Today I turn the microphone (pen? mouse?) over to Solarize Medfield Solar Coach Marie Zack Nolan, for this statement about the success of the community solar program, which ended in late December, and for which New England Clean Energy was the installer:

“I am thrilled to report that the Solarize Medfield community initiative reached Tier 5, our highest level possible, providing the maximum discount to all our participants regardless of when they signed up. Tier 5 saved people an additional $0.20-per-watt over the already low starting price of the program. Over the six-month program, we had 29 contracts signed, which represents 259.135 kilowatts worth of capacity! This is an increase in capacity by 82% compared to Medfield’s baseline before the program started.

“Of the 211 people who expressed interest in the program, 165 requested an initial desk analysis and aerial screening to learn whether their homes or properties were good candidates for solar. Most of the residents who contacted New England Clean Energy had feasible sites and received onsite assessments and proposals.

“With 94 onsite solar assessments done and 92 proposals sent to feasible homes, and 29 systems moving forward, we had a 30% success rate during our program.

“We are declaring Solarize Medfield a huge success, as many more people in Medfield now understand the benefits of solar and just how amazing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can work on their roof and within their budget given all the solar incentives available and the state of PV technology now.

“The Solarize Medfield team of town volunteers and professional staff from our preferred vendor, New England Clean Energy, worked very hard from July to December. They worked to identify and follow up on leads, and to educate residents on the benefits of solar technology through public meetings at venues including Town Hall, the library and the high school auditorium, and at meetings of MEMO and the Lions Club. The Solarize team held several Solar Open Houses around town, appeared on Medfield Cable TV, and had a booth at Medfield Day. Having the town support us by allowing inserts in the water and sewer bills was critical in being able to reach everyone in town.

“I would like to acknowledge volunteer Andrew Curran for his many hours advertising and marketing the program through frequent newsletters, a Facebook page and at events. Andrew grew up in Medfield and is committed to helping the planet through sustainable and environmental advocacy. I also want to recognize Maciej Konieczny, my co-solar coach, who provided technical assistance. And I want to thank everyone at New England Clean Energy of Hudson. The company’s capable and knowledgeable staff was great to work with – helping to communicate our message, educating residents, doing countless site visits and holding frequent library hours to discuss questions and proposals with residents.”

Background: Solarize Medfield is a part of Solarize Mass, a joint initiative of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Green Communities Division of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). The program is designed to promote the widespread adoption of small-scale solar electricity within a community.