Mass. programs to promote solar energy

BOSTON – Gov. Deval L. Patrick’s administration last week unveiled new rebate programs looking to help companies and Bay State residents meet Patrick’s goal of 250 MW of solar energy installed by 2017.
Beginning in late January, the new programs – Commonwealth Solar II and Commonwealth Solar Stimulus – will begin accepting rebate applications from residents and businesses seeking help financing their solar photovoltaic systems.
Funding for Commonwealth Solar II, providing rebates for small residential and commercial photovoltaic systems (5 kilowatts or less), will come from $1 million per quarter in existing funds from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust.
The state also plans to tap $8 million in State Energy Program funding awarded to the Mass. Department of Energy Resources under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for Commonwealth Solar Stimulus, which will assist photovoltaic systems larger than 5 kilowatts (kW), up to 200 kW.
Patrick said in a statement that between January 2008 and December 2009, the initial Commonwealth Solar program awarded approximately 1,270 rebates for residential, commercial and municipal projects capable of powering nearly 3,200 homes in Massachusetts annually. &#8226