First Contract Signed for Solarize Hopkinton

Submitted by the Hopkinton Sustainable Green Committee

The Hopkinton Sustainable Green Committee and the Mass Clean Energy Center are pleased to announce that the first contract has been signed under the  program! The Cafazzo family of Old Farm Rd. purchased a 6.87 kW system - choosing to upgrade to the higher efficiency 327 Watt SunPower panels to maximize the harvest on their 500SF south facing roof. The system will be installed by SolarFlair, the designated Solarize installer for the Hopkinton program.

The Solarize program is a group purchasing plan open to all residents and businesses in Hopkinton that have viable southern exposure. As more contracts are signed, various tiers of discount are reached and the price drops for everyone in the program. Currently 200+ businesses and residents have expressed interest in the program. With Solarize Mass rebates ($2,000+), a Federal tax credit of 30% and a State tax credit of 15% up to $1000 and Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC's), these systems offer purchasers payback periods of 2-4 years, significant revenue generation for a period of 10 years, and free electricity for 20-30 years. Alternatively, there is a NO-MONEY-DOWN option called a Power Purchase Agreement. The homeowner or business basically rents out their own roof and allows a third-party to install and maintain all responsibilities of the system. The homeowner or business benefits by purchasing electricity for the next 20 years for less than half the rate of NSTAR.

Anyone interested in joining the program should contact Andy Boyce, Chairman of the Green Committee and Hopkinton's Solar Coach at: SolarizeHopkinton@gmail.com or visit www.Solarflair.com and click on the "Solarize Hopkinton" tab. There is no obligation. SolarFlair will perform a no-cost site evaluation and, assuming the site is viable, provide a proposal for either a purchase or PPA. Contracts must be signed by September 30^th at which time the tiered pricing will be locked in.