Community Solar-Powered Lighting Program

OVERVIEW

A solar powered lighting system installed at the Herbert School in Pittsfield was made possible through a Trust grant and labor costs provided by the IBEW.

The Renewable Energy Trust and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) have combined their resources to offer a special program to the cities and towns of the Commonwealth. This program provides a free solar-powered lighting system for illuminating a monument, flagpole, or small sitting area.

This use of solar lighting not only provides visual appeal to a previously unlit space, it also introduces the community to clean, renewable solar electricity. In addition, the program helps SolarOne, a Massachusetts business that designs and develops these systems, grow its operations in the Commonwealth. A grant from the Renewable Energy Trust, administered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, pays for the purchase of the solar panels, accompanying lighting fixtures, So-Bright™ intelligent control technology, and battery. The labor to install the units is provided by members of the local IBEW. A decal identifying the grantee and IBEW will be affixed to the system. The SolarOne system includes an extended four-year performance warranty after the basic warranty period of one year expires.

Systems will be awarded to the first 20 cities or towns that fulfill the requirements listed below. The municipality must be a customer of a Massachusetts investor-owned electric distribution utility. The Trust will make the awards and notify the selected cities and towns within 60 days of receiving their applications. Applications must be received before September 30, 2008.

The locations eligible for the program are:

  • A flagpole no higher than 40´
  • A monument no larger than 8’ high x 15´wide
  • Small sitting area

The location requirements are:

  • Location must be on municipally owned property
  • Location must currently be unlit
  • Location must have un-shaded directional south-southwest reception to full sunlight for a minimum of 3 hours
  • Location must be visible to minimize potential for vandalism

The municipality must provide:

  • A completed application signed by either the Mayor, City or Town Manager, or Chairperson of the Board of Selectmen or Aldermen (See attached Application Form)
  • A detailed site plan of the proposed area. Please identify the object on the site plan and a proposed area for the installation of the system. Also indicate the type of surface on which the system will be installed
  • Installation accessibility to the site
  • A photograph of the site and the object. Indicate the approximate size of the object or sitting area to be lit
  • The name, telephone number, and email address of a contact person for the community must be included in the application
  • Assistance from the local DPW in digging the necessary shallow trench for the wiring
  • Waiver of Electrical Permit Fee

DOCUMENTS

Application

SolarOne PowerPoint with specifications for lighting

Please send application to:

Mr. Frank L. Romano
Assistant to the Deputy Executive Director
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
75 North Drive
Westborough, MA 01581
Phone: 617-371-3999 x 205