Now in its tenth year, Solarize Mass is a partnership between MassCEC and the Green Communities Division of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). Click here to see a map of all Solarize Communities and results to date.
How it works
The Solarize Mass program looks to increase the adoption of small-scale solar electricity systems through a grassroots educational campaign, driven mainly by local volunteers and reduced pricing that increases the savings for participants. Each participating community competitively selects a designated solar installation company. Homeowners and business owners who want to participate can either purchase the solar electricity systems directly or enter into a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) with the installer if offered. Under a lease or PPA, the installer will own, operate and maintain the system, while the home or business owner agrees to purchase the power generated by the system as a specific rate.
The Solarize Mass Plus program pairs the Solarize Mass model with an additional technology offering. This program was piloted in 2017 and continued through 2020. Participating communities have opted for solar PV plus a range of eligible technologies including, air source heat pumps, battery storage, electric vehicles, ground source heat pumps, and solar hot water. Eligible technologies range from various Clean Heating and Cooling technologies, to Energy Efficiency or Electric Vehicles. In addition to competitively selecting a solar installation company, MassCEC will assist the community in competitively selecting a vendor for the Plus technology or technologies.
Since Solarize Mass launched in 2011, the program has resulted in almost 20,000 individuals expressing interest in pursuing solar electricity and other clean energy technology systems. To date, over 3,700 residents and business owners in 85 communities signed contracts resulting in over 25.66 megawatts of contracted capacity. The Solarize Mass Plus program has resulted in the contracting of an additional 111 clean energy technologies. In addition, the number of small-scale solar electricity projects in almost every community doubled as a result of the program. See Solarize Mass Results for information and up-to-date results. To learn more about the current Solarize Mass program, go to the Solarize Mass main page.
Solarize Mass Results
Solarize Mass Community Marketing Proposals
Solarize Mass community marketing proposals from 2012 through 2020 are provided below to assist communities and other interested parties in considering different strategies for implementing a Solarize or similar cleam energy adoption campaign. Developing a marketing proposal prior to the launch of a clean energy adoption campaign can provide a useful roadmap for communities, and may benefit program results.