New England Breeze will be Harvard’s integrator in the Solarize Massachusetts pilot, which was launched in April. Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and New England Breeze will present implementation plans at a Solar 201 information session at 7 p.m. in Volunteers Hall on Thursday, June 23. At that time, specific pricing and financing options will be reviewed, and interested residents and businesses will be able to sign up for a free solar assessment. A key factor in the pilot is tiered pricing—the greater the participation, the lower the price for each participant.
On Friday, June 10, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center announced that it is partnering with Alteris Renewables, Munro Distributing, and New England Breeze to provide services for the Solarize Massachusetts pilot towns of Hatfield, Harvard, Scituate, and Winchester. Harvard resident Tim Arnold, who is already “solarized,” participated with MassCEC in the integrator selection process.
In late April, MassCEC issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for bulk purchasing business models from solar integrators in which installation costs are based on a tiered structure that provides lower costs with increased capacity of solar installed within the community. MassCEC will partner with the integrators to provide education, free solar assessments, different ownership (or financing) models, and installation services in the Solarize Massachusetts pilot communities. Alteris Renewables will provide services for Solarize Massachusetts in the towns of Winchester and Hatfield. Munro Distributing will provide services in Scituate, and New England Breeze will provide services in Harvard.
Solarize Massachusetts is a new business model that MassCEC announced in April to encourage residents and business owners to adopt solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. MassCEC, in partnership with the Green Communities Division of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), selected the communities of Harvard, Hatfield, Scituate, and Winchester to participate in the model, which leverages education, grassroots marketing, and group purchasing to accelerate the adoption of solar PV.
“We are well on our way to reaching Governor Patrick’s goal to install 250 megawatts of solar power in Massachusetts by 2017—in the process building a new clean energy economy,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC board of directors. “Shifting to a clean energy economy hinges, ultimately, on energy choices made by individuals, families, and businesses across the state. Solarize Massachusetts embodies that grassroots approach and has the potential to take the Patrick-Murray Administration’s efforts to a new level, catalyzing wider adoption of solar energy and greater energy independence through the power of community connections.”
“The innovative business models offered by these three companies will make installing solar photovoltaic easier and more affordable than ever before,” said MassCEC Executive Director Patrick Cloney. “By deploying these models and educating communities on solar, Solarize Massachusetts will put us one step closer to reaching Governor Patrick’s solar energy goals, and one step closer to making clean energy a marquee industry in Massachusetts, like life sciences, IT and financial services.”
“I’m pleased Harvard has been selected to be a part of the promising new Solarize Massachusetts program, which I hope will lead to the increased use of solar technology in our community—and, ultimately, a successful business model for expanding solar throughout the commonwealth,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge.
“Recently designated a Green Community, Harvard is continuing their commitment to clean energy by participating in the Solarize Massachusetts Program,” said Representative Jennifer Benson. I congratulate them on being chosen as part of the pilot program and know the community will benefit greatly from this partnership.”
Harvard residents and businesses who want to know more about Harvard’s participation in Solarize Massachusetts can join the Facebook group “Solarize Harvard” or check out links on the MassCEC website, masscec.com/solarizemass. From there, links to sign up with New England Breeze for site evaluation will be available shortly.
