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ReBuild Western Massachusetts and local officials are reminding owners of homes and businesses damaged by last summer’s tornadoes that time is running out to take advantage of the 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. “With the deadline drawing near, 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.
“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.
“The Rebuild Program offers funds to residents and business owners to make stronger and more efficient upgrades that will produce significant cost savings, while creating jobs for local vendors,” said Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.  
“Business owners are encouraged to apply for ReBuild funds that will create the opportunity to rebuild highly efficient systems to help the community achieve long-term sustainability,” said Jeff Ciufreda, President of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
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.

Center will host topic area sessions at Global Cleantech Meet-up

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today released a request for proposals as part of its new $1 million program to further the development of clean energy technology in Massachusetts.

Under InnovateMassc (Innovate Mass to the Clean Power), MassCEC will offer grants of up to $150,000 for projects designed to address energy challenges facing the Commonwealth – such as the need for more efficient trucks and shuttle buses, advanced wastewater treatment technologies or energy storage – and will require 100 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.

The program will be highlighted at the Global Cleantech 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 that is expected to draw more than 400attendees from around the world to Boston and Cambridge October 15 through 18.

“We’re looking for teams to create clean energy demonstration projects that have strong commercialization potential and create jobs here in Massachusetts, while reducing energy use and environmental impacts,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. “We’re looking for leading ideas to fuel our innovative clean energy sector.”

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, MassCEC will give preference to projects that involve multiple companies, research institutions and energy consumers, relationships that could be forged at the Global Cleantech Meet-up. Potential co-applicants can meet and propose strategic partnerships to respond to the RFP at the Global Cleantech Meet-up.

“If we can help companies and entrepreneurs demonstrate their technology, they have the potential to create new products, new services and even entirely new markets for growth,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt. “The Global Cleantech Meet-up offers the perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs to meet with investors and take advantage of this program.”

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.

The full RFP is available at http://www.masscec.com/innovatemass.

The first deadline for proposals is December 21 [corrected from earlier draft].

“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.

“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 Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), in partnership with the City of New Bedford, will host an informational public meeting regarding the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal. Once constructed, the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal will be the first facility in the nation designed to support the construction, assembly, and deployment of offshore wind projects. The terminal will also provide the Port of New Bedford new capacity to handle high-volume bulk and container shipping, as well as large specialty marine cargo. As part of construction, the project includes the dredging and removal of approximately 250,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment, a significant environmental benefit to the City of New Bedford. The first of its kind in North America, the terminal has been engineered to sustain mobile crane and storage loads that rival the highest capacity ports in the world.
The public meeting will include a presentation regarding construction and a question and answer session.
WHAT:
Informational public meeting on the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal
WHO:
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, in partnership with the City of New Bedford and the New Bedford Economic Development Council
WHEN:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE:
New Bedford Public Library,
613 Pleasant St., Third Floor
New Bedford, MA 02740

