About Solarize

Solarize Updates

• Patrick-Murray Administration Announces Solar Program Benefiting 17 Massachusetts Communities 
• MassCEC Launches Solarize Massachusetts Program to Spur Solar Development
• MassCEC's Solarize Mass Pilot Helps 162 Residents and Businesses Install Solar Energy

Program Description

As part of a statewide effort to reach Governor Deval Patrick's goal of 250 megawatts (MW) of solar PV installed by 2017, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center launched the Solarize Massachusetts Pilot in the Spring of 2011. Solarize Mass deployed a grassroots, volunteer-driven effort that is bringing solar power to 162 Massachusetts homes at discounted rates. By utilizing grassroots organizing, civic engagement, bulk purchasing, and educational outreach, the towns of Harvard, Hatfield, Scituate and Winchester helped their communities contract to install a total of 829 kW of solar energy. The solar capacity installed through the Solarize Mass Pilot will save 651 metric tons of CO2 annually. During their lifetimes, these PV systems will save over 13,000 metric tons of CO2, equivalent to the emissions of more than 2,500 cars.  More information, including a comprehensive overview of the pilot, can be found on MassCEC's Solarize Mass Pilot page.

In February, 2012, MassCEC announced the 2012 Solarize Massachusetts program. Cities and towns designated as Green Communities were invited to submit proposals for their participation in the program, including plans for a grassroots outreach and public education campaign. In April, MassCEC issued a Request for Proposals to solar PV installers for participation in Solarize Mass. As a component of their proposal, installers must include a tiered pricing structure, whereby the installed cost of solar PV for all home or business owners investing in solar PV through the program declines as the amount of contracted capacity in each town increases. This is a key feature of the Solarize Mass model, ensuring that cost savings achieved through scale are passed on to the customer, and provide an incentive for residents and business owners to encourage their neighbors to consider solar PV.

On April 12, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard K. Sullivan will announce the municipalities selected for participation in the program. Public 'Solar 101' events will be scheduled in each selected community, and contracting for solar PV in the program will run through September 30 of this year. The final cost paid by program participants will be determined by whatever tier is reached in each Solarize community (or communities participating as a group) at that date.

Program Timeline

The following are major milestones for the 2012 Solarize Massachusetts Program.  For specific information about events in your community, visit your community's Solarize page by selecting it from the "Solarize Communities" menu, above.

2012 Solarize Massachusetts Program Solicitations

• Technical Consultant RFP
• Installer RFP
• Green Communities RFP

How can I participate in Solarize Massachusetts?

To participate in Solarize Massachusetts, find your community in the Solarize Communities menu at the top of this page.  If your community is not listed, visit www.masscec.com/solar for information about other solar PV incentives in Massachusetts.

Sign up for email updates

Use the following form to sign up for email updates from MassCEC regarding Solarize Massachusetts.  Please be advised your contact information may be shared with the Community Solar Coach and Solarize Mass Installer for your community.