Newton Selected to Participate in Solar Energy Incentive Program

The state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs announced Friday that 10 municipalities had been selected in the Solarize Mass incentive program and Newton was one of the communities chosen.

The program, which will be run by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), offers residents and businesses discounted pricing for using solar energy.

“This year’s program will build on the success of the last two years, saving residents and businesses money while creating local jobs,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan in a statement Friday.

The more people who participate, the more everyone will save in a given community.

MassCEC and DOER will be working "with community volunteers and municipal representatives in each community to select a designated installer through a competitive bidding process," according to the statement.

Newton has been classified as a Green Community by DOER, which means Newton meets "five clean energy requirements, including a commitment to reduce their energy use by 20 percent and to streamline the responsible siting of renewable energy such as solar photovoltaics."

There were 17 communities in Massachusetts that participated a year ago. According to the state, "participating customers were able to purchase solar electricity systems for 20 percent less than the statewide average price at the beginning of the program" and the program also created at least 32 jobs.