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The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today announced that the Commonwealth Organics-to-Energy program began accepting applications for construction projects and pilot projects that employ anaerobic digestion and other technologies that convert source-separated organic wastes into electricity or thermal energy.

“These unique investments in clean energy are part of a larger menu of projects designed to stabilize energy costs, cut greenhouse gasses and protect the environment, we urge public and private organizations to take advantage of this important program,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr.

“This program will continue our effort to generate more megawatts of clean, renewable energy in the Commonwealth, while educating communities and businesses about the benefits of organics-to-energy technologies,” said MassCEC Chief Executive Officer Patrick Cloney.

Commonwealth Organics-to-Energy offers a variety of funding opportunities aimed at helping the state divert source-separated organic wastes from disposal and into the generation of electricity or thermal energy. The grant opportunities announced today will allow private or public sector entities develop facilities that convert their organic wastes to energy while increasing awareness of organics-to-energy systems in the Commonwealth.  The program currently offers grants to public entities to assist in the planning for and review of organics-to-energy projects.

Commonwealth Organics-to-Energy targets technologies that convert organic materials such as pre- or post-consumer food waste, yard waste, and cow manure into electricity or useful heat by means other than direct combustion.  A prime example of an organics-to-energy technology is anaerobic digestion, in which microorganisms break down organic material in the absence of oxygen to produce biogas. The biogas, which contains a high percentage of methane, can then be used to generate heat or electricity. Depending on the type of system, additional useful outputs may be produced, such as liquid fertilizer or compost.  Beyond the diversion of organic waste from landfills or incinerators and the generation of renewable energy, the benefits of organics-to-energy facilities can include reduced water pollution, reduced burden on sewage treatment plants, reduced odors, displacement of fossil fuels, and manufacture of materials that can be improve soil health or productivity.

Commonwealth Organics-to-Energy supports the state’s effort to divert at least 35 percent of food waste from disposal by 2020, which would result in more than 350,000 tons of materials per year diverted from targeted businesses and institutional sectors, such as food processors, large institutions, hotels and convention centers.

For more information about opportunities through Commonwealth Organics-to-Energy visit: www.MassCEC.com/technology/organics-to-energy

As part of the effort to reach Governor Patrick's goal of 250 megawatts (MW) of solar power installed by 2017, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. today announced the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) selected 17 communities to participate in the 2012 Solarize Massachusetts (Solarize Mass) Program, which helps residents and business owners adopt solar photovoltaic (PV) technology.

“This month we reached 100 megawatts of installed solar, which is being used in 331 cities and towns across the state,” said Secretary Sullivan. “This program will help us achieve our renewable energy goals even faster, bring local clean energy jobs to our communities and stabilize our energy costs.”

Solarize Mass is a program that encourages the adoption of small scale solar PV by deploying a coordinated education, marketing and outreach effort, combined with a tiered pricing structure that provides increased savings as more people in the community go solar.

MassCEC, in partnership with the DOER’s Green Communities Division has selected the cities and towns of Acton, Arlington, Boston, Hopkinton, Melrose, Mendon, Millbury, Montague, Newburyport, Palmer, Pittsfield, Lenox, Shirley, Sutton, Wayland, Sudbury and Lincoln, to participate in Solarize Mass.

“By combining education and grassroots marketing with tiered pricing of solar PV Solarize Mass was able to help 162 residents go solar in 2011,” said MassCEC Chief Executive Officer Patrick Cloney.  “By extending this program to 17 communities, we are confident that we can help more people in the Commonwealth use solar energy to help manage their energy costs and create a cleaner energy future.”

“These communities are leading the way in clean energy adoption and we’re pleased to honor them today for their effort to take their energy future into their own hands by investing in local sources of energy,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia.

Through Solarize Mass, MassCEC will provide education and marketing support to help the 17 communities implement a community-wide solar PV program for small-scale solar projects. MassCEC will provide technical support and host free educational meetings in the pilot communities to educate people about the benefits of installing solar and to drive interest in implementing the technology. MassCEC will also issue Request for Proposals (RFP) from solar integrators for bulk purchasing business models in which solar installation costs are based on a tiered structure that provide lower costs with increased capacity of solar installed within the community.
“I am thrilled that Pittsfield and Lenox were selected to participate in the 2012 Solarize Massachusetts program,” said Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “This program will help spread the use of clean energy and reduce these communities’ dependence on fossil fuels, in the most cost effective way.” 

