Renewable Energy Solutions for Greener Communities

MTC's Renewable Energy Trust has an array of programs that address energy use at public facilities, as well as a program that helps communities* explore the possibility of installing wind turbines on public land.

North Coast Seafoods received a Trust award for their 125-kilowatt solar array.

Commonwealth Solar
This new initiative provides rebates to public buildings on a first-come first-served basis for design & construction of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy projects that are up to 500 kilowatts in size. Follow the step-by-step instruction at this link to find out how to receive a rebate.

New!: Commonwealth Wind
The Commonwealth Wind Incentive Program provides rebate, grant, and loan funding for the installation of wind projects in Massachusetts. Funding is available for residential, commercial, industrial, and public facilities that are customers of investor-owned electric distribution utilities or Municipal Light Plant Departments that pay into the Renewable Energy Trust. There are three initiatives within this program: 1) Micro Wind, 2) Community-Scale Wind, and 3) Commercial Wind (coming soon).

Large Onsite Renewables Initiative
This initiative provides grant funding, through a competitive process, to assist with feasibility studies and design and construction of renewable energy projects, including wind energy, hydroelectric, and biomass energy. Projects must have an installed capacity of greater than 10 kilowatts and consume more than 25% of the renewable energy generated by the project onsite. Grant levels vary based on the characteristics of each project.

Clean Energy Choice^®
MTC's Clean Energy Choice^® program allows consumers to purchase electricity from renewable sources, which, in turn, generates matching grants for their communities. Your town or city can receive up to one dollar in funding for each dollar residents spend on clean energy. This money can be used to fund clean energy projects. Towns can use Clean Energy Choice matching grants in combination with rebates from the Small Renewables Initiative (see above) for renewable energy projects. It pays to encourage residents to choose clean energy. Learn about matching grants.

Dedham Middle School is a green school that received funding from the Renewable Energy Trust.

Green Schools Initiative
This initiative provides school districts in Massachusetts with the information and resources necessary to help them design and build high-performance green schools. Eligible schools achieving a high-performance design can also apply for a grant to install a solar electric (PV) or wind electric system at the school.

Predevelopment Financing Initiative
Public entities wishing to explore large (greater than 250 kW), grid-connected renewable energy systems may be eligible for grants to support feasibility studies through this initiative.

**Eligible communities must be served by investor-owned utilities or be towns served by municipal light plants that have elected to join the Renewable Energy Trust.