Somerville looking for solar energy volunteers

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

I got this email because I filled out the city's survey a while back on solar energy. Passing it along in case it might be of interest:

Thank you for responding to our interest survey on solar energy earlier this year. You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in potentially volunteering for a residential solar program. The City and the Commission on energy use and climate change are working on developing a solarize program that will offer competitive pricing and expedited installation for Somerville residents and businesses. If we are selected for this state-supported program, the City will be organizing a volunteer-driven campaign. Bringing more solar electricity to Somerville is a community effort, and we can’t do it without you! The city has a goal of being carbon neutral by 2050, and you as a homeowner can help reach out to other homeowners and spread the word.

Please join us October 14th 2015 at 7:45pm at the Tufts Administration Building 167 Holland St Somerville, MA 02144. This is the monthly meeting of the Commission of Energy Use and Climate Change. One of the items we will be discuss is the residential solar initiative, outlining what the program will entail and the range of volunteer roles that are part of the program. No response is necessary. If you are unavailable to attend the meeting on 10/14, please let me know, and we can set up a one-on-one meeting or organize another time for interested volunteers.

Comments

[mem-winterhill.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I got this too, I'm going to attend. Although because I had never heard any more, we've gone with a provider already and have begun the process. Still, a network of neighbors would be good and I'd like to be involved.

[mem-winterhill.livejournal.com]

I attended this meeting. The city is serious about submitting an appliction (very soon) for the Solarize Mass process. Learn more about that here: http://www.masscec.com/solarizemass

If they are approved, they want to roll it out also very quickly. If successful with their application, they envision the process of outreach to neighbors in late spring and this coming summer. Then a big wave of installations follow the sign ups.

The idea is that with a certain number of committed folks, they get a certain price, discounted for a bulk purchase. But there are tiers, and if more people sign up the price might even drop. Depends on how the outreach goes, of course.

At the meeting, they were sensitive to both the concerns and issues of renters and landlords. Questions were raised about shared housing like condos as well. Seemed like a good cross-section of folks with appropriate issues. Little minority representation, however.

They are looking for volunteers to commit to this in the very short term, because they need folks for their application process. If you would consider being a solar ambassador, don't wait--contact them for more details soon. Volunteer work might mean presentations at local community meetings, booths at festivals, answering email questions, that sort of stuff.

Other interesting tidbits: they want to investigate providers that offer both ownership and leased scenarios. So you won't necessarily have to drop big money on this. And they are interested in business owners and other community groups being involved too. It's not limited to homeowners.

Just remembered another cool tidbit: one of our neighbors is associated with the Google Sunroof project, and that began a discussion of how that resource could help residents. If you haven't seen it, check it out: https://www.google.com/get/sunroof#p=0

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I can attend the meeting, but I am thinking about getting solar installed next spring and would be happy to help at least spread the word,
and definitely don't want to miss out on any additional pricing incentives, either.