Innovator

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt today announced Millbury and Sutton residents and businesses qualify for lower solar energy rates than rates for traditional sources of energy under the Solarize Massachusetts Program (Solarize Mass).
As a result of Solarize Mass, the average Millbury and Sutton participant who enters into a contract to buy solar electricity will now pay an average of 5.5 cents per kilowatt hour. This rate is lower than the average statewide price of 15 cents per kilowatt hour for traditional energy sources, which are a mix of coal-fired, nuclear or natural gas generation.

Residents and businesses have until September 30 to participate in the bulk purchasing program, which would secure further price reductions as more participants sign up.

“I hope Millbury and Sutton’s renewable energy leadership will inspire residents in these communities and beyond to take advantage of this program that not only cuts energy costs, but creates local jobs,” said MassCEC CEO and Executive Director Alicia Barton McDevitt.

Under the leadership of Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts set a goal of achieving 250 megawatts of solar by 2017. As a result of the Solarize Mass program and other incentives, the state is more than halfway to its goal – with 143 megawatts of solar installed to date, the equivalent of powering 22,618 homes for a year.

To date, a number of residents and businesses in Millbury and Sutton have banded together to participate in the program, contracting 8 solar systems for a total capacity of 66.7 kilowatts (kW).

Solarize Mass, which is available in 17 Massachusetts communities including Millbury and Sutton, offers five tiers of discounted pricing based on the total solar capacity contracted under the program. As more residents and businesses contract for solar, the price for solar energy drops. Solarize Mass is administered by MassCEC and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).

“This is a bright day for Millbury and Sutton residents and businesses,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “Solarize Mass and the 103 Green Communities are helping spread solar power across the 340 of 351 communities that now have at least one state-supported solar electricity project.”

The average Massachusetts household uses 667 kilowatt hours per month, equivalent to an average $100 monthly bill for traditional energy sources. By installing a solar electric system under the Solarize program, Millbury and Sutton homeowners entered into contracts to purchase solar would pay $37, with the price dropping if more people sign up for the program before the deadline.

A committee of Millbury and Sutton volunteers and municipal officials selected a partnership between Hopedale-based Second Generation Energy.

About Solarize Mass
Solarize Mass, which is a partnership between the MassCEC and DOER’s Green Communities Division, encourages the adoption of small scale solar projects. The program is available to 17 Massachusetts Green Communities, which were designated by DOER after those communities committed to reducing municipal energy use by 20 percent. The communities are Acton, Arlington, Boston, Hopkinton, Melrose, Mendon, Millbury, Montague, Newburyport, Palmer, Pittsfield, Lenox, Shirley, Sutton, Wayland, Sudbury and Lincoln. Follow the Twitter hash tag #SolarizeMass for more information.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt today announced Newburyport residents and businesses qualify for lower solar energy rates than rates for traditional sources of energy under the Solarize Massachusetts Program (Solarize Mass).

As a result of Solarize Mass, the average Newburyport participant who enters into a contract to buy solar electricity will now pay an average of 12 cents per kilowatt hour. This rate is lower than the average statewide price of 15 cents per kilowatt hour for traditional energy sources, which are a mix of coal-fired, nuclear or natural gas generation.

Residents and businesses have until September 30 to participate in the bulk purchasing program, which would secure further price reductions as more participants sign up.

“I hope Newburyport’s renewable energy leadership will inspire residents in this community and beyond to take advantage of this program that not only cuts energy costs, but creates local jobs,” said MassCEC CEO and Executive Director Alicia Barton McDevitt.

Under the leadership of Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts set a goal of achieving 250 megawatts of solar by 2017. As a result of the Solarize Mass program and other incentives, the state is more than halfway to its goal – with 143 megawatts of solar installed to date, the equivalent of powering 22,618 homes for a year.

To date, a number of residents and businesses in Newburyport have banded together to participate in the program, contracting 12 solar systems for a total capacity of 71 kilowatts (kW).

Solarize Mass, which is available in 17 Massachusetts communities including Newburyport, offers five tiers of discounted pricing based on the total solar capacity contracted under the program. As more residents and businesses contract for solar, the price for solar energy drops. Solarize Mass is administered by MassCEC and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).

