2019 Solarize Mass Program

The 2019 Solarize Mass and Solarize Mass Plus programs are currently accepting community applications. See the "How Do I Apply?" tab for more details.

2018 Solarize Mass Program

The following communities are currently participating: Lowell as a part of the Solarize Mass Plus Program opting for solar PV plus air source heat pumps and the partnership of the Springfield-Longmeadow as part of the Solarize Mass Program.

If you live in one of these communities, you can contact the respective community volunteer team via the below contact information:

Solarize Mass Plus Lowell

Solarize Mass Plus Lowell Website

Solar Coach email: solarizelowell@gmail.com 

Technologies: Solar PV and Air Source Heat Pumps

Solarize Mass Springfield-Longmeadow

Solarize Mass Springfield-Longmeadow Website

Solar Coach emails:

Longmeadow - solarizelongmeadow@gmail.com

Springfield - solarizespringfield@gmail.com

2017 Solarize Mass Program & Earlier

All communities who participated in the 2017 Solarize Mass Program have completed their campaigns.

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

For contact information:

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

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.

Now in its ninth 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 18,000 individuals expressing interest in pursuing solar electricity and other clean energy technology systems. To date, over 3,400 residents and business owners in 69 communities signed contracts resulting in over 22.95 megawatts of contracted capacity. The Solarize Mass Plus Pilot resulted in the contracting of an additional 37 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. Starting in 2016 the Solarize Mass program began accepting community applications on a rolling basis; this method continues with the 2019 Solarize Mass Program. 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
• 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 2018 are provided below to assist communities and other interested parties in considering different strategies for implementing a Solarize or similar solar adoption campaign. Developing a marketing proposal prior to the launch of a solar adoption campaign can provide a useful roadmap for communities, and may benefit program results.