concord journal
Concord light plant offers solar rebates

Mon Dec 28, 2009

Concord - Concord Municipal Light Plant (CMLP) experiences continued success with its solar photovoltaic (PV) rebate program. CMLP customers can take advantage of a rebate coupled with lower solar panel prices to lock in their electricity rate for the 25-plus year life of the solar system.

Norton Pierce of Concord is a recent recipient of the CMLP rebate. New England Breeze of Hudson just completed the installation of a 1.125 kW solar electric system on Pierce’s home.

“I’ve been interested in solar energy for some time,” said Pierce.

The widespread distribution of solar has been a high priority for the state of Massachusetts. The Commonwealth Solar program succeeded in allocating its $68 million budget two years ahead of schedule. Concord Municipal is doing its part to inspire customers to install solar electric systems by offering a one dollar per Watt rebate. This rebate translates to roughly 12 to 15 percent of the total installed cost of the system. On top of this, solar system owners can claim a 30 percent federal tax credit and up to a $1,000 state tax credit. In many cases half of the installed system costs are covered by rebates and tax credits. Residents can learn about available rebates and incentives, including the Concord solar rebate program from the
Database for State Incentives and Renewables.

“It’s great to see residents of Concord being able to invest in solar in a time when other state residents seem to be waiting to see what happens with the state rebate program,” said Mark Durrenberger, president of New England Breeze.

Details of phase II of the Commonwealth Solar program should be announced in early 2010.