Fenway Goes for Residential Solar Power Program

Residential solar projects will double after 116 Bostonians signed contracts to install solar projects through Solarize Mass-Boston.

Contributing to the increase were 2 Fenway-Kenmore households and 4 Allston-Brighton households, according to statistics from the mayor's office. 

Residents and businesses were offered a group buying program designed to increase interest of purchasing solar energy and reduce its cost, due to buying in bulk. The more people signed up, the more prices dropped, with 41 contracts being signed in the last week of the program.

Roslindale led the way with 33 contracts signed, followed by Dorchester with 22, and then Jamaica Plain with 21 contracts. All other neighborhoods were in single digit contracts (see chart below for full breakdown).

Boston concluded the four-month program in early November 4, that partnered the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to make solar more accessible and affordable for Boston homeowners. The 116 contracts will result in 522 kilowatts of clean, renewable energy, according to a city press release.

“Solarize Mass-Boston was an outstanding success and helped increase Bostonians’ access to the clean energy revolution,” said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino in a statement. “We’ll build on this success and continue to develop programs to help residents and businesses green their energy usage while reducing costs.”

Menino kicked off the program by installing solar panels on his own home in Hyde Park. Menino’s previously stated goal was to have 25 megawatts of solar energy in Boston by 2015, with solar being installed at residences, businesses, and municipal buildings.

Including Menino's home, Hyde Park signed nine contracts. Check out the rest of the neighborhood breakdown: