WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 27, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Thomas M. Menino today announced the launch of Renew Boston Solarize, a three-month campaign to make solar panels more affordable and accessible for Boston homeowners and small businesses. Mayor Menino, who had solar panels installed on his home in Hyde Park last year, has set a goal of 150 new residential-scale solar power installations in Boston, representing a 50 percent increase from last year’s campaign.
“Last year I joined the clean energy revolution, and I hope to have even more Bostonians join me in this year’s campaign,” Mayor Menino said. “Residents and businesses can lock in lower energy costs, create new clean energy jobs right here in Boston and help us continue to ‘greenovate’ our city.”
Renew Boston Solarize is a group buying program designed to increase the adoption of solar energy and to reduce its cost by offering residents and businesses discounted pricing for solar panels. The more people sign up, the more prices drop. The campaign is similar to Boston’s participation last year in Solarize Mass – Boston, through which more than 100 Boston residents, including Mayor Menino, installed solar panels on their homes.
The campaign also supports the Mayor’s Greenovate Boston sustainability initiative, which strives to engage residents and businesses to help reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.
“Giving residents this opportunity to go solar is part of the City’s ongoing work to support Bostonians in their efforts to save money on energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Brian Swett, Chief of Environment and Energy. “Renew Boston Solarize makes solar power more accessible than ever for city residents.”
This program is based on the Solarize program model developed and implemented in cities and towns across Massachusetts by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources.
The City of Boston has chosen Next Step Living™, New England’s leading whole-home energy solutions company, as the installer. Next Step Living™, in partnership with the Boston Solar Company, will simplify the process of going solar for customers, customize the design of the system, install solar panels, provide monitoring and handle any repairs or maintenance if required.
“We’re proud of our long relationship with Mayor Menino and the City of Boston and are excited about this new program to help Boston residents go solar,” said Geoff Chapin, Founder and CEO of Next Step Living™. “Renew Boston Solarize is an important step for homeowners who want clean energy and more energy efficiency.”
Renew Boston Solarize will hold free Solar 201 workshops in neighborhoods across the city starting in September. Visit Solar.RenewBoston.org or call 617-532-5999 to see if your home is a good candidate for solar.
About Greenovate Boston
Greenovate Boston is a collective movement to ensure a greener, healthier and more prosperous future for the city by meeting Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. Propelled by creativity and drive, Greenovate Boston will encourage continued sustainable growth within the city, making Boston the greenest in the United States. Visit http://greenovateboston.org for details.
Contact:
Mayor’s Press Office
Press.Office (at) cityofboston (dot) gov