For more information about Solarize Mass visit www.SolarizeMass.com.

As a result of the Commonwealth Solar rebate programs launched in 2008, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for solar on water treatment facilities and other public buildings, and Solarize Mass, the state has seen a nearly 30-fold increase in solar PV installations since 2007. Currently, there are more than 100 MW of solar energy installed in Massachusetts, and an additional 40 MW under contract for installation, up from 3.5 MW when Governor Patrick took office.

Massachusetts lies at the end of the energy pipeline – lacking indigenous supplies of coal, natural gas, and oil. As a result, we have some of the highest energy costs in the nation. Of the $22 billion Massachusetts spends annually to buy the energy that runs our power plants, buildings and vehicles, 80 percent flows out of state to purchase coal from Colombia, oil from Venezuela, and natural gas and oil from the Middle East and Canada. That’s nearly $18 billion in lost economic opportunity that Massachusetts is reclaiming through investments in home-grown renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Programs like this one and others that stem from the Green Communities Act of 2008 have helped grow the state’s clean energy economy. These policies cut energy costs, protect our environment and create jobs. We’re cultivating a clean energy economy that’s grown by 6.7 percent to employ 64,000 clean energy workers in Massachusetts.

This week, Kim and Mark Reichelt of Wayland became the first residents to contract for a solar PV installation at their home through this year’s Solarize Massachusetts program.
"We are very excited to be installing solar panels on our home.  We looked into doing it a few years ago, but since then there have been significant improvements in both the price and the technology,” said Ms. Reichelt.  “With the discounts from the Solarize program, the installation makes financial sense.  Even with all our trees, our installation is going to pay for itself in about seven years.  I hope to see solar panels going up all over town!"

Solarize Mass, which is a partnership among the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Green Communities Division of the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) encourages the adoption of small scale solar PV by deploying a coordinated education, marketing and outreach effort, combined with a tiered pricing structure that provides increased savings as more people in the community go solar.  MassCEC provides technical support and hosts free educational meetings in the participating communities to educate people about the benefits of installing solar and to drive interest in implementing the technology. 

MassCEC and DOER launched Solarize Mass last year with a pilot program targeting four DOER-designated Green Communities: Hatfield, Harvard, Scituate and Winchester. The program led to 162 new contracts, representing 829 kW of new solar power, signed by residents and business owners. Seventeen additional Green Communities - Acton, Arlington, Boston, Hopkinton, Melrose, Mendon, Millbury, Montague, Newburyport, Palmer, Pittsfield, Lenox, Shirley, Sutton, Wayland, Sudbury and Lincoln – were selected in April to participate in phase two of the program, which runs through September.  

“Solarize Massachusetts is an important part of our effort to move beyond energy reform, to energy revolution,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan.

“This contract symbolizes electricity generated in Massachusetts without any emissions, and represents jobs for people hired in Massachusetts to sell, install, and maintain solar PV systems in Massachusetts,” said Patrick Cloney, Chief Executive Officer of MassCEC.  “We look forward to seeing many more projects in the coming months.”

Astrum Solar was selected by a committee of local volunteers, with input from state officials, to serve as the designated installer for Wayland, Sudbury and Lincoln, and is working in close contact with volunteer solar coaches in each of those towns.

“This program rewards neighbors who join together to make a commitment to a renewable, home-grown, and environmentally-friendly source of energy,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “I am pleased we are able to offer this opportunity to designated Green Communities that are already leading the way toward a clean energy future for our state.”

"We are pleased to take part in this important initiative as we continue to serve Massachusetts homeowners through our Hopkinton office," said Michelle Waldgeir, Astrum Solar's vice president of marketing. "The Solarize Mass program will be instrumental in helping more Wayland, Lincoln and Sudbury residents transition from traditional energy consumers to clean energy producers."
 

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center (MTTC) today announced seven awardees will receive grants under the MassCEC Catalyst Program, aimed at commercializing the pioneering clean energy technologies coming out of Massachusetts’ world-class research institutions and now also startups based in Massachusetts. The seven awards will go to four Massachusetts-based startups and three Massachusetts institutions and total $250,000.

“I am thrilled that we have opened our application process to early stage startups and was happy to hear that this round we had such a high number of applicants,” said MassCEC Executive Director Patrick Cloney. “We received numerous impressive applications in the fifth round of this program and we look forward to adapting our program to keep it current with market needs.”