“This is a bright day for Newburyport residents and businesses,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “Solarize Mass and the 103 Green Communities are helping spread solar power across the 340 of 351 communities that now have at least one state-supported solar electricity project.”

The average Massachusetts household uses 667 kilowatt hours per month, equivalent to an average $100 monthly bill for traditional energy sources. By installing a solar electric system under the Solarize program, Newburyport homeowners entered into contracts to purchase solar would pay $80, with the price dropping if more people sign up for the program before the deadline.

A committee of Newburyport volunteers and municipal officials selected a partnership between Somerville-based SunBug Solar.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt today announced Arlington residents and businesses qualify for lower solar energy rates than rates for traditional sources of energy under the Solarize Massachusetts Program (Solarize Mass).
As a result of Solarize Mass, the average Arlington participant who enters into a contract to buy solar electricity will now pay an average of 5.9 cents per kilowatt hour. This rate is lower than the average statewide price of 15 cents per kilowatt hour for traditional energy sources, which are a mix of coal-fired, nuclear or natural gas generation.

Residents and businesses have until September 30 to participate in the bulk purchasing program, which would secure further price reductions as more participants sign up.

“I hope Arlington’s renewable energy leadership will inspire residents in this community and beyond to take advantage of this program that not only cuts energy costs, but creates local jobs,” said MassCEC CEO and Executive Director Alicia Barton McDevitt.

Under the leadership of Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts set a goal of achieving 250 megawatts of solar by 2017. As a result of the Solarize Mass program and other incentives, the state is more than halfway to its goal – with 143 megawatts of solar installed to date, the equivalent of powering 22,618 homes for a year.

To date, a number of residents and businesses in Arlington have banded together to participate in the program, contracting 16 solar systems for a total capacity of 74 kilowatts (kW).

Solarize Mass, which is available in 17 Massachusetts communities including Arlington, offers five tiers of discounted pricing based on the total solar capacity contracted under the program. As more residents and businesses contract for solar, the price for solar energy drops. Solarize Mass is administered by MassCEC and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).

“This is a bright day for Arlington residents and businesses,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “Solarize Mass and the 103 Green Communities are helping spread solar power across the 340 of 351 communities that now have at least one state-supported solar electricity project.”

The average Massachusetts household uses 667 kilowatt hours per month, equivalent to an average $100 monthly bill for traditional energy sources. By installing a solar electric system under the Solarize program, Arlington homeowners entered into contracts to purchase solar would pay $39, with the price dropping if more people sign up for the program before the deadline.

