ENERGY STAR Homes

Affordable Solar-Powered ENERGY STAR Homes Program

Homebuilders participating in the Massachusetts New Homes with ENERGY STAR Program are eligible to receive incentives for installation of small photovoltaic (PV) systems in affordable housing. Technical assistance on proper PV system selection and installation is also provided to homebuilders participating in the program. Homebuilders interested in adding solar PV to market rate units can apply directly to the Renewable Energy Trust’s Commonwealth Solar Program for incentives.

Below are details on the following:

Eligibility Requirements
Financial Incentives
Participation Process

Eligibility Requirements

Following are requirements for a project to receive financial incentives:

Must meet the ENERGY STAR requirements in order to qualify for the base incentives.
PV system energy capacity should be between ≤3.6 kW for a system serving a single unit and up to 10 kW for a system serving multiple units.
Must include at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the units affordable to households who earn no more than eighty percent (80%) of the area median income.
OR, for rental housing, twenty (20%) of the units affordable to households below fifty (50%) of median income.
Construction on the project must be completed within two (2) years of the date in which the Agreement is entered.
Monthly production data must be collected from the installed system and automatically reported to Renewable Energy Trust's Production Tracking System (PTS) for the useful life of the systems (~20 years), beginning thirty (30) days after the system commences operation.
Must agree to allow Renewable Energy Trust, or its agents, to inspect the installed system as necessary.

Financial Incentives

A limited number of incentives are available to homebuilders on a “first come – first served” basis who construct ENERGY STAR qualified homes in Massachusetts that incorporate renewable energy technologies in affordable housing units. Incentives will be calculated in accordance with the Installation Matrix below.

	Single Unit Tied	Multi-Unit Tied
	Affordable	20%-49% Affordable	50%-100% Affordable
Base Incentive	$7.00/watt	$6.00/watt	$7.00/watt
Possible Addition to Base
Green Buildings (e.g., LEED, VBG, ECG)	$1.00/watt	$1.00/watt	$1.00/watt

Federal and state income tax credits up to 15% of the equipment and installation cost may be available towards the purchase price of solar PV systems installed in homes. Consult your tax advisor for more details.

Participation Process

Following are the steps associated with applying for and receiving incentives through the Affordable Solar-Powered ENERGY STAR Homes Program. Technical assistance and guidance is available during all stages of the process.

Step 1: Determine if incentives are available for your project and obtain an Application and Agreement form by contacting the program coordinators at 1-800-628-8413 or email massenergystarhomes@icfi.com.

Step 2: Determine whether solar is compatible with your project by reviewing the guides provided on the Renewable Energy Trust Web site at http://www.masstech.org/solar/ or consulting with the program;

Step 3: Estimate savings and incentives by using the tools available through Renewable Energy Trust at http://www.masstech.org/solar/;

Step 4: Select an installer or vendor (see www.SEBANE.org or www.nesea.org/syp/) that meets the program requirements listed in the Application and Agreement form. (Renewable Energy Trust does not allow for third-party ownership.)

Step 5: Submit an incentive Application and Agreement form. Your selected vendor or installer will be responsible for preparing the documents; you will need to assist them by providing some supporting materials.

Step 6: Receive your incentive award packet, which includes the amount of the incentive, the project completion deadline, and any other requirements, as well as the project completion form and information on the Production Tracking System. Notify your installer or vendor and work with the utility to have the project interconnected to the grid.

Download the full brochure