Clean Energy Choice and Commonwealth Solar

Cities and towns that earn matching grants through the Clean Energy Choice^® (CEC) program can use this money to apply for additional MTC funds. Towns may apply for rebates to support renewable energy projects through the Commonwealth Solar program.

This page is only an overview of the CEC and Commonwealth Solar programs. For full information and requirements, please visit the program websites.

Clean Energy Choice
www.CleanEnergyChoice.org
CEC funds are earned by cities and towns when residents opt to pay a small premium to support renewable energy. These funds can be used to purchase items related to renewable energy. If a city or town chooses to use the funds to purchase and install solar panels, that community can also apply for a rebate through Commonwealth Solar.

Commonwealth Solar
www.masstech.org/solar
The Commonwealth Solar program provides rebates for the installation of solar electric photovoltaic projects (PV projects) in Massachusetts. Rebates are available to residential, commercial, industrial, and public facilities connected to the grid that uses at least 50 percent of the electricity onsite. Residential projects can have a capacity of up to 5kW and rebates range between 20-60 percent the total cost of the project. Non-residential projects can have a capacity of up to 500 kW and can see rebates upwards of 40 percent. For more information about the Commonwealth Solar program, including a financial calculator to help you estimate your level of rebate, visit the Commonwealth Solar site.

How towns can use CEC and Commonwealth Solar to help fund a renewable energy installation
Before you begin, visit the program websites and familiarize yourself with both programs:
Commonwealth Solar
Clean Energy Choice

1. Make sure your town or city is eligible. Only towns served by investor-owned utilities (NSTAR, National Grid, Western Massachusetts Electric, and Unitil) are eligible for either CEC or Commonwealth Solar . If your town is eligible, you can find out what amount of CEC matching grants you have available here.
   
   
2. Examine your potential site. Working with a contractor or installer, the site manager should determine if their location and energy usage is suitable for a renewable energy system, and then assess the cost and savings associated with the project. Applicants are responsible for selecting their own installers and/or contractors. MTC does not have a list of pre-approved or preferred vendors or contractors, but provides links to lists maintained by other sources on the Commonwealth Solar site.
   
   Be sure to address the following issues:
   
   
1. The site must consume 50% of the electricity it produces.
2. The city or town must have enough funds (including CEC funds) to pay for the installation. The Commonwealth Solar program provides a refund, not up-front grants.
   
   
3. Apply for CEC matching funds. If you decide to apply for CEC funds, the Mayor or a Selectman of the city or town must submit a cover letter, an invoice or cost estimate, and the MTC grant agreement to the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (see the grant application for further information). MTC will process the request and send a check within 45 days. This CEC grant money can be used by the city or town to leverage other funds to pay for the installation.
   
   
4. Apply for Commonwealth Solar funds. First visit the Commonwealth Solar site for detailed instructions on the application process. With the support of a contractor, the prospective applicant must complete, sign, and submit the application to MTC. You must have a contractor at this stage. Many contractors will substantially help the applicant with the application form. Successful applicants will receive an award letter and must sign a Participants Agreement before proceeding with the installation.
    
5. Complete the Project.
   
   
6. Submit Commonwealth Solar Project Completion Form. Once this is completed with all the required back-up documents (go to theCommonwealth Solar site for full information), the town or city will receive its rebate amount.
   
   
7. Submit CEC report. By the end of the first year of operation, the city or town should submit an Annual Report for CEC detailing outcomes, accomplishments, challenges, and action items associated with the project.