A committee of Arlington volunteers and municipal officials selected a partnership between Framingham-based SolarFlair.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Mark Sylvia today announced that the deadline of the Solarize Massachusetts Program (Solarize Mass) has been extended to Oct. 31, citing high demand for the solar bulk purchasing program.
The program was originally scheduled to end Sept. 30. The program, designed to increase the adoption of solar energy and reduce the cost of solar energy, offers residents and businesses long-term discounted solar pricing and lower prices than traditional sources of fossil fuel-based energy generation, which is also costly to the environment and public health.
Solarize Mass encourages the adoption of small scale solar PV systems by allowing residents and businesses to access a five-tiered, bulk purchasing program in their communities. As more people in a particular community contract for solar energy, the price drops for all involved.
“The adoption of clean, renewable energy is happening from the ground-up in communities across the state through this grassroots program,” said Commissioner Sylvia. “Together we are building a network of reliable, home-grown sources of energy and leaving a clean energy future for the next generation.”
“Extending the deadline will ensure everyone in these communities has the opportunity to take advantage of this program, which serves as a national model,” said CEO Barton McDevitt. “We’re beyond pleased with the response so far and expect the number of signed contracts to increase dramatically during October.”
To date, the 17 communities participating in Solarize Mass – Acton, Arlington, Boston, Hopkinton, Lenox, Lincoln, Melrose, Mendon, Millbury, Montague, Newburyport, Palmer, Pittsfield, Shirley, Sudbury, Sutton and Wayland – have contracted over 288 solar systems with an expected generation of 1.9 megawatts, enough to power the equivalent of 312 homes or cutting the emissions equal to taking 212 cars off the road.
More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in the program, with more than 2,000 of those scheduling site assessments at their homes or businesses.
The installers participating in the Solarize Mass program – Astrum Solar, New England Clean Energy, Northeast Solar Design Associates, Roof Diagnostics, SolarCity, SolarFlair and SunBug Solar – have agreed to extend the program deadline by one month in all 17 communities. Residents and businesses interested in participating should call (617) 315-9306 for more information.
Visit the community pages listed below for extension details specific to their municipality.
Solarize Acton; Solarize Arlington; Solarize Boston; Solarize Hopkinton; Solarize Lenox; Solarize Lincoln; Solarize Melrose; Solarize Mendon; Solarize Millbury; Solarize Montague; Solarize Newburyport; Solarize Palmer; Solarize Pittsfield; Solarize Shirley; Solarize Sudbury; Solarize Sutton; Solarize Wayland.
Under the leadership of Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts set a goal of achieving 250 megawatts of solar by 2017. As a result of the Solarize Mass program and other incentives, the state is more than halfway to its goal – with 143 megawatts of solar installed to date, the equivalent of powering 22,618 homes for a year or cutting the emissions equivalent to taking 15,375 cars of the road.
Massachusetts lies at the end of the energy pipeline – lacking indigenous supplies of coal, natural gas and oil. As a result, Massachusetts has some of the highest energy costs in the nation. Of the $22 billion Massachusetts spends annually on energy, $18 billion of that goes to out-of-state and foreign sources. Increasingly the state’s base of renewable energy through programs like Solarize Mass keeps more of that money in the local economy, while creating jobs at the same time.
Clean energy jobs in Massachusetts have grown by 11.2 percent from 2011 to 2012, according to the 2012 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report.

About Solarize Mass
Solarize Mass, which is a partnership between the MassCEC and DOER’s Green Communities Division, encourages the adoption of small scale solar projects. The program is available to 17 Massachusetts Green Communities, which were designated by DOER after those communities committed to reducing municipal energy use by 20 percent. Follow the Twitter hash tag #SolarizeMass for more information.

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.

Governor Deval Patrick today announced that the 2013 Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) Internship Program will expand paid internships for college students at Massachusetts-based clean energy companies. Governor Patrick made the announcement at the Global Cleantech Meet-up, an annual conference for clean energy technology industry professionals being held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center this week.
“I am proud we are able to expand this program and provide more students with an opportunity to gain the world experience necessary to compete in the 21st century global economy,” said Governor Patrick. “Through this program we are creating the clean energy leaders that will fuel our economy for years to come.”
Under Governor Patrick’s leadership, clean energy employment in Massachusetts grew by 11.2 percent from July 2011 to July 2012. The sector now employs over 71,000 people throughout Massachusetts.
During his address today, Governor Patrick discussed how the state is lowering the cost of energy and shaping the Commonwealth’s energy future. By increasing the commitment to renewable energy sources, the Patrick-Murray Administration is poising Massachusetts as a leader in the global energy revolution. Read his full remarks here.
Over the past two summers, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Internship Program placed more than 262 students and recent graduates in internships at more than 77 clean energy companies across the state. As a result of the internship program, 38 students gained full-time and part-time employment.
The expanded program, which will begin taking applications on November 1, will include 10-week internship sessions in the fall and spring, as well as traditional the 10-week summer program.
As in past years, MassCEC will provide Massachusetts-based clean energy companies with stipends of up to $12 per hour for up to 10 weeks for each intern. The summer session will continue to provide for full-time internships, with a cap of $4,800 per intern, while the spring and fall sessions will provide for part-time internships, with a cap of $2,400 per intern.
“Expanding this already robust summer program will help develop the next generation of clean energy leaders who will contribute to the global clean energy industry,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan, who chairs the MassCEC Board of Directors. “The program supports education and training which further the career goals of tomorrow’s clean energy leaders.”
In addition to compensation, interns gain meaningful employment experience such as networking opportunities, mentoring, and industry knowledge only gained from working within clean energy companies.
“This program is a natural way to connect emerging and established clean energy companies with the educated workforce that can help grow their businesses,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt. “These internships allow students and recent graduates to hone the skills they learned in the classroom and prepare for jobs in the expanding global clean energy sector.”
“Clean and renewable energy companies are thriving in Massachusetts, and offer students a wide variety of professional experiences,” said Peter Rothstein, president of the New England Clean Energy Council, which co-sponsors the program. “This program will continue to grow the innovation and leadership of this sector by grooming our next leaders. And by engaging these students in the clean energy sector, we promote the industry as an important career path.”
Earlier this month, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ranked Massachusetts as the number one state for energy efficiency policies and programs. ACEEE applauded the Commonwealth for continuing expansion on traditional energy policy and taking innovative approaches to investing in energy savings, creating clean energy jobs, and reducing reliance on foreign sources of energy, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt today announced Hopkinton residents and businesses have qualified for the lowest pricing tier available under the Solarize Massachusetts Program (Solarize Mass) and will receive prices well below rates for traditional sources of energy.

