City of Cambridge Launches Residential Solar Program

The City of Cambridge today announced the launch of Sunny Cambridge, a program that provides residents with access to online tools and resources for making smarter decisions about solar. The new program will allow Cambridge residents living in single-family, multi-family and condominium housing to receive comprehensive, unbiased information for making an educated solar purchase.

Sunny Cambridge will spearhead the City’s 2016 “Year of Solar” campaign, and is yet another innovative step taken by the City towards achieving its overall clean energy and climate goals. Unlike traditional solar incentive programs in which a single, pre-selected installer offers a specified discount off their normal price, Sunny Cambridge will leverage an online solar marketplace powered by Boston-based EnergySage. This will allow for transparent competition among highly qualified installers and help residents find the best solution at the best price. Participants can expect to pay up to 20 percent less for their solar energy systems than market averages.

“Solar power is a key tool in advancing Cambridge’s commitment to environmental sustainability and achieving our net zero energy goals,” said City Manager Richard C. Rossi.  “Programs like Sunny Cambridge help position our City as a national leader in clean energy development and serve as an example for other communities across the country to replicate.”

The program will include a robust, customized community outreach and education component with specific information related to each type of housing stock. Those with complex properties will have the option of working with dedicated solar experts to help them determine their options and move through the installation process. 

“We’re thrilled to be supporting the City of Cambridge in its efforts to encourage and increase solar adoption by its residents,” said Vikram Aggarwal, founder and CEO of EnergySage. “The solar energy industry has matured rapidly over the last few years, and a program like Sunny Cambridge provides an efficient way for solar shoppers to achieve their solar installation goals.”

“Unique initiatives such as this one help improve the City’s odds of winning the $5 million Georgetown University Energy Prize,” said Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development for the City of Cambridge. The Georgetown University Energy Prize is a national competition of 50 communities that challenges participants to rethink their energy use, and implement creative strategies to increase efficiency.

Cambridge has set a goal of completing 100 solar installations through the Sunny Cambridge campaign, representing over 500 kilowatts of solar capacity. Once 75 percent of this goal is achieved, EnergySage and program partners will contribute funds to install a solar system that can benefit the greater Cambridge community.

For more information, visit www.sunnycambridge.org