The MassCEC Catalyst Program, which is funded by MassCEC and managed by MTTC, awards early-stage researchers and startups grant awards of up to $40,000 to help demonstrate the commercial viability of their clean energy technology.  The MassCEC Catalyst Program funding is part of the state’s match to the Department of Commerce funded Cleantech Innovations New England (CINE) program.

Recipients must use funding for projects that move towards commercialization of their technology. Awards could be used to develop a prototype or to gather initial data in order to show proof of concept or to obtain data that shows how the technology compares to existing technologies and what the competitive advantages are. The goal of the Catalyst Program is to help technologies progress along the development curve to a point where additional commercialization funding can be obtained.

“We have had two technologies licensed and five startups spun out from previous awards we have given out,” said Abigail Barrow, Director of the MTTC, “We’re looking forward to seeing these new companies grow alongside our previous awardees.”

“Massachusetts’ vibrant start-up community and outstanding academic and research institutions – and the innovations they produce - are integral to the growth of our clean energy sector,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. “MassCEC’s Catalyst Program provides a leg up toward commercialization of these technologies, and the inclusion of early-stage companies will create even more healthy competition for these awards. I look forward to seeing the results from this round of awardees.”

MassCEC Catalyst Program received 37 applications from startups and researchers throughout the state. The fifth round of awards in this program goes to the following researchers:

Yan Wang, Ph.D., Department of Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Diran Apelian, Sc.D., Department of Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

“High Energy Density Flow Batteries”

MassCEC Catalyst Program funding will support researchers develop a new type of Ni/Zn flow battery with high energy density, high power density, long cycle life, low cost and high safety. This technology will help address the increasing energy storage needs for grid storage and renewable energy. The researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute will use the grant to develop a prototype device of the technology for interested parties.

Roberto Barbero, Ph.D.; Joseph Walish, Ph.D.; Thermeleon, Inc.

“Low-Cost, Smart Roofing Materials for Year-Round Energy Savings”

Thermeleon is developing a color-changing roof that is white on hot days to reflect unwanted heat and black on cold days to absorb it. The funds provided by this award will enable us to continue development of our prototype design of exciting new color-changing membrane roofing product.

Gillian Isabelle, Ph.D.; Enlivity Corporation

“Technical and Economic Feasibility of a Low Energy- and Water-Intensity Algal Bioreactor"

Enlivity Corporation is developing a new platform technology for algae culture with applications in biodiesel fuel production. The MassCEC Catalyst award will permit assess to the technical and economic feasibility of a novel bioreactor design and culture process. If successful, the technology has the potential to dramatically reduce the water required for algae culture and the energy required for the downstream harvesting and dewatering, providing a process that is more easily scalable and more cost-effective than current methods.

Kenneth Y. Lee, Ph.D., PE.; Department of Civil Engineering; Western New England University

“Developing Premium Grade Pellets from Coffee Husk for Residential Heating Applications”

Our technology is a process of turning coffee husk waste into sustainable bio-pellets for home heating applications by significantly reducing the ash content of the pellets to levels superior to currently available wood pellets.  The award money will help advance the technology and to develop a business model for entrepreneurial opportunities.  

Malay K. Mazumder, Ph.D.; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Mark N. Horenstein, Ph.D.; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; N. Joglekar, Ph.D.; School of Management; Boston University

“Development of Prototype Self-Cleaning Solar Panels for Commercialization”

Large-scale solar panels, installed in vast areas of land such as in Mojave Desert, where sunshine is available 12/7 almost throughout the year, can provide all the electricity we need in the US and more. These sunniest areas are also the dustiest: dust on panels can cause 20% or more loss in energy yield and revenue. The MassCEC grant will enable us to build and demonstrate prototype self-cleaning solar panels, a technology developed at BU that can keep the panels clean at a very little cost without water or manual labor, to potential investors, solar farms, and solar panel manufacturers for commercialization.

Roger Faulkner; Ballistic Breaker Corporation

“Demonstration of Ballistic Breaker™ for 1200 volt, 1200 amp service”

DC circuit breakers are critical enabling technology for DC microgrids. The Ballistic Breaker™ is very fast compared to existing mechanical DC circuit breakers, and has lower cost than power electronic breakers. The special properties offered by the Ballistic Breaker™ are highly desirable for protection of high power motor controls. Faulkner will use the MassCEC funds by working with two MA firms to finalize the design and testing of a prototype.

Deepak Dugar, Ph.D.; Visolis, Inc.