As a result of Solarize Mass, the average Hopkinton participant who enters into a contract to buy solar electricity will now pay an average of 5 cents per kilowatt hour. This rate is lower than the average statewide price of 15 cents per kilowatt hour for traditional energy sources, which are a mix of coal-fired, nuclear or natural gas generation.

Residents and businesses have until October 31 to sign contracts to participate in the bulk purchasing program.

“I hope Hopkinton’s renewable energy leadership will inspire residents in this community and beyond to take advantage of this program that not only cuts energy costs, but creates local jobs,” said MassCEC CEO and Executive Director Alicia Barton McDevitt.

Under the leadership of Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts set a goal of achieving 250 megawatts of solar by 2017. As a result of the Solarize Mass program and other incentives, the state is more than halfway to its goal – with 162 megawatts of solar installed to date, the equivalent of powering 25,623 homes for a year.

To date, a number of residents and businesses in Hopkinton have banded together to participate in the program, contracting 38 solar systems for a total capacity of 252 kilowatts (kW).

Solarize Mass, which is available in 17 Massachusetts communities including Hopkinton, offers five tiers of discounted pricing based on the total solar capacity contracted under the program. As more residents and businesses contract for solar, the price for solar energy drops. Solarize Mass is administered by MassCEC and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).

“This is a bright day for Hopkinton residents and businesses,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “Solarize Mass and the 103 Green Communities are helping spread solar power across the 340 of 351 communities that now have at least one state-supported solar electricity project.”

The average Massachusetts household uses 667 kilowatt hours per month, equivalent to an average $100 monthly bill for traditional energy sources. By installing a solar electric system under the Solarize program, Hopkinton homeowners entered into contracts to purchase solar would pay $33.

A committee of Hopkinton volunteers and municipal officials selected a partnership between Framingham-based SolarFlair.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) this week received one of the Clean Energy States Alliance’s (CESA) seven 2012 State Leadership in Clean Energy awards for MassCEC’s Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Pilot Program.
The program offered rebates on a first-come, first-served basis to residential and commercial property-owners who install solar panels to power water and space heating in their homes or businesses.
MassCEC Project Manager Christie Howe accepted the award Monday evening at CESA’s fall meeting in Albany, New York.
“It’s an honor to receive this award for our innovative Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Program, which has helped 320 businesses and homeowners cut their energy costs by using the sun to heat water,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt, who also attended the meeting. “We hope our approach to supporting thermal performance-monitoring will serve as a national model.”
The Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Program provides rebates of up to 25 percent of total system costs, up to $3,500 for residential systems or up to $50,000 for commercial-scale systems.
During the pilot program, MassCEC distributed $535,000 in rebates, which funded 320 residential and commercial-scale systems.
The pilot program also took a nation-leading approach towards incentivizing the installation of performance monitoring equipment for solar hot water systems. Residents were given the option of installing the monitoring equipment, which tracks the system’s performance and alerts to disruptions in service, while commercial projects were required to install the equipment.
Both residential and commercial clients received an additional rebate to cover the costs of the performance monitoring equipment.
Solar hot water systems generate thermal energy from sunlight to heat water through roof-mounted solar collectors. Heating water accounts for roughly 20 percent of all home energy consumption, and installing a solar water heater can save between 50 and 75 percent of those costs, reducing the need for traditional fossil fuel sources of energy.
To date, projects installed through the program have produced hot water equal to the amount used in 150 Massachusetts homes.
MassCEC previously won CESA State Leaders in Clean Energy awards for its Community Scale Wind Initiative in 2011 and its Solar Energy for Green Affordable Housing program in 2009.
“Despite challenging economic conditions and uncertainty over continuing federal support, the SLICE Award-winning state programs have demonstrated innovation, supported emerging technologies, and advanced clean energy markets,” said Mark Sinclair, Executive Director of CESA. “After a decade of experience working with clean energy funds across the country, CESA feels confident that these programs represent the best of what’s out there today.”

