The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center announced last week that 162 residents and businesses contracted to install solar photovoltaic systems through the Solarize Massachusetts pilot, which launched in May 2011. These residents and businesses will install a total of 829 kilowatts of solar in the pilot towns of Harvard, Hatfield, Scituate, and Winchester.
"Solar power is the fastest growing segment of the Massachusetts' renewable energy industry, and continuing that growth is a cornerstone of Governor Patrick's clean energy agenda, including our nation-leading Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC board, in a statement last week. "Already named 'Green Communities' by the Department of Energy Resources, these four towns have taken clean energy leadership a step further, demonstrating the power of using community connections to catalyze wider adoption of solar energy and greater energy independence."
Since Patrick took office in 2007, solar power in Massachusetts has grown from 3.5 megawatts installed statewide to 100 megawatts now either installed or under contract, according to the MassCEC.
The number of solar installers operating in Massachusetts has grown from 50 in 2007 to more than 250 today, the MassCEC says. Overall, clean energy jobs are growing in Massachusetts according to the 2011 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, which finds that clean energy jobs grew 6.7 percent between July 2010 and July 2011.
Below are the results for each Solarize Massachusetts town:
- Harvard: 75 solar photovoltaic systems for 402.56 kW.
- Hatfield: 22 solar photovoltaic systems for 147 kW.
- Scituate: 30 solar photovoltaic systems for 115.2 kW.
- Winchester: 35 solar photovoltaic systems for 164.6 kW.
Before the launch of Solarize Mass, Harvard had 13 residential systems installed, Hatfield had five residential systems installed, Winchester had four residential systems installed, and Scituate had seven residential systems installed. The solar capacity installed through Solarize Massachusetts will save 651 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. During their lifetimes, these PV systems will save over 13,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 2,500 cars, the MassCEC says.
"These communities saw the opportunity in this exciting new model and led the way, demonstrating once again what can happen at the grassroots level to achieve the commonwealth's clean energy goals," said Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Mark Sylvia. "Residents are choosing [photovoltaic] systems in their homes not only to reduce their carbon footprint, but also because it made good economic sense. Solarize Mass and the results achieved are a true example of how we are going to create a cleaner energy future for Massachusetts, community by community."
As part of the Solarize Mass pilot, MassCEC issued a Request for Proposals 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. New England Breeze was selected as the Solarize installer for Harvard, Munro Distributing Company, Inc. was selected as the Solarize installer for Scituate, and Real Goods Solar, formerly Alteris Renewables, Inc. was selected as the Solarize installer for Hatfield and Winchester.
"I am extremely proud to have been part of Harvard's enthusiastic response to Solarize. The community produced a resounding success and a legacy that will extend beyond the 75 systems purchased under the program," said Solarize Mass Community Coordinator in Harvard Jim Elkind. "The community education and enthusiasm from Solarize have catalyzed Harvard residents to create a community solar garden for those that could not Solarize. It's tremendous that the Solarize program, an unanticipated benefit of having become a Green Community last year, will benefit so many residents for years to come."