Solarize Mass Plus Offers Solar Incentives to North Adams, Williamstown Residents

The Berkshire Eagle  reports  North Adams and Williamstown have been selected to participate in the 2019 Solarize Mass Plus program to promote the adoption of clean energy technologies, which this year will allow the inclusion of solar hot water heaters and battery storage for power generated by photovoltaic panels.

A partnership between the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, the Department of Energy Resources and local communities, Solarize Mass Plus reduces the overall cost of solar in municipalities across the state, helping residents save as much as 21 percent on average on solar pricing compared to the statewide average.

The selections were announced Monday by the Baker administration.

The Solarize Mass Plus program aims to increase the adoption of small-scale solar electricity systems and additional clean energy technologies such as battery storage, air source heat pumps, solar hot water, or electric vehicles through a grassroots educational campaign. It is driven mainly by local volunteers and reduced pricing that increases the savings for participants as more units are sold.

According to Nancy Nylen, renewable energy advocate and local volunteer with the program, said that in 2013, a precursor called Solarize Mass wound up motivating 80 Williamstown property owners to install solar panels at their homes.