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today announced BulbTrip as the grand prize winner of the Second Annual Boston Cleanweb Hackathon, a $10,000 prize competition to demonstrate the impact of applying information technology to tackle some of the world’s most urgent energy concerns.
Held this past weekend at Greentown Labs in the Boston Innovation District, the competition brought together entrepreneurs, thought leaders, computer developers, business and technology professionals with experts on energy and efficiency to develop web-based applications to target some of today’s most pressing resource constraints.
“We’re happy this event has found a home here in Massachusetts, where there is a natural spirit of entrepreneurship, a hub of innovation with a robust cluster of people dedicated to solving some of the world’s biggest energy and water challenges,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton.
Over the course of the 30 hours, nearly 80 participants, representing businesses, students and entrepreneurs creatively challenged their minds to create more than 20 innovative information technology solutions to address energy constraints and compete for over $10,000 in prizes.
A second prize competition, the Data Jam, was also launched at the Hackathon. The Data Jam is a 90-day challenge focused on the creation of impactful and market-ready applications for building efficiency and transportation. The competition is supported by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, U.S. Department of Energy, the City of Boston’s Greenovate Initiative and EnerNOC and will award $15,000 in prizes later this year.
"These kinds of collaborative efforts help our nation move toward energy independence while spurring new jobs and economic growth," said Nick Sinai, deputy chief technology officer from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy who kicked off the Data Jam session.
“Boston is a global leader in the cleanweb movement and is growing the sector rapidly due to its unmatched ecosystem of new venture creation, innovation and forward thinkers challenging the status quo,” said Mark Vasu, co-chair of the organizing committee. “It is no surprise Boston's event is the largest of its kind, supported enthusiastically by so many.”
BulbTrip received the $6,000 grand prize.  BulbTrip’s application, described as Zappos for residential lighting, is an e-commerce site designed to make it easy for homeowners to buy, try and return efficient lighting options and understand the paybacks of them as well.
The $3,000 second place and People’s Choice Award winner was Green Captcha, whose web application uses sign-in technology “captcha” tools that raise awareness and educate consumers about environmental issues. JCube, the $1,000 third place winner provides an energy use and analytics platform for City of Boston school buildings, equating potential energy savings to other budgeting elements like hiring teachers. Other notable applications included MapMyEnergy.com and Sim Energy Boston in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
The top Data Jam team entries are Paddleboard.com, a mobile app for transportation that aggregates travel options and choices by energy use, and Crowd Control, an energy efficiency platform that empowers individuals to eliminate waste and capture high-value energy saving in the buildings where they work. Winning teams are invited to present on the main stage and receive free admission to the VERGE Boston conference May 13-14. Data Jam teams will also receive mentoring and support until they pitch their final, market-ready apps at the launch of the Cleantech Open Northeast Summer Academy in Boston on June 26. Top entries are invited to showcase their solutions at the next Energy Datapalooza organized by White House officials.
The competition judges were: Rob Day, partner, Black Coral Capital; Roberto Ramirez, chief financial officer, MassCEC; Hugh Scandrett, vice president of engineering, EnerNOC; Leo Shklovski, CTO and co-founder, EnergySavvy and the moderator was Matthew Nordan, vice president, Venrock.

The Patrick-Murray Administration today announced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided the Commonwealth with environmental approval to construct the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, a multi-purpose facility that will enable the Port of New Bedford to handle high volume bulk and container shipping, as well as large specialty marine cargo. The terminal will also be the first facility in the nation designed to support the construction, assembly, and deployment of offshore wind projects.

With the EPA’s authorization, the project is expected to go out to bid to prospective developers within the next several weeks, and be completed in 2014. The terminal will be able to accommodate the docking of vessels that deliver wind turbine parts as well as barges to transport the assembled components from the port to the installation area. In addition, the terminal area includes significant lay-down space for wind turbine components and trans-shipment cargo.

“This facility makes Massachusetts the East Coast hub for offshore wind development while strengthening New Bedford’s position as a port city,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “The construction of the terminal helps launch a new clean energy industry in Massachusetts that will create hundreds of jobs, enhance our energy security, and reduce fossil fuel emissions.”

“By focusing on clean energy initiatives and supporting economic development in our seaport communities, this project will improve infrastructure that is vital to New Bedford’s harbor,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, Chair of the Seaport Advisory Council.  “As we move ahead with this project, we look forward to creating jobs and growing the regional economy.”

In its decision, the EPA determined that the project is protective of both human health and the environment, meets the substantive requirements of federal and state environmental standards, and is consistent with the ongoing New Bedford Harbor Superfund remediation. As part of construction, the project will include significant environmental cleanup of up to 244,600 cubic yards of contaminated sediment that currently rests on the harbor bottom within the footprint of the project, the deposition of which was the result of waste releases from industrial activities around the harbor during the 1930s and 1940s.

“After carefully reviewing all of the data and supporting material, EPA is confident that the work needed to construct the South Terminal in New Bedford can be done in a way that protects the health of local citizens, and protects New Bedford’s environment,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office.  “This is another example of EPA work that is helping New Bedford to revitalize its economy by cleaning the environment, and to begin another chapter in its proud history.”

The terminal facility involves the construction of a new coffer-dam style bulkhead capable of providing berthing space for large shipping vessels, including those delivering offshore wind components and the jack-up barges that will serve as construction vessels for offshore wind projects. The facility will increase the existing capability in New Bedford Harbor to receive ships up to 500 feet in length, increasing the City’s competitiveness as a medium-sized Northeast port, and putting the port at the forefront of what is expected to become a robust renewable energy supply chain industry. In addition to receiving and handling large offshore wind components, the terminal will provide the port with a new capability to receive oversized equipment such as rail cars and industrial-sized boilers.