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) today announced that the deadline for the Solarize Massachusetts program (Solarize Mass  has been extended to Nov. 4 due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy on the Commonwealth.
"With the storm bringing high winds and heavy rain to Massachusetts, we want to ensure that solar installers and home and business owners can safely execute contracts," said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt. "This will give homeowners and businesses extra time to focus on storm recovery while keeping the program open so they can still participate."
Solarize Mass is currently underway in Acton, Arlington, Boston, Hopkinton, Lenox, Lincoln, Melrose, Mendon, Millbury, Montague, Newburyport, Palmer, Pittsfield, Shirley, Sudbury, Sutton and Wayland.
“We want to make sure people will have some extra time to participate in this program following the devastating storm this week,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “We appreciate the work of the communities to get the word out to residents and businesses about the opportunity to lock in discounted solar pricing.”
Residents and business owners looking to sign a contract should contact their solar installer directly.
The program, designed to increase the adoption of solar energy and reduce the cost of solar energy, offers residents and businesses long-term discounted solar pricing and lower prices than traditional sources of fossil fuel-based energy generation, which is also costly to the environment and public health.
Solarize Mass, administered jointly by MassCEC and DOER, encourages the adoption of small scale solar PV systems by allowing residents and businesses to access a five-tiered, bulk purchasing program in their communities. As more people in a particular community contract for solar energy, the price drops for all involved.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Green Communities Division today announced a $500,000 pilot program to help local communities identify energy efficiency, renewable energy and other clean energy strategies to meet local energy needs.
The Community Energy Strategies Program will provide technical and financial assistance for up to four municipalities and at least one regional planning authority to help identify, prioritize and enable a mix of clean energy strategies and incentives best suited to address local interests, needs, resources and opportunities for clean energy development.
The program is designed to help communities assess and evaluate clean energy investments ranging from high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment and insulation to wind turbines and solar photovoltaic systems.
“Many Massachusetts communities have strong interest in pursuing clean energy development, but lack the technical and financial capacity to identify and take full advantage of local clean energy opportunities,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. “The program will enable local communities to maximize their clean energy potential.”
“This pilot program is one more way for DOER to help communities identify resources that are available to assist them in growing their clean energy portfolio,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “We hope that our partnership with MassCEC will lead to an increase of wind, solar, anaerobic digestion and other clean energy projects, which will benefit local residents and Massachusetts as a whole.”
“An ideal approach to clean energy employs a combination of energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy generation,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt. “Projects that work for one community may not work for another, and thus this program is designed to help municipalities find the best projects for their communities.”
Massachusetts lies at the end of the energy pipeline – lacking indigenous supplies of traditional energy resources. As a result, Massachusetts has some of the highest energy costs in the nation. Of the $22 billion Massachusetts spends annually on energy, $18 billion of that goes to out-of-state and foreign sources.
The state’s growing renewable energy portfolio and emphasis on energy efficiency – the state’s “first fuel” - keeps more of that spending in the Massachusetts economy, while creating local jobs. As a result of Massachusetts’ progressive clean energy policies, clean energy jobs in Massachusetts have grown by 11.2 percent from 2011 to 2012, according to the 2012 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report.