The deadline for cities and towns to apply to the 2020 Solarize Mass Program closed on November 22, 2019.  The next round of Solarize Mass is tentatively scheduled to accept applications in early 2020. Check back for information!

Communities interested in participating in Solarize Mass must be serviced by a utility that pays into the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust. 

Individuals interested in participating in the program must reside or own property located in a community that is running an active Solarize Mass campaign.

2019 Solarize Mass Program

The following communities are currently participating in the 2019 round:

Solarize Mass Belchertown:

• Promoting solar PV
• Solarize Belchertown Website
• Contact email: solarizebelchertown@belchertown.org
• Belchertown's chosen installer is Northeast Solar.

Solarize Mass Plus Needham:

• Promoting solar PV, air source heat pumps, and electric vehicles
• Solarize Needham Website
• Contact email: solarcoach@greenneedham.org
• Needham's chosen installers are Boston Solar and N.E.T.R. Inc.

Solarize Mass Plus Salem-Swampscott-Nahant:

• Promoting solar PV, air source heat pumps, and solar hot water
• Solarize NorthShore Website
• Contact email: info@solarizenorthshore.org
• Salem-Swampscott-Nahant's chosen installers are Boston Solar, New England Ductless (N.E.D.), and New England Solar Hot Water (N.E.S.H.W.).

Solarize Mass Plus Williamstown-North Adams:

• Promoting solar PV, battery electrical storage, and solar hot water
• Solarize Williamstown-North Adams Website
• Contact emails: SolarizeNorthAdams@gmail.com; SolarizePlus@Williamstownma.gov
• Williamstown-North Adams' chosen installer is SolarFlair.

If you live in one of these communities, you can contact the respective community volunteer team via the contact information listed under their campaign information.

2018 Solarize Mass Completed Programs & Earlier Rounds

Several communities who participated in the 2018 Solarize Mass Program have now completed their campaigns.

For final results for all communities: See Solarize Mass Program Results page for final information on all campaigns.

For contact information:

For individual community contact information, email solarize@masscec.com. 

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 participating communities opted for solar PV plus solar hot water and solar PV plus air source heat pumps. 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 to competitively selecting a vendor for the Plus technology or technologies.

Since Solarize Mass launched in 2011, the program has resulted in more than 19,000 individuals expressing interest in pursuing solar electricity and other clean energy technology systems. To date, over 3,500 residents and business owners in 69 communities signed contracts resulting in over 23.55 megawatts of contracted capacity. The Solarize Mass Plus program has resulted in the contracting of an additional 43 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 Program Results
• Solarize Mass Pilot Overview
• Solarize Mass 2012 Program Update

Solarize Mass Resources Toolkit

The below resources provide more information about developing and implementing a Solarize Mass, Solarize Mass Plus, or similar program such as solarize-like or HeatSmart campaign.

• Solarize Mass Community Best Practices Timeline
• The Solarize Guidebook: A community guide to collective purchasing of residential PV systems
• Planning and Implementing a Solarize Initiative, A Guide for State Program Managers
• Recommendations for Permitting and Structural Review
• Solarize Mass One-Page Handout
  • Interested communities and partners can download, print and distribute this handout to prepare to apply to either program
• Solarize Mass Plus Solar Hot Water 101
• Solarize Mass Plus Air Source Heat Pump 101
• Electric Vehicle (EV) 101
• Template Collaborator Commitment Letter
• Template Community Interest Survey
• Valuable resources from other State entities:
  • NYSERDA Solarize Guidebook (Source: NY-SUN)

Solarize Mass Community Marketing Proposals

Solarize Mass community marketing proposals from 2012 through 2019 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.