Not All PV Installers are Created Equal

With the growing adoption of solar technology in Massachusetts and other states around the country, more and more PV installers have entered the marketplace.  Between large national solar companies, smaller regional installers, or construction companies with some solar expertise, there are many different options to choose from.  You’re not always going to be comparing apples [...]

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Zero Down Solar Available for Your Home

There’s no question that solar is the right decision socially, environmentally, and financially, but most would say it is not accessible to the larger population because of the huge investment required.   There aren’t many people who have this type of cash on hand and, even if they do, they may want to use it for [...]

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Commonwealth Solar Rebate Changes for 2012

January 20, 2012

Massachusetts announced changes to the Commonwealth Solar Rebate program going forward.  Specifically, these changes will go in effect for Block 9 and 10 of the program for the first half of 2012. MAJOR CHANGES: – More Funding = More Rebates for Solar Projects The next two installments of the program will each have a $1.5 [...]

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2011 Massachusetts Solar Tax Planning Strategies

January 16, 2012

Residents who have installed a solar electric, or photovoltaic, installation in Massachusetts in 2011 should begin effectively planning for their federal and state tax returns.  As an installer, our job doesn’t end once we complete construction.  We like to be a trusted resource for our customers and make sure that they have a great experience [...]

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Solar Financing for Massachusetts Residents

January 13, 2012

If you live in Massachusetts and are in interested in powering your home with solar energy, you are in luck.  With all the generous incentives available through Massachusetts and the federal government, it has never been a better time to make the investment.  However, solar typically requires a large upfront cash outlay; money most people [...]

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America’s Most Photographed Solar Home?

January 12, 2012

I’m sure you recognize the very famous Hollywood sign, but most people forget about the home next to the sign that sneaks in to almost every photograph.  What is that on the roof?  Yes, they are solar photovoltaic panels you see, and people are seeing them on more of their favorite places to visit.  Even the [...]

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Enphase Road Show Arrives in Boston

May 26, 2011

We had the pleasure of attending the Enphase Energy Road Show at Babson College in Wellesley, MA yesterday.  Enphase had exciting news to deliver with the announcement of their next generation M215 microinverters which allow for greater flexibility, better performance, and a faster installation – what’s not to like!  The new M215’s will start shipping in June, [...]

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Hudson Light Offers Solar PV Rebate

May 23, 2011

In late March, Hudson Light & Power Department announced a rebate for residential, commercial, and municipal customers who install a grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) system.  The Hudson Light service territory includes both Hudson, MA and Stow, MA.  Coupled with the other generous incentives offered by the state of Massachusetts and the federal government, the HLPD rebate [...]

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The Importance of a NABCEP Certified PV Installer

May 19, 2011

Although regional and state incentive programs may have varying Ievels of licensing and technical requirements to perform photovoltaic (PV) solar work, there is one voluntary certification program that provides a national standard of excellence for industry professionals.  The certification has come to be known as the most meaningful credential a solar energy professional can achieve.  [...]

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Recent Updates to Massachusetts Solar Power Incentives

May 18, 2011

It’s been awhile since we’ve had a chance to update our Bay State customers about local incentives.  Massachusetts remains one of the top places in the country to make a solar power investment.  The reason the state ranks high is its strong political support for PV incentives and favorable net metering and interconnection regulations.  Here [...]

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Earth Day Tips for Massachusetts Homeowners

April 22, 2011

Today marks the 41st anniversary for Earth Day.  It’s hard to believe the holiday has been in existence for four decades and we still haven’t figured out this sustainability thing! Most people thing that the problem is bigger than them, but if we all did our small part, we would be well on our way.  [...]

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Massachusetts Solar Rebate Shuts Down Block 5

April 5, 2011

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) will no longer be accepting applications for Block 5 of the Commonwealth Solar II (CSII) program.  The CSII program provides rebates for residential and small commercial photovoltaic solar installations in Massachusetts and is expected to continue for the rest of the calendar year.  With the introduction of Solar Renewable [...]

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US Solar Installed Capacity Sees Fastest Growth in 2010

March 22, 2011

Solar energy adoption was red hot in the United States last year.  In fact, solar saw the highest growth of any energy sector in the country.   According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)’s 2010 Year in Review, grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) installations saw a banner year with installations growing 878 MW even with through the [...]

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Mass Solar Rebate Updated for Evergreen

March 15, 2011

We had relayed the disappointing news of Evergreen Solar shutting down its Devens manufacturing facility a couple months ago.  While the company continues to operate its headquarters in Marlborough, MA and its high temperature filament plant in Michigan, Evergreen decided to close the Devens plant and accelerate production in China. The determination was made in [...]

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Massachusetts Solar Companies Get $12.6M in Funding

March 11, 2011

Three solar companies in Massachusetts were awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative to be used toward research and innovation.   The SunShot Initiative is the national effort to reduce the cost of utility scale solar installations by 75% in the next decade.  The DOE plans to reach this goal by providing grants [...]

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PowerSaver Loan Offers New Way to Finance Solar

March 1, 2011

Last November, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) introduced the PowerSaver Loan which provides low-cost loans for energy retrofits of single family homes.  The two-year pilot program will provide borrowers with  up to $25,000 for certain energy improvements, including solar panels, insulation, duct sealing, doors and windows, HVAC systems, water heaters, and geothermal systems.  The program [...]

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Homeowners Want PACE Financing

February 28, 2011

In a report released by Pike Research, 75% of Americans surveyed said they are interested in Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing programs.  PACE is a financing arrangement run by a municipality where energy retrofits are paid through an annual special tax on the homeowner’s property tax bill, typically repaid over 15 or 20 years. [...]

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Solar Carports Grow in Popularity

February 23, 2011

In the 2011 State of the Union, President Barack Obama said he envisioned the United States as the first nation to have one million electric cars on the road by 2015.  With two electric cars introduced to the market late last year in limited supply, the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt, statisticians are skeptical [...]

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Keeping Your Solar Panels Safe

February 22, 2011

When you make an investment in solar panels, most people assume that they will generate power for the next 20 to 30 years.  In recent years, reports of solar panel theft are becoming common in communities in California and Colorado, although still rare in most parts of the country.  To many, safeguarding their solar investment [...]

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Connecticut SRECs Back on the Table

February 16, 2011

Many solar installers in Connecticut forecasted growth in the industry was hinging on the approval of an energy bill that was introduced last year.   After being passed by large margins in the House and Senate, the legislation was eventually vetoed by Governor Jodi Rell, citing that the bill was introduced so late in the [...]

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