“Cost Competitive Clean Chemicals Via Synthetic Biology”

Visolis, Inc. is an industrial biotechnology company developing the next generation of biocatalysts that can convert renewable feedstocks into chemicals and fuels at a price point competitive with petroleum based processes. With support of the catalyst program, Visolis intends to conduct proof of concept studies to demonstrate commercial viability of our biocatalysts.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today announced a new $10 million multi-year program, Commonwealth Solar Hot Water, which will begin accepting applications in July 2012 and continue through 2016. The long-term program is designed to encourage the installation of solar hot water systems at residences and businesses across the Commonwealth.
“This program represents a significant long-term investment that will accelerate the growth of Massachusetts’ solar hot water industry by providing a stable form of funding assistance to residents and companies looking to utilize the sun’s power and save money on energy bills,” said MassCEC Chief Executive Officer Patrick Cloney.
The program will build on the success of two pilot solar hot water programs, which have awarded rebates for 300 residential and commercial-scale systems since February 2011. Similar to the pilot programs, the new Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Program will offer rebates for qualifying solar hot water projects at residential, multi-family and commercial-scale buildings.
“This new solar hot water program will create jobs at solar hot water manufacturing and installation companies, while helping Massachusetts residents and businesses decrease their heating costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan, who chairs the MassCEC Board of Directors.
Solar hot water systems generate thermal energy from sunlight to heat water. Roof mounted solar collectors for hot water systems look similar to solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, which generate electricity rather than hot water.  A solar hot water system usually provides 50 percent to 75 percent of total household hot water needs. Some systems can also connect with the heating system to provide space heating.  Since roughly 20 percent of the energy consumed by a typical home in Massachusetts goes to heating hot water, solar hot water systems can generate significant savings by decreasing the amount of gas, oil or electricity used to heat the water.
Program funding will be distributed over 4.5 years, through the end of 2016. The first year of the Commonwealth Solar Hot Water program will be funded with $1.5 million from MassCEC’s Renewable Energy Trust Fund.
To date, the completed projects that MassCEC has funded through the Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Residential and Commercial Pilot Programs total almost 15,000 square feet of solar collectors, and produce energy equivalent to the total annual hot water needs of 140 homes.  A total of 55 primary installers have successfully submitted an application through the program.
To find out more about solar hot water, see www.masscec.com/aboutsolar .  Program information for MassCEC’s existing hot water pilot programs is available www.masscec.com/solarhotwater.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is pleased to announce that the Green Communities of Lincoln, Sudbury and Wayland, who are participating in Solarize Mass as a group, have reached the threshold of contracted projects that guarantees the lowest pricing available, with two months left to go before the deadline.  The Solarize Mass program offers a tiered pricing structure that provides increasing discounts as more people participate. These three towns now have contracts for 53 separate systems, representing 484 kW of new capacity, which allows all customers to receive Tier 5 pricing.  For Lincoln, Sudbury, and Wayland, Tier 5 pricing is $3.70/watt, which is 30 percent lower than the average installed cost for small PV systems in the Commonwealth.
“Solarize Massachusetts is producing direct benefits for homeowners and small businesses who are locking in favorable electricity rates for decades to come, and creating jobs for the people who are helping them do it,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan.

Astrum Solar, whose Massachusetts operations are based in nearby Hopkinton, was selected by a committee of local volunteers and municipal officials, with input from state officials, to serve as the designated installer for Lincoln, Sudbury, and Wayland. Astrum Solar works in close contact with volunteer “solar coaches” in each of those towns.   The community solar coach plays a critical role in engaging the community and spurring participation in the Solarize Massachusetts program throughout the summer. The Community Solar Coaches for Lincoln, Sudbury, and Wayland are Jennie Morris, Rami Alwan, and Kaat Vander Straeten, respectively.

“Solarize Mass has proven to be an effective catalyst for increasing the amount of solar PV in the Commonwealth, generating power without any emissions, and creating jobs for people in Massachusetts,” said Eric Macaux, Senior Director of Strategy and Legal Affairs of MassCEC.  “I applaud Lincoln, Sudbury, and Wayland for reaching Tier 5 pricing, and look forward to seeing many more Solarize communities maximize the savings available to them in the Solarize Mass program in the coming months.”

