Newsclip
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| By John J. Monahan TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF |
Monday, January 28, 2008
BOSTON— Commonwealth Solar, the Patrick administration’s new program to provide cash rebates to cut the cost to homeowners and businesses for installation of rooftop solar electric panels, has opened for business.
The program, which also provides cost savings for use of solar power equipment manufactured in Massachusetts, was launched last week with the startup of a Web site set up by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust to help consumers and businesses learn how the program works and apply for rebates.
The Web site, www.commonwealthsolar.org, provides a step-by-step guide on solar installations and the process of arranging contractors and installations as well as the value of available rebates. It explains eligibility, estimates of rebates for specific installations and how to select a contractor.
State Secretary of Energy and Environment Ian A. Bowles said the program is “good news for the economy and the environment.”
“Solar energy is a key component of the clean energy economy we are developing here in Massachusetts, and a rebate is the most efficient, cost-effective way we can make solar power more affordable. Now is the time for businesses and homeowners to find out what Commonwealth Solar has to offer,” he said.
Mitch Adams, executive director of the technology collaborative administering the program for the state, said it should open the door for widespread solar installations around the state and help more businesses and homeowners as well as cities and towns expand the use of solar power. “It builds on our strong commitment to solar, which has already led to more than 700 installations across the state” from previous initiatives, he said.
Plans for the program were announced last month, and it is expected to result in the installation of more than 27 megawatts of solar power capacity over the next four years.
Mr. Bowles’ agency oversaw the development of the program as part of Gov. Deval L. Patrick’s commitment to increasing installed solar power in the state. The governor has committed to boosting installations from the current 4 megawatts to 250 megawatts by 2017.
That plan was developed last year in connection with Marlboro-based Evergreen Solar Inc.’s commitment to locate its first large-scale U.S. solar panel manufacturing facility in Massachusetts.
State energy officials said the rebate plan provides cash back to homeowners, businesses, nonprofit agencies and municipalities that defray substantial amounts of the initial costs of buying and installing solar panels, and shortens the payback period of solar panels, after which the panels produce electricity that is essentially free.
Those who install solar panels using the program over the next four years will be eligible for rebates averaging $2 per watt at the start, off the estimated cost of about $8 per watt for commercial installations and $9 per watt for residential installations.
Those who use solar panels manufactured in Massachusetts will get even higher rebates, which vary depending on the size of the installation.
Residential installations will be eligible for rebates on installation of solar systems up to 5 kilowatts, with higher rebates for low-income households and for installing solar products made in Massachusetts. The program also will provide up to $2 million annually for the first two years of the program for installation of solar panels on school buildings.
A total of $68 million will be available for rebates over the next four years.
The program, which also provides cost savings for use of solar power equipment manufactured in Massachusetts, was launched last week with the startup of a Web site set up by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust to help consumers and businesses learn how the program works and apply for rebates.
The Web site, www.commonwealthsolar.org, provides a step-by-step guide on solar installations and the process of arranging contractors and installations as well as the value of available rebates. It explains eligibility, estimates of rebates for specific installations and how to select a contractor.
State Secretary of Energy and Environment Ian A. Bowles said the program is “good news for the economy and the environment.”
“Solar energy is a key component of the clean energy economy we are developing here in Massachusetts, and a rebate is the most efficient, cost-effective way we can make solar power more affordable. Now is the time for businesses and homeowners to find out what Commonwealth Solar has to offer,” he said.
Mitch Adams, executive director of the technology collaborative administering the program for the state, said it should open the door for widespread solar installations around the state and help more businesses and homeowners as well as cities and towns expand the use of solar power. “It builds on our strong commitment to solar, which has already led to more than 700 installations across the state” from previous initiatives, he said.
Plans for the program were announced last month, and it is expected to result in the installation of more than 27 megawatts of solar power capacity over the next four years.
Mr. Bowles’ agency oversaw the development of the program as part of Gov. Deval L. Patrick’s commitment to increasing installed solar power in the state. The governor has committed to boosting installations from the current 4 megawatts to 250 megawatts by 2017.
That plan was developed last year in connection with Marlboro-based Evergreen Solar Inc.’s commitment to locate its first large-scale U.S. solar panel manufacturing facility in Massachusetts.
State energy officials said the rebate plan provides cash back to homeowners, businesses, nonprofit agencies and municipalities that defray substantial amounts of the initial costs of buying and installing solar panels, and shortens the payback period of solar panels, after which the panels produce electricity that is essentially free.
Those who install solar panels using the program over the next four years will be eligible for rebates averaging $2 per watt at the start, off the estimated cost of about $8 per watt for commercial installations and $9 per watt for residential installations.
Those who use solar panels manufactured in Massachusetts will get even higher rebates, which vary depending on the size of the installation.
Residential installations will be eligible for rebates on installation of solar systems up to 5 kilowatts, with higher rebates for low-income households and for installing solar products made in Massachusetts. The program also will provide up to $2 million annually for the first two years of the program for installation of solar panels on school buildings.
A total of $68 million will be available for rebates over the next four years.