PHOTON International The Photovoltaic Magazine

Massachusetts adds $5 million initiative for renewable energy

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) announced a $5 million program for PV, wind, and micro-hydro technologies in April through the state's Renewable Energy Trust. The money, limited to $3 per W for PV, will be doled out in competitive grants of up to $50,000 for design and construction of projects up to 3.5 kW for residential and 10 kW for commercial systems.

	© Berkshire PhotoVoltaic Services
Mass-achusetts PV?: A new program in Massachusetts plans to fund 400 to 500 PV systems. This 2.4 kW system in West Stockbridge received support through the state's earlier Solar-to-Market Initiative.

MTC, which began accepting applications for the first $1 million block on a rolling and ongoing basis in April, says the Small Renewables Initiative will run until all the available funding has been allocated. MTC, which will announce awards each month, is hoping to support 400 to 500 small-scale renewable clean energy installations across the East Coast state.

MTC says its earlier $10 million Solar-to-Market Initiative, offering $6 per W and started in 2002 (see PI 11/2002, p. 19), has led to the installation of 206 PV systems with an additional 70 projects in the pipeline.

One of the goals of the initiative is to increase the number of certified installers. MTC says it is working with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union to expand the number qualified electricians in the state.