"There are many reasons why I am so excited about the prospect of seeing so much solar in our towns,” said Kaat Vander Straeten, the Wayland Community Solar Coach. “Aside from the environmental benefits, which are substantial, there is also the advantage of greater resilience: a pool of small, local, independent producers of electricity is a lot more resilient than one big, centralized power plant relying on imported fuels. Moreover, people who become producers also become more aware of how much they consume and of the many impacts of their consumption. Hopefully our towns can become models and this new energy landscape won't be extraordinary for long."

Solarize Mass, which is a partnership among the MassCEC and the Green Communities Division of the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), encourages the adoption of small scale solar PV by deploying a coordinated education, marketing and outreach effort, combined with a tiered pricing structure that provides increased savings as more people in the community go solar.  MassCEC provides technical support and hosts free educational meetings in the participating communities to educate people about the benefits of installing solar and to drive interest in implementing the technology. 

MassCEC and DOER launched Solarize Mass last year as a pilot program in four Green Communities, leading to 162 new contracts signed. Seventeen Green Communities - Acton, Arlington, Boston, Hopkinton, Melrose, Mendon, Millbury, Montague, Newburyport, Palmer, Pittsfield, Lenox, Shirley, Sutton, Wayland, Sudbury and Lincoln – were selected in April to participate in phase two of the program, which runs through September. 

For more information about Solarize Mass, visit www.SolarizeMass.com and follow the twitter hash tag #SolarizeMass.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)  is pleased to announce that the Green Communities of Pittsfield and Lenox, who are participating in Solarize Mass as a group, have reached the threshold of contracted projects to reach Tier 3 of pricing, with two months left to go before the deadline.  The Solarize Mass program offers a tiered pricing structure that provides increasing discounts as more people participate. These two towns now have contracts for 8 separate systems, representing 54.25 kW of new capacity, which allows all customers to receive Tier 3 pricing.  For Pittsfield and Lenox, Tier 3 pricing is $3.90/watt, which is 20 percent lower than the average installed cost for small PV systems in the Commonwealth.
“Solarize Massachusetts is producing direct benefits for homeowners and small businesses who are locking in favorable electricity rates for decades to come, and creating jobs for the people who are helping them do it,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan.

Astrum Solar, whose Massachusetts operations are based in Hopkinton, was selected by a committee of local volunteers and municipal officials, with input from state officials, to serve as the designated installer for Pittsfield and Lenox. Astrum works in close contact with volunteer “solar coaches” in each of those towns.   The community solar coach plays a critical role in engaging the community and spurring participation in the Solarize Massachusetts program throughout the summer. The Community Solar Coaches for Pittsfield and Lenox are Nate Joyner and Susan May, respectively. The Municipal Representatives for the program are Pittsfield Parks and Open Space Manager Jim McGrath, and Lenox Sustainability Coordinator Adele Gravitz.

"I am thrilled to see such an enthusiastic response from the people of Pittsfield," said Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier. "Solarize Mass is a great program that will make a real difference in greening our community while saving our residents real dollars."

“Solarize Mass has proven to be an effective catalyst for increasing the amount of solar PV in the Commonwealth, generating power without any emissions, and creating jobs for people in Massachusetts,” said Eric Macaux, Senior Director of Strategy and Legal Affairs of MassCEC.  “I applaud Pittsfield and Lenox for reaching Tier 3 pricing, and look forward to seeing many more Solarize communities maximize the savings available to them in the Solarize Mass program in the coming months.”

"The Pittsfield team is very excited about reaching Tier 3 and said Nate Joyner, the Pittsfield Community Solar Coach. “We want to take this opportunity to encourage Pittsfield and Lenox residents to talk to their friends and neighbors to get our community to that Tier 5 pricing by September.  We feel that reaching Tier 3 so quickly is a testament to the interest and enthusiasm Solarize is generating in Pittsfield and Lenox and we look forward to sharing this opportunity with everyone in our community interested in solar.

Solarize Mass, which is a partnership among the MassCEC and the Green Communities Division of the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), encourages the adoption of small scale solar PV by deploying a coordinated education, marketing and outreach effort, combined with a tiered pricing structure that provides increased savings as more people in the community go solar.  MassCEC provides technical support and hosts free educational meetings in the participating communities to educate people about the benefits of installing solar and to drive interest in implementing the technology.  

MassCEC and DOER launched Solarize Mass last year as a pilot program in four Green Communities, leading to 162 new contracts signed. Seventeen Green Communities - Acton, Arlington, Boston, Hopkinton, Melrose, Mendon, Millbury, Montague, Newburyport, Palmer, Pittsfield, Lenox, Shirley, Sutton, Wayland, Sudbury and Lincoln – were selected in April to participate in phase two of the program, which runs through September. 

