the solar farm you’re connected to generates electricity, it creates solar credits that are applied to your utility bill. For instance, if $37.89 in solar credits is used, this reduces the amount you owe your utility provider.
- Next, Arcadia charges you for the solar credits at a discounted rate. Instead of paying the full $37.89, you might pay $34.10 to Arcadia, saving $3.79 (a 10% discount).
- After the credits are applied, you’ll still owe your utility provider for the rest of your energy usage. This means you’ll pay your utility company for any charges not covered by the solar credits.
The savings come from the discounted rate Arcadia charges for the credits, not your total utility bill.
In some areas, Arcadia offers Utility Consolidated Billing (UCB), which simplifies the billing process by including all charges , your regular electricity bill, the solar farm contribution, and your Community Solar savings , on a single bill directly from your utility company.
You won’t need to pay Arcadia separately for the solar credits.
Here’s how it works:
- You continue receiving your electricity bill from your utility company as usual.
- Your bill will reflect monthly solar savings once you’re connected to a solar farm and the project starts producing energy. These savings vary by state and utility but are based on the solar farm’s energy production and your subscription agreement.
- Part of the savings goes to you, and the rest is used to maintain the solar farm.
Eligibility depends on your state and utility provider. UCB is currently available with utilities like Ameren and ComEd in Illinois, several providers in New York, and Dominion in Virginia.
How Does Arcadia Make Money?
Arcadia makes money by charging you a discounted rate for solar credits and keeping the difference between what they charge you and what they pay the solar farm.
For example, if the solar credits applied to your bill are worth $100, Arcadia might pay the solar farm $85 and charge you $90, keeping the $5 difference as revenue. This spread is made possible by government incentives, economies of scale from managing multiple solar projects, and arrangements with utility providers.
Previously, Arcadia also offered a $5 monthly membership fee program for matching energy use with wind Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), but this program was discontinued.
Arcadia Review: Final Verdict
Should you join Arcadia? That depends on your values, location, and individual circumstances.
If you live in one of the states where community solar is offered, joining Arcadia can be a good way to support clean energy while saving a little money each month. However, it’s worth shopping around to see if other community solar providers in your area might offer better savings.
If community solar isn’t available in your state, Arcadia no longer offers its $5 per month wind energy REC program, which I was once a member. Instead, Arcadia now focuses solely on its community solar program.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line: a little research on arcadia power review legit goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is one click away. Originally published at thewaystowealth.com.
R.J. Weiss
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