Solarize Mass Closes Out Successful 2016 Campaign

Upton concluded its Solarize Massachusetts campaign on May 31, therefore successfully wrapping up the 2016 Solarize Mass program. Thanks to the program, twelve participating communities have signed contracts for 549 systems representing 3,988 kW worth of solar capacity in 2016. Additionally, five of the twelve communities more than doubled the number of solar projects during their participation in Solarize Mass, as compared to the number installed before taking part in the program.

Solarize Mass provides Massachusetts residents with access to solar power at a reduced cost through a group purchase model and facilitates the growth of small-scale solar electricity through outreach and education. A total of 63 communities have participated in the program since its launch, resulting in the contracting of 3,251 solar PV systems with a total contracted capacity of over 21,600 kW.

With the 2016 round of Solarize Mass officially completed, the program’s seventh round is now underway.

Lincoln-Sudbury-Wayland, Newburyport, and Winthrop were announced as the first communities to participate in an announcement during Earth Week in April. In an effort to foster the deployment of other clean energy technologies and to allow residents to purchase them at a reduced cost, MassCEC and Department of Energy Resources (DOER) are piloting Solarize Mass Plus. This pilot under the 2017 program will give communities an opportunity to pair solar panels with solar hot water, air source heat pumps, or electric vehicles.

MassCEC and DOER are currently accepting community applications for the 2017 Solarize Mass and Solarize Mass Plus programs. Applications will be evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis. To see the community-specific 2016 Solarize Mass results, or to learn how to get your community involved, go to www.solarizemass.com.