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today announced Massachusetts’ clean energy economy grew by 11.2 percent from July 2011 to July 2012. According to the 2012 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report released today the growing sector now employs 71,523 people at 4,995 clean energy firms across Massachusetts.

"I have said from the beginning of this Administration that, if we get clean energy right, the world will be our customer. This past year’s 11.2 percent increase in clean energy jobs means that we are getting it right and the world knows it,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Investing in our nation-leading clean energy agenda is the right thing to do for our environment, our energy independence, our public health and our economic vitality. We owe it to our future to keep this momentum going strong.”

“The clean energy revolution is taking hold and creating local jobs,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan, who chairs the MassCEC Board of Directors. “Through Governor Patrick’s vision and supported by MassCEC’s innovative programs, the Commonwealth’s clean energy economy is growing rapidly, despite a tough economic environment across the nation.”

“Our innovation economy, including the clean energy sector, has been one of the drivers of our economic recovery and through our long-term economic development plan the Patrick-Murray Administration is committed to continuing that growth,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki. “This report shows that our clean energy sector is growing and providing good jobs throughout the Commonwealth, and that there is room in the future for more growth in this innovative industry.”

According to the report, 71,523 people are directly involved in work related to the state’s clean energy sector, an increase of 11.2 percent over 2011. This growth outpaced the overall economy nearly ten times over, and it’s expected to continue. Employers surveyed are optimistic about the coming year and expect to hire more workers in 2013. Clean energy continues to maintain its place as one of the Commonwealth’s marquee industries, with 1.7 percent of the total Massachusetts workforce.

The survey found a large number of firms in varied industries - ranging from construction and manufacturing to research and development - reporting activity and employment in the clean energy sector. Additionally the report identified a large number of companies that don’t necessarily identify themselves as clean energy companies first, but directly engage in activities related to the clean energy cluster - showing that clean energy penetrates numerous sectors of the Massachusetts economy.

“This report is proof that Massachusetts’ innovation economy is succeeding,” said incoming MassCEC Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Alicia Barton McDevitt, who begins her term on August 20. “The report affirms Massachusetts’ role as a national and global leader in clean energy development and deployment, and a success made possible by our talented workforce, world-class academic and research institutions, and Governor Patrick's vision for a clean energy future in Massachusetts.”

For the purposes of the report, a clean energy firm is defined as an employer engaged in whole or in part in providing goods and services related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, alternative transportation, and carbon management. Clean energy workers are defined as spending at least a portion of their time supporting the clean energy aspects of their businesses.

The 2012 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, which includes a breakdown of company and employment data by technology sector and geographic region and information on workforce trends, was prepared by BW Research Partnership on behalf of MassCEC.

BW Research Partnership administered surveys online and by telephone to a list of employers known to be engaged in the clean energy industry, as well as to a representative, clustered, random sample of companies from the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industries identified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as being potentially related to the renewable energy, energy efficiency, and alternative transportation sectors.

In total, researchers made more than 16,000 telephone calls and sent more than 5,200 emails to employers, yielding 930 survey responses with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.

“This study illustrates just how strong and diverse the clean energy economy is in Massachusetts,” said BW Research Vice President Phil Jordan. “Compared to other regions that we have studied, the rare mix of world-class educational institutions, venture capital, entrepreneurial small businesses, supportive government policies, and an eager and educated consumer base make this a state home to one of the strongest and most exciting clean energy sectors in the nation.

ReBuild Western Massachusetts officials are urging owners of homes and businesses damaged by last summer’s tornadoes to take advantage of its program, which provides loans and grants to building owners for energy efficient upgrades. The deadline to register is October 1, 2012.
Since its launch last fall, the ReBuild Western Massachusetts program, funded by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), has helped dozens of homeowners and businesses obtain grants and/or zero interest loans to repair, renovate or rebuild using smart energy approaches.

“This program demonstrates the Patrick-Murray Administration’s continued commitment to help these communities rebuild,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan. “We hope more homeowners and business owners take advantage of this great program to make their properties more energy efficient, saving them money in the long run and increasing their comfort.”

Eligible property owners in Hampden and Worcester Counties may apply for loans or grants to fund attic, wall, and basement insulation; high efficiency heating and hot water systems; Energy Star® replacement windows and doors; and solar electric and solar hot water systems.