“This project comes with infinite potential,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. “Not only will it make Massachusetts a national leader in offshore wind, but it will contribute to the revitalization the City of New Bedford, making it a major player in the shipping industry, bringing economic dividends to the region.”

Specifically, the new terminal’s major construction elements include:

• Dredging and removal of contaminated sediment in the harbor to create a channel to the facility that will be constructed to a depth of 30 feet for the passage of deep water vessels;
• The construction of a 1,000 foot long extension to the existing South Terminal bulkhead. The new bulkhead will be built as a coffer-dam style structure capable of supporting large vessel berthing as well as heavy shore-side cranes for the unloading of cargo and industrial components that are expected to range in size from large to super-sized.
• Placing of the clean sediment generated from the dredging behind the bulkhead to create additional acres of productive land available for staging commercial scale offshore wind projects; and
• Constructing a Confined Aquatic Disposal (CAD) cell offshore for disposal and sequestration of any contaminated soils in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

The project is a collaboration of multiple agencies within the Commonwealth, including the Executive Offices of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), and Administration and Finance (ANF), the Departments of Environmental Protection and Fish and Game, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), and the City of New Bedford.  Apex Companies Waterways Division, a marine and infrastructure engineering and environmental services group with a long history of successful projects completed in New Bedford Harbor, serves as the Commonwealth’s permitting, design and construction implementation consultant.

“The South Terminal project is a milestone for our area’s economic development. The potential for the facility is unlimited and will lead to the creation of a number of local jobs,” said Sen. Mark Montigny, long time sponsor of the state bonding that is financing the project. “The building of the terminal facility will enable New Bedford to become the leading East Coast offshore wind staging port and will ensure New Bedford’s role in this fast developing maritime related industry. I look forward to working with state and city officials to bring this project to completion in a timely and cost effective manner.”

“This project is a significant state investment in New Bedford,” said Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral. “State investments mean jobs, and I will continue to work with Governor Patrick to make this project a reality.”

“New Bedford has quickly become the center of attention for the offshore wind industry in North America, and with good reason,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. “If we continue our steady progress, the South Terminal Project has the best chance anywhere in the country of becoming the birthplace of this exciting new industry on U.S. shores. Securing this decision from EPA is a significant step towards this goal. The South Terminal Project is in this enviable position today only because of the commitment and careful attention of the EPA and its Regional Administrator Curt Spalding and the sustained efforts of a host of state agencies lead by Governor Patrick and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan.  Our hats are off to all of them.”

“Offshore wind development will provide a promising economic future for the Commonwealth,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt. “Today we’ve taken a big step toward that future, which will not only create local jobs but tap in to a powerful local source of clean and reliable energy.”

“Rarely does a project come along that will both improve environmental quality and expand economic opportunity as much as the South Terminal Expansion. EPA’s approval of the project represents an exciting moment for New Bedford and for the future of renewable energy in New England,” said Mark Rasmussen, President of the Buzzards Bay Coalition.  

The final cost of the terminal is estimated to be approximately $100 million, when the costs of construction, land acquisition, development and environmental permitting, harbor dredging and environmental remediation are included. The project will be financed by the Commonwealth with contributions from the City of New Bedford and the investment will be offset by revenue generated by users of the terminal.

The terminal is ideally suited for the burgeoning offshore wind industry in the United States as it is located in proximity to areas along the East Coast that are under consideration for offshore wind development. The federal government is leading an offshore wind permitting and leasing process in nine states, including Massachusetts, along the Atlantic Coast. That process is expected to lead to the construction of multiple projects, many of which could make use of this first-in-the-nation facility.

America’s best offshore wind resource is in New England, however, it is a substantial distance from our current offshore oil infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico. A purpose built facility in the Northeast is necessary to handle the heavy loads and demanding logistics of commercial scale offshore wind projects.

“Cape Wind applauds the Commonwealth’s development of the multi-purpose marine facility. The port will bring marine commerce and jobs to New Bedford for years to come, and will contribute to the development of a robust offshore wind industry,” said Jim Gordon, President of Cape Wind.

