Winchester is Leader in Solar Energy

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) announced that 23 Winchester residents or businesses have contracted with Alteris Renewables to install solar photovoltaic (PV) through MassCEC’s .The projects will install 110 kW of solar in Winchester, allowing residents and business owners to install solar at a further discounted rates through Solarize Mass. 

“Congratulations to the town of Winchester for surpassing this milestone, ensuring the community lower price points on solar power that will likely spur even greater adoption of solar power,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC board.

Winchester is one of four Massachusetts communities to be chosen to participate in a pilot program called “Solarize Massachusetts.” The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) has created this program to reduce some of the barriers to installing solar panels on homes and small businesses, such as high upfront costs, unclear incentives and rebates, and a confusing array of providers. 

"Winchester, designated a Green Community by the Department of Energy Resources, has demonstrated once again what can happen when a community comes together at the grassroots level to achieve its clean energy goals.  As soon as they were selected to participate, the Winchester municipal team and Cool Winchester hit the ground running with outreach to their residents on the Solarize Mass program. They are a true example of how we are going to create a cleaner energy future for Massachusetts – community by community," said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia.

Each community goes through one solar provider, so the more people that sign up, the better the price.

“Helping Winchester’s residents and businesses take advantage of cost saving and carbon reducing energy alternatives is very important to the Town.  It is terrific that so many residents have decided to install solar as part of this great cost saving program,” said Selectman Tom Howley. “We really appreciate the work being done by Solarize Massachusetts, Sustainable Winchester and others to make sure this program is available to as many people as possible.”

“It has been great to see the enthusiastic response from Winchester residents and businesses who are seizing the opportunity to install solar PV panels that will reduce their electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions,” said State Rep. Jason Lewis.

For more information on Solarize Mass visit: www.MassCEC.com/solarizemass.