Solarize Somerville is a go!

[mem_winterhill]

Hello neighbors--

On this cold winter day, I'm delighted to share the sunny news that Somerville MA has been chosen by the MassCEC (Clean Energy Center) to be a Solarize Mass community! You can see the announcement here:
http://www.masscec.com/about-masscec/news/state-energy-officials-announce-five-new-communities-participate-solar-program

State

Comments

[mem_winterhill]

And then I got my first electric bill, right after I posted. Here's my new usage: http://screencast.com/t/x4KiIg0LwA

And I have a credit. Not bad for short winter days. I think I'm going to like this solar stuff.

[lyonesse]

ok, so i'm an interested somerville homeowner. what do i do next?

[mem_winterhill]

Terrific, lyonesse!

We are still in the process of setting up a city web page, and notification lists, and all those things. We still also have to get trained by MassCEC in the processes.

So I will post here when I have more details about any of the places to get information, and when we set up a mailing list or have events where you can talk with us. If you want to shoot me an email to the SomervilleSolarCoach@gmail.com I can also start a folder of folks who are interested and be sure to ping you when there's more news.

[noire]

I would also like to be in that folder, as another Somerville homeowner very interested in going solar.

[pekmez]

I've already signed a contract to install solar and will have workers on my roof within the next few weeks. Will the solarize incentive coming to Somerville affect me at all?

[mem_winterhill]

'Fraid not. I'm in the same situation. A year ago when Somerville first asked if people were interested, I had replied that I was. But then when I didn't hear any more, I went ahead and got 'em anyway.

Mine are a done deal. I won't benefit from this program on the costs.

That said, I do think that we as power producers will benefit from having more neighbors involved with this. That way we'll have a community of folks to talk with, or to work with if any relevant legislation ever comes our way. I think it's also good for us to support our local solar industry if we do need services in the future too.

[somerfriend]

I wouldn't worry about it, solarize vendors are often but not always less than non solarize program vendors for a particular house. And there are other factors, and the fact that you will have an additional year of incentives (some of which you might not get later) and electricity generation.

[pekmez]

Ah, I'm not worried, and made my decision without these incentives being live -- but I was still curious whether there's anything involved that might affect the stage of the project I'm in - if there were rebates specific to the Solarize program it might not be too late to apply for them, for instance. :)

[nathanw]

What sort of solar arrangements are available through Solarize Mass? Outright purchase of PV systems? PPA/lease arrangements? Group buying makes me think the former, but it was PPA that got me to get PV installed myself.

[mem_winterhill]

My understanding is that we will explore all options for Somerville. I can imagine that there are advantages for the different scenarios in different homeowner/biz/condo situations.

For example, here's what Needham had: http://solarizeneedham.org/faq/#Q16
There will be two options for participating in Solarize Needham - you can purchase and therefore own the system or enter into a lease or Power Purchase Agreement. There will be five tiers of pricing, with the savings increasing for everyone as more contracts are signed.

[Note: the Needham project is just an example, some details on things like incentives have changed since theirs.]

Thanks for sharing your experience. That helps me to know about what people might want.