Solar

Massachusetts Sets New Solar Energy Target

Lucas Willard — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:48:04 +0000

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and other state officials announced yesterday a new target for solar energy installation in the commonwealth.

In his first term, Governor Patrick set a goal of reaching 250 megawatts of solar energy installed statewide by 2017. That goal has been reached four years early, prompting the Patrick-Murray Administration to set a new target of 1.6 gigwatts of solar power by 2020.

Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan said that the rate of solar installation is increasing rapidly.

Community Corner: Alicia Barton, CEO of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

Lucas Willard — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:28:16 +0000

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs announced that ten communities in the commonwealth will participate in a new round of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's Solarize Mass program, which encourages small businesses and home owners to invest in solar energy. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard spoke with Executive Director and CEO of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Alicia Barton.

New College Solar Array Aims to Educate Students and Farmers About Alternative Energy

Pat Bradley — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:15:00 +0000

A new solar installation at the University of Vermont is targeting not only powering part of the campus, but enhancing Vermont’s statewide agriculture sector.

Massachusetts Solar Program Drawing Attention

Lucas Willard — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 19:41:56 +0000

Two Berkshire communities are participating in a statewide effort to expand the use of solar energy in private homes and small businesses. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is partnering with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to expand small-scale solar projects throughout the state with in its Solarize Massachusetts program.

Pittsfield and Lenox, two designated Green Communities, will be holding community forums to educate the public about solar energy and the Solarize Mass program.

Pittsfield Gives OK to Ponterril Solar Project

Lucas Willard — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:59:22 +0000

Pittsfield’s Zoning Board of Appeals gave unanimous approval to a 22 acre solar array on the former YMCA Camp at Ponterril. The $20 million project would sit on the 77-acre site overlooking Pontoosuc Lake, and generate three megawatts of electricity. The electricity would then be sold to the Western Massachusetts Electric Company.

Deanna Ruffer, Pittsfield’s Community Development Director, said that the project owned by Connecticut-based CTC electric, will be welcome as the city’s fourth solar project.