Solar & Battery Regulation & Incentive Programs
Note: The Green Communities Grant Program is not currently accepting applications. The application deadline to receive a Green Communities designation was November 21, 2016. For designated communities, the grant application period closed February 10, 2017.
In 2008, Massachusetts enacted the Green Communities Act (S.B. 2768), creating the Green Communities Division within the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to support Massachusetts communities efforts towards a sustainable future, specifically in terms of energy use.
The Green Communities Division offers educational, technical, and networking support to the states' communities. In addition, they provide financial incentives. The Green Communities Grant Program offers funding for communities investing in energy efficiency upgrades and policies, renewable energy technologies, and energy management systems and services.
To be eligible, communities first must apply for and achieve official designation as a "Green Community." The basic steps required for this designation include:
The Green Communities Division provides several model ordinances and guides and is staffed with energy experts to help communities take these steps to earn designation. As of January 2017, there are 185 officially designated Green Communities in Massachusetts. At the time of designation, the Green Communities Division will inform the municipality of its grant amount, which is based on the available funds, number of applications, and a grant formula. Then, the Green Community is invited to submit a grant application with proposed projects for the grant amount.
Name | Enacted Date | Effective Date | Expired Date |
---|---|---|---|
M.G.L. ch. 25A, § 10 | 07/02/2008 | 07/02/2008 |