“Offshore wind will create many good paying jobs in this region, and New Bedford will play a major role in this new green jobs economy. The state’s investment in New Bedford is critical to this effort,” said Jeff Grybowski, CEO Deepwater Wind.

“I would like to applaud Massachusetts for achieving a significant milestone towards completing the New Bedford Marine Terminal,” said Erich Stephens, Executive Vice President of Offshore MW. “This infrastructure investment will help provide the foundation for a new industry that will put many more to work for years to come, and will combat the climate change that is already impacting the entire East Coast. Thanks to the vision of Governor Patrick and many other officials in Massachusetts, New Bedford will soon be an American offshore wind success story, and help launch the US offshore wind industry.”

“EDF Renewable Energy supports the expansion of the New Bedford Terminal as part of Massachusetts’ offshore wind development efforts. This expansion is another great example of Massachusetts’ leadership in renewable energy. We applaud these efforts to spur job creation and support clean energy,” said Jim Shretter, VP at EDF Renewable Energy.

“Fishermen’s Energy applauds the joint efforts today of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of New Bedford leadership to make significant investment in expanding the New Bedford port,” said Daniel Cohen, Chairman of the Board of Fishermen’s Energy. “Fishermen’s Energy is committed to working with State and local officials to assure that opportunities for growth in both the fishing industry and the offshore wind industry are to the greatest extent compatible to assure sustainable fisheries along with renewable energy.”

Offshore wind is the largest potential source of clean energy for Massachusetts, and its development can create a significant new industry here in the Commonwealth. The U.S. Department of Energy projects 43,000 clean energy jobs will be created in the offshore wind industry nationally by 2020. Massachusetts expects to play a large role in this industry.

The EPA authorization comes following a public hearing held in New Bedford in July 2012.

As part of this process, the Commonwealth submitted data relating to environmental resource impact assessments and environmental mitigation measures.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt today announced the release of the construction bid for the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal.

The announcement closely follows the project’s environmental approval on Nov. 19 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Once constructed, the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal will be the first facility in the nation designed to support the construction, assembly, and deployment of offshore wind projects. The terminal will also be able to handle high-volume bulk and container shipping, as well as large specialty marine cargo. As part of construction, the project includes the dredging and removal of 244,600 cubic yards of contaminated sediment caused by industrial waste generated during the 1930s and 1940s, a significant environmental benefit to the City of New Bedford. The first of its kind in North America, the terminal has been engineered to sustain mobile crane and storage loads that rival the highest capacity ports in the world.

Bids are due by Jan. 23, 2013. Construction is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2013 and be completed in 2014.

“The development of an offshore wind industry in Massachusetts will not only create jobs but provide an abundant local source of clean and reliable energy,” said Barton McDevitt. “This is another significant step toward the construction of a first-in-the-nation facility, which will establish Massachusetts as the hub for offshore wind development along the East Coast.”

“Today’s announcement is further demonstration of why New Bedford will be the birthplace of offshore wind energy in North America,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. “No other port enjoys the same competitive advantages: proximity to the natural resource, a deep-water harbor, a major state financial commitment, federal regulatory approvals, strong community support and a qualified labor force with two-hundred years seafaring experience.”  

The terminal, which will be located inside New Bedford Harbor and protected by the hurricane barrier,  will be in close proximity to offshore wind planning areas along the East Coast that are under consideration for development. The federal government is leading an offshore wind permitting and leasing process in nine states, including Massachusetts, along the Atlantic Coast. That process is expected to lead to the construction of multiple projects, many of which could make use of this first-in-the-nation facility.

Learn about the specific construction elements of the project. 

Offshore wind is the largest potential source of clean energy for Massachusetts, and its development can create a significant new industry here in the Commonwealth. The U.S. Department of Energy projects 43,000 clean energy jobs will be created in the offshore wind industry nationally by 2020. The Patrick-Murray Administration set the ambitious goal of reaching 2,000 megawatts of wind energy in Massachusetts by 2020. This goal is part of Governor Patrick’s nation-leading support for clean energy policies aimed at reducing reliance on foreign sources of energy, cutting energy costs and use, while cutting harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center requests that companies seeking to bid or have inquiries regarding the bid process to contact Apex Companies, LLC attention Christopher Morris, PE; 125 Broad Street, 5th Floor; Boston, MA 02110 or by telephone at (617) 728-0070 or via e-mail at cmorris@apexcos.com.

