2013 Solarize Massachusetts: Round 1

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is requesting proposals from Massachusetts cities and towns to demonstrate local interest and engagement in participating in the Round 1 of the of 2013 Solarize Massachusetts program. This program will drive community adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects through a partnership focused on localized marketing and installation efforts, which in turn will help to drive down the installation cost of small-scale solar PV installations within the selected communities.

MassCEC and DOER will conduct two rounds of the Solarize Mass program in 2013. During each round of the program, MassCEC and DOER will plan to select a minimum of eight (8) communities (or groups of communities) to participate in the program. Communities are welcome to apply to one or both rounds, but selected communities can only participate in the program once.

Communities that demonstrate a clear and committed plan to increasing education and outreach around solar PV, ideas on how to streamline the permitting processes around small-scale solar PV installations, and experience with solar PV, will be highly competitive.

RFP Documents

Below are the solicitation documents and timeline for the RFP Process. Please read all program documents carefully.

• Solarize Mass RFP To Communities
• Attachment A - Signature and Acceptance Form
• Attachment B - Notice of Confidential Information Cover Letter
• Attachment C - Draft MassCEC – Community Contract
• Attachment D – Community Solar Coach Program Duties and Commitments form
• Attachment E – Community Proposal Checklist and Application
• 2013 Solarize Mass Community RFP FAQ (Posted 2/13/2013)
• 2011 Solarize Mass Pilot Overview
• 2012 Solarize Mass Program Update (Posted 2/15/13)
• Solarize Mass Webinar Slides - 2012-2013 Overview
• 2012 Solarize Mass Community Marketing Proposals (.zip)

RFP Timeline

MassCEC and DOER are still in the process of selecting communities to participate in Round 1 of the 2013 Solarize Massachusetts program. An announcement will be sent out via email once the communities are selected, and the list will also be posted on the Solarize Mass website. Please sign up for email updates by filling out the form on our contact page. Please note that the installer RFP deadline for submitting proposals will be modified accordingly.

MassCEC and DOER hosted a Solarize Mass webinar on January 23rd, 2013, which reviewed the 2012 Solarize Massachusetts program results and gave an overview of the 2013 RFP for Communities. A recording of the webinar, and the associated slides can be found by going to DOER’s webinar website at http://www.mass.gov/eea/energy-utilities-clean-tech/green-communities/webinars.html.

Questions

Please submit all questions to solarize@masscec.com by February 4, 2013. “Solarize Massachusetts RFP –Communities” must appear in the email subject line. Responses to submitted questions, and other Frequently Asked Questions, will be posted by February 11, 2013 at 5pm on this web page and at www.solarizemass.com.