Stow Solar Challenge One of the Most Successful Community Programs in MA

STOW, Mass. - May 19, 2014 - PRLog -- Fifty-seven homeowners and two businesses in Stow are installing solar electric systems through the Stow Solar Challenge, representing 417.6 kilowatts of clean energy, Arnie Epstein, solar coach for the Challenge, announced today. The Stow Energy Working Group and local volunteers, who ran the Challenge with the endorsement of the town selectmen, set goals of 40 systems and 200 kilowatts at the start of the program.

The Stow Solar Challenge community solar program ended on May 16 after six months of outreach and activity by volunteers and the community at large.

“Not only did we reach Tier 5, the maximum level of discount, but we blew our kilowatt target out of the water. This is great news for the environment, and for the people who are saving a total of $183,750 on their solar systems compared to the already discounted Tier 1 prices. This has been one of the most successful community solar initiatives in the state. On a per resident basis, the Stow Solar Challenge exceeded the results of all but one of the 26 state-sponsored Solarize Mass campaigns to date,” Epstein said.

“Everyone in Stow should be very proud of our town – particularly those who made the decision to go solar. Clean, renewable solar energy is free of greenhouse gas emissions and helps in the fight against climate change. I’d especially like to thank the volunteers who worked hard on this program,” Epstein said.

In all, 276 people looked into solar through the Challenge. The installer, Hudson, Mass.-based New England Clean Energy, visited 129 homes and businesses to evaluate them for solar.

Customers who signed up early in the Challenge and have paid in full for their systems will receive refund checks from the installer, New England Clean Energy, reflecting the final Tier 5 prices.