“Without the loan, I couldn’t have done the things we did to bring the house up to the highest energy rating,” said Springfield resident Armando Feliciano, who received a $20,000 zero percent loan through Hampden Bank to rebuild his home that was destroyed by the June 1 tornado.

“This program is a continuation of our commitment to the Western Massachusetts communities affected by the June 1 tornadoes,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “Helping people rebuild their homes and businesses using energy efficient methods cuts energy costs, saves people money, and creates local jobs.”

“Communities that invest in energy efficiency cut long-term energy costs while creating local jobs,” said MassCEC CEO and Executive Director Alicia Barton McDevitt. “This recovery is not just about rebuilding what there was before but using the opportunity to construct something better that uses less energy and saves money.”

Property owners who suffered storm damage have until October 1, 2012 to contact the program and begin the application process. The building improvements need to be complete by December 31, 2012 and final completed application, receipts and invoices must be submitted no later than January 31, 2013.

Participants are eligible to apply if an insurance company, FEMA or other supporting state, local, and federal agencies has documented damage to their home or business. Interested applicants should go to www.mass.gov/energy/rebuildwesternma or call 877-524-1325 to make an appointment with an application and technical advisor.

NOTE: The program information associated with this announcement has been updated.  For updated information, view the latest release.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today announced a new $1 million program to further the development of clean energy technology in Massachusetts.

Under the program, MassCEC will offer between $100,000 and $300,000 for projects designed to address energy challenges facing the Commonwealth – such as renewable energy optimization, fuel efficient vehicles or energy storage – and will require a 50 percent in matching funds. MassCEC will award the funds to help companies finance demonstration projects, which test and showcase new technologies in preparation to commercialize technologies for the marketplace.

“Massachusetts companies are creating some of the most leading-edge clean energy technologies. Our support will help them create local jobs across the state and expand the adoption of clean energy,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan.

“Helping our emerging companies bring new technologies to market is at the core of our mission to grow the Massachusetts clean energy economy,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton-McDevitt. “Our investments in workforce development, incentives and commercialization are producing results including double-digit clean energy job growth in Massachusetts over the past year.”

Under the Patrick-Murray Administration's leadership, the Massachusetts’ clean energy economy grew by 11.2 percent from July 2011 to July 2012, according to the 2012 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, which shows the growing sector employs 71,523 people at 4,995 clean energy firms across the Commonwealth.

MassCEC will unveil the program details at the Global Clean Tech Meet-up set for October 15 through 18 in Boston and Cambridge. The Global Clean Tech Meet-up – an event sponsored by MassCEC, the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center (MTTC), the New England Clean Energy Council and the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems – is expected to draw 500 attendees from around the world including representatives from France, Japan, Israel, Canada, and Mexico.

The development of clean energy technologies requires a successful demonstration and validation of the technology in order to make it investable and ready for mass production.

With the idea of benefiting a large cross-section of the Massachusetts clean energy sector, under this program MassCEC will give preference to projects that involve multiple companies, research institutions and energy consumers, relationships that could be forged at the Global Clean Tech Meet-up. Potential co-applicants can meet and propose strategic partnerships to respond to the RFP at the Global Clean Tech Meet-up.

MassCEC will issue the program details including the topic areas in a Request for Proposals on October 1. MassCEC will host topic area sessions at the Global Clean Tech Meet-up on October 16 and 17. The first deadline for proposals is November 5 with the final applications due February 4, 2013.

“As a former CEO of a Massachusetts clean energy technology company, I know how important the demonstration phase of product development is and this funding opportunity fills a much-needed gap for early-stage companies,” said Mitch Tyson, Meet-up Executive Committee Member and Board Chair of the New England Clean Energy Council.

“The Global Cleantech Meet-up is the Commonwealth’s premier clean energy event that brings companies from all around the world to hear from and meet with the inspiring and leading voices of our clean energy ecosystem. I’m looking forward to seeing the business results of the connections made at the conference,” said Abigail Barrow, co-chair of the Meet-up and Founding Director of the MTTC.

“I applaud the MassCEC for their leadership in helping to build the energy industry in Massachusetts. This innovative funding program is a powerful way for energy companies to deploy and demonstrate their products and we look forward to seeing this program grow.  FastCAP Systems is a supportive participant in the Summit and this initiative has made our participation even more relevant this year,” said Riccardo Signorelli, CEO of FastCAP Systems.