Roof mounted solar hot water systems are similar in look to solar photovoltaic panels used to generate electricity instead of hot water. They can be connected to an existing hot water tank and provide between 50 and 75 per cent of a household’s water needs. Hot water accounts for 20 per cent of the energy consumed at home, so these systems can represent significant savings in energy, gas and oil used to heat water.
Official support
MassCEC says the rebate program builds on the success of the Commonwealth Solar rebate programs, which have installed nearly 34 MW of solar energy throughout the Commonwealth since 2007.
“Under Governor Patrick, the growth of solar photovoltaic power for homes, businesses, and institutions has been a great success story,†said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC board of directors. “Now, we are extending a similar helping hand to homeowners who want to take advantage of solar technology for their household’s hot water.â€
MassCEC executive director Patrick Clooney added that besides the financial savings and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the program will create jobs and educate the public about the benefits of solar hot water technologies.
Applying
To qualify, a resident and project site must be an electric customer of NSTAR, National Grid, Unitil, or Western Massachusetts Electric Co., or of a municipal power company that participates in MassCEC’s Renewable Energy Trust Fund. These include Ashburnham, Templeton, Holden, Holyoke and Russell. Rebates will be based on project size.
The rebate announced today will amount to approximately $1,000 per system for a typical residential solar hot water system for a four to five person household, with additional rebates available for system components manufactured in Massachusetts.
When combined with other federal, state, and utility incentive programs, this rebate can cover more than half of the cost of a system. Rebates to qualifying Massachusetts residents will be awarded through a non-competitive application process for the installation of solar hot water projects by professional, licensed contractors.
The Commonwealth Solar Hot Water program is funded with $1 million from MassCEC’s Renewable Energy Trust Fund.
MassCEC was created by the Green Jobs Act of 2008. Its mission is to foster the growth of the Massachusetts clean energy industry through seed grants to companies, universities, and non-profit organizations. It also funds job training and workforce development programs and supports the installation of renewable energy projects throughout the state.
Visit the solar hot water factsheet to find out more.
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