As part of a statewide effort to reach Governor Patrick's goal of 250 megawatts (MW) of solar power installed by 2017, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today launched the second round of its Solarize Massachusetts (Solarize Mass) program. MassCEC is now accepting applications from designated Green Communities interested in participating in Solarize Mass, which encourages residents and business owners to adopt solar photovoltaic (PV) technology through a program model that includes grassroots marketing, education and group purchasing.

“Today you’ll find solar projects in 328 out of our 351 cities and towns. This growth is not by accident, its happened under the leadership of Governor Patrick through a suite of policies and programs designed to grow the state’s solar business sector and put the cost of solar power within the reach of more people than ever before,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs MassCEC’s board of directors and whose office includes DOER. “Solarize Massachusetts will take these efforts to a new level, catalyzing wider adoption of solar energy and greater energy independence through the power of community connections.”

The Solarize Mass Pilot, which launched in the spring of 2011, deployed a grassroots, volunteer-driven effort that is bringing solar power to 162 Massachusetts homes at discounted rates. By utilizing grassroots organizing, civic engagement, bulk purchasing, and educational outreach, the towns of Harvard, Hatfield, Scituate and Winchester helped their communities install a total of 829 kW of solar energy. The solar capacity installed through the Solarize Mass Pilot will save 651 metric tons of CO2 annually. During their lifetimes, these PV systems will save over 13,000 metric tons of CO2, equivalent to the emissions of more than 2,500 cars.

“Solarize Mass was incredibly successful in the first four towns and is empowering residents to drive growth of solar in their own communities, while helping us reach Governor Patrick’s solar energy goals,” said MassCEC Chief Executive Officer Patrick Cloney, “By spurring engagement and encouraging neighbor-to-neighbor advocacy for solar energy education and adoption, we look forward to helping more communities across Massachusetts become vibrant solar towns.”

MassCEC, in partnership with the Green Communities Division of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) today launched the second iteration of Solarize Mass. MassCEC and DOER will select at least ten communities to participate. Selected communities will be announced in mid March. MassCEC will then issue 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. For each of the Solarize Mass communities, the chosen installer will partner with MassCEC and the community to provide free solar site assessments, different ownership (or financing) models, and installation services.

MassCEC will provide education and marketing support to help the selected communities implement a community-wide solar PV program for residential and small-scale commercial projects. MassCEC will provide technical support and host free educational meetings in the communities to educate people about the benefits of installing solar and to drive interest in implementing the technology.

On February 27 MassCEC will hold a bidder’s conference for green communities interested in applying to Solarize Mass. The bidder’s conference will take place at Volunteers Hall at the Harvard Library at 4 Pond Road in Harvard at 2:00 p.m. and will also be broadcast via webinar. Communities interested in applying should participate to learn more about the program, hear from the communities that participated in the first Solarize Mass pilot, and to get their questions answered by Solarize Mass staff.

Click here to download the Solarize Mass RFP to Green Communities.

To register for the webinar visit: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/410326122

To RSVP for the live meeting email your contact information to solarize@masscec.com  

“It is exciting to see this program extend to more of our Green Communities, which are already leading the way in Massachusetts with their commitments to energy reduction and development of clean energy technologies,” DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia said.  “Solarize Massachusetts provides another opportunity for cities and towns to strengthen their commitment to a cleaner energy future.”

As a result of the Commonwealth Solar rebate programs launched in 2008 and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for solar on water treatment facilities and other public buildings, Massachusetts saw a more than 20-fold increase in solar PV installations between 2007 and 2011. Currently, there are nearly 77 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.

The Commonwealth Solar rebate programs also helped spur a vibrant solar industry in Massachusetts. Overall, clean energy jobs are growing in Massachusetts according to the 2011 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, which finds a total of 4,909 clean energy businesses in Massachusetts that employ more than 64,000 workers. These companies reported a 6.7 percent job growth rate from July 2010 to July 2011. Solar energy is the most prominent renewable energy technology area for Massachusetts clean energy companies, with more than two in three renewable energy employers working with solar energy technologies.