Residential

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."
 

MassCEC is pleased to provide the following program update for the Commonwealth Solar II Rebate Program. As of noon today, June 22, 2012, Block 10 of the Commonwealth Solar II Rebate Program is still open, with $165,116 remaining. Block 10 will remain open until all available funds are reserved or until June 30, 2012 (end of the second calendar quarter), whichever comes first. Block 11 of the Commonwealth Solar II Rebate Program is currently scheduled to launch at 3:00 PM EST on Monday, July 9, 2012.
The Commonwealth Solar II Rebate Program helps finance the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for residential, non-profit, public, and commercial projects up to 15kW in capacity. Block 11 will consist of $1.5 million and will last until the funds are expended or until the end of the third quarter 2012, whichever is earlier. Quarterly blocks of funding are available for customers of investor owned utilities or Municipal Light Plants that have opted into MassCEC's Renewable Energy Trust.
Please see below for a summary of important program updates. Please note: Full details about all program changes cannot be captured in this email, so please read the program documents carefully!
Block 11 & 12 Rebate Levels (Capacity Measured in DC @ STC)

• Rebate levels will remain the same for Block 11 and Block 12.
• Base Incentive: $0.40/watt
• Massachusetts Company Components Adder: $0.05/watt
• Moderate Home Value Adder/Moderate Income Adder: $0.40/watt
• Natural Disaster Relief Adder: $1.00/watt
   

Program Changes for Block 11

• Qualification for the Moderate Income Adder will be based on an individual's or domestic household's 2011 tax return.
• Installers must submit Version 11 of the Application record.  Expedited Installers will continue to upload documentation in PowerClerk. Non-Expedited Installers will continue to email application documents to cs@masscec.com per the instructions in the Program Manual.
• Effective immediately, all project completion deadlines will be extended to one year from the date of approval (the date that the Notice of Award is issued).
• MassCEC incurs a significant financial penalty for incorrect information listed on W-9s.  Please make sure to work with System Owners to have these forms written clearly and accurately.  When submitting W-9s to MassCEC via email, please submit them to finance@masscec.com without copying other MassCEC staff.
• The Natural Disaster Relief Adder will be available for customers who have experienced damage from a natural disaster.  Please refer to the Program Manual for more detailed requirements.

Block 11 Program documents will be available at www.masscec.com/solar shortly before the launch of Block 11. Again, all changes cannot be captured in this email, so please read the program documents carefully!

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.

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

Ms. Barton McDevitt made the announcement during a celebration of a new solar project installation at Dry Dock Plaza Park in Boston. As a result of the city of Boston’s participation in Solarize Mass, the average Boston participant who enters into a contract to buy solar electricity will now pay 11 cents per kilowatt hour, compared to the statewide price of 15 cents per kilowatt hour for traditional energy sources, which can be a mix of coal-fired, nuclear or natural gas generation.

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

“A national model, this group pricing program locks in electricity prices and rates, and creates a network of locally-grown energy sources while creating local jobs,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan, who also serves as chairman of the MassCEC Board of Directors. “We applaud the city of Boston for its leadership in clean energy adoption.”

“I encourage everyone to join the clean energy revolution in Boston,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who announced he plans to install solar panels on his home. “Solar power is now more affordable than ever in the City. It’s being installed on residences, businesses and municipal buildings at an increasing rate, and we are on the way to meeting our 2015 goal of 25 megawatts of solar energy in Boston.”

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 129 megawatts of solar installed to date – the equivalent of powering more than 20,000 homes and eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from 13,870 cars per year.

“I hope Boston’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.

To date, a number of residents and businesses in Boston have banded together to participate in the program, contracting 18 solar systems for a total capacity of 89 kilowatts (kW).

Solarize Mass, which is available in 17 Massachusetts communities including Boston, 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 Boston residents and businesses, as well as for the Menino family,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “Solarize Mass and the 103 Green Communities are helping spread solar power across the 339 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, Boston homeowners entered into contracts to purchase solar would pay $73 with locked in pricing that hedges against potential future electricity price increases.

If a Boston participant wants to purchase a solar electric system under the program, the price for a 5 kW system (the average size for a home) is currently $21,000, rather than the state average at the beginning of the program of over $26,000.

A combination of federal and state incentive programs like Solarize Mass cover the costs of the investment over the lifespan of a solar installation. Under the current pricing, business and homeowners that purchase a 5 kW system could save $7,300 through federal and state tax credits and up to $4,250 in MassCEC rebates. The remainder of the costs would be recovered within approximately five years.

A committee of Boston volunteers and municipal officials selected a designated installer, Marlborough-based SolarCity.

Other solar installation incentives
To offset the cost of installing solar panels, residents and businesses are eligible for a combination of renewable energy incentives including a federal tax incentive of 30 percent and a state tax incentive of 15 percent of the total installation cost, up to $1,000. MassCEC also provides solar rebates through its Commonwealth Solar II Program. Solar projects are also eligible for no and low money down programs through solar installation companies.

Solar energy systems provide residents and businesses with two possible income streams. First is net metering, which allows residents and businesses to deposit any excess energy they generate as a credit into their utility account. The utility, much like a bank, would house credits that can be drawn down against existing or future energy costs. Second, there is an opportunity – under the Solar Renewable Energy Certificate Program (SREC) – for utilities to pay homeowners and business for the solar power they generate.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt today announced Acton 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 Acton participant who enters into a contract to buy solar electricity will now pay an average of 8 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 buying program, which would secure further price reductions as more participants sign up.
“I hope Acton’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.
To date, a number of residents and businesses in Acton have banded together to participate in the program, contracting 13 solar systems for a total capacity of 75.6 kilowatts (kW).
Solarize Mass, which is available in 17 Massachusetts communities including Acton, 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 Acton 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, Melrose homeowners entered into contracts to purchase solar would pay $56, with the price dropping if more people sign up for the program before the deadline.
“The Solarize Mass program has brought together the tools and resources needed to make solar power viable for many in our community,” said Acton Solar Coach Chris Schaffner. “Once residents understand their options, they can't wait to sign up. The enthusiasm is tremendous.”
A committee of Acton volunteers and municipal officials selected a designated installer, New England Clean Energy, which is based in Hudson.

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.