Current Solarize Mass Customers Would Increase Boston’s Residential Solar Installations by 40 Percent
Boston, a program designed to help raise awareness of the affordability of solar, is already making an impact. Current signups would increase the number of residential solar installations in the city by more than 40 percent—a number that now includes Mayor Menino himself. The program, a partnership between The City of Boston and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), with SolarCity as the city’s sole solar service provider, mobilizes communities to adopt solar energy by incentivizing them with a tiered savings structure. Bostonians have until the end of the month to take advantage of the solar savings associated with the program.
“I encourage everyone to join the clean energy revolution in Boston,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “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.”
“We’re extremely happy with the response to Solarize Mass-Boston,” said Tim Roper, SolarCity’s Northeast Regional Manager. “With less than a month to go, now is the time for anyone interested in saving money through going to solar to join in this effort.”
The Solarize Mass program encourages the adoption of solar electricity through a coordinated education, marketing and outreach effort, with savings that increase as more people in the community go solar. The partners have hosted free educational meetings across the city to educate people about the benefits of installing solar. Prior to the start of the program, the city of Boston had 101 residential solar PV installations, according to MassCEC. With a few weeks to go in Solarize Mass, SolarCity has signed more than 40 new customers for the program.
“The efforts of Mayor Menino, the city and the state to encourage solar have been outstanding,” said Roper. “The local events have had fantastic turnout. It’s been a hot summer and that means high monthly bills. Once people learn that it’s possible to have solar installed for free and pay less for solar electricity than they pay for utility bills— it creates a lot of interest.”
"There are only a few weeks left for Boston residents to participate in SolarizeMass, an exciting solar partnership between DOER and MassCEC," said Dept. Of Energy Resources Commissioner Mark Sylvia. "The growth in clean, renewable solar installations keeps accelerating in cities and towns and this is a great way for homeowners to participate."
“A national model, this bulk pricing program lowers electricity rates and creates a network of home-grown energy sources while creating local jobs,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt. “Through partnership between the state, the city and SolarCity, we are leaving a brighter energy future for the next generation.”