Mayor Menino has announced that the deadline to sign up with Solarize Mass-Boston has been extended to October 31. High demand for the solar bulk purchasing program, has already earned Boston residents and businesses the lowest cost available under the Solarize program, a partnership between the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources.
“I encourage everyone to join the clean energy revolution in Boston,” Mayor Menino said. “Solar power is more affordable than ever for City residents. We are well on our way to meeting the 2015 goal of 25 megawatts of solar energy in Boston, with solar being installed at residences, businesses, and municipal buildings at an increasing rate.”
Fifty-two households have signed contracts or had solar panels installed through the Solarize Mass-Boston program, including Mayor Menino’s home in Hyde Park, for a total capacity of 225 kW in Boston.
Long time Mission Hill resident Loie Hayes worked with her small condo association to have solar installed at her residence. The Hayes family will benefit from a 4 kW system, through a full “pre-pay” of $4,500. She’s expected to save $70/month over the next 20 years.
“Through the Solarize program, my family will see our electric costs cut in third and we’ll be contributing less to air pollution,” Hayes said. “As somebody who cares about climate change, I wanted to go solar for a long time, and now we can finally do it. Not only can we afford it, it will also save us money to help put my daughter through college.”
Francisco Urena, Commissioner for Veteran’s Affairs for the City of Boston, has also joined the ranks of City officials taking advantage of the solar program in an effort to raise awareness among constituents. Urena recently had solar panels installed on his home in East Boston.
“Growing up, I always had an interest in solar panels and energy efficiency,” Commissioner Urena said. “I’m very excited to have the opportunity to be self-sufficient in terms of energy consumption, efficiency and production, and to set an example for my neighbors in East Boston.”
Originally scheduled to end September 30, the program is designed to increase adoption and reduce the cost of solar energy, offering residents and businesses long-term, discounted solar pricing lower than traditional sources of fossil fuel-based energy generation, which are also costly to the environment and public health.
Solarize Mass-Boston will hold free Neighborhood Solar workshops in October in Brighton and South Boston. Interested home owners can get information and sign up for a free consultation from SolarCity at www.RenewBoston.org/Solar or call 855-335-SOLAR. While some homeowners and businesses may not be able to install solar energy, Renew Boston offers extensive energy efficiency services to reduce energy costs. More information is available at www.RenewBoston.org.
Upcoming Neighborhood Solar Workshops:
Brighton – Saturday, October 13, 2012 – 10:00am to 12:00pm
The Veronica B. Smith Multi-service Senior Center, 40 Academy Hill Road, Brighton, MA
South Boston – Monday, October 15, 2012 – 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Boston Public Library, 646 East Broadway Street, South Boston, MA
More Neighborhood Solar Workshops are being scheduled in your neighborhood; please visit http://www.RenewBoston.org/solar or http://www.SolarizeMass.com for upcoming events.
You must log in to post a comment.