MassCEC Announces Harvard Reaches 100 kW of Solar Through Solarize Mass Pilot

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today announced that 18 residents or businesses have contracted with New England Breeze to install solar photovoltaic (PV) through MassCEC’s Solarize Mass pilot. The projects will install 101.75 kW of solar in Harvard, allowing residents and business owners to install solar at a further discounted rates through the Solarize Mass. 
“Congratulations to the town of Harvard for surpassing this milestone, ensuring the community lower price points on solar power that will likely spur even greater adoption of solar power,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC board. “As of today, Massachusetts has nearly 60 megawatts of solar power installed – and Solarize Mass is another way we are spreading the solar revolution across the state.”  
“Solarize Massachusetts is not only teaching residents and business owners in these four towns that solar energy is a viable way to manage energy costs and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but it is also helping drive down costs of solar across the state,” said MassCEC Executive Director Patrick Cloney. “I am thrilled to see the level of enthusiasm that these four communities have shown towards their clean energy future.”
As part of the Solarize Mass pilot MassCEC issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for bulk purchasing business models from solar integrators in which installation costs are based on a tiered structure that provide lower costs with increased capacity of solar installed within the community. New England Breeze was selected as the Solarize installer for Harvard, and is the first installer to reach 100 kW through the program.
MassCEC’s Solarize Mass team, New England Breeze and Harvard residents who have already contracted to install solar will hold a third and final event called Solarize NOW on Saturday September 10, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the Harvard Soccer Fields, 56 Depot Road in Harvard. The Solarize Mass and New England Breeze teams will be on site to answer solar questions. Residents are encouraged to bring their utility bill to get an instant solar assessment, and enter to win an additional $500 rebate through Solarize Mass. Solarize Mass participants must sign a contract to install solar by September 30 to obtain group purchasing discounts.
For more information on Solarize Mass visit: www.MassCEC.com/solarizemass.
"It's terrific that Harvard has achieved this milestone in the Solarize Massachusetts program. It demonstrates Harvards' continued commitment to renewable energy programs and a clean energy future," said Harvard Selectman Timothy Clark.
“So far the Solarize Mass program has been a HUGE success in Harvard. It has made residents more aware of their energy usage and environmental impact,” said Solarize Mass Harvard Program Manager Kristen Ferguson. “The program also highlights the value of a solid economic investment like solar power. New England Breeze is working hard to keep up with new inquiries daily. Harvard residents are taking advantage of the especially low Solarize Mass prices and making a strong push toward even lower pricing.”
“The community of Harvard has been a leader in environmental conservation, and the town as a whole has really embraced renewable energy programs as the way of the future. The great success of Solarize Massachusetts in Harvard is a testament to the town’s commitment to clean energy and a healthy environment, and I applaud them for achieving this milestone,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge.
“Harvard continues to lead Massachusetts in a positive direction, embracing renewable resources as a community,” State Representative Jennifer Benson. “I am happy the program has been so successful and I hope their example inspires other communities to follow.”
Solarize Massachusetts was launched in four pilot communities in Massachusetts this spring to encourage residents and business owners to adopt solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. MassCEC, in partnership with the Green Communities Division of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) selected the communities of Harvard, Hatfield, Scituate, and Winchester to participate in the model, which leverages education, grassroots marketing, and group purchasing to accelerate the adoption of solar PV. MassCEC has provided education and marketing support to help the four communities implement a community-wide solar PV program for residential and small-scale commercial projects, and deploy bulk-purchasing business model to reduce costs.