This document discusses the benefits of residential solar energy and community solar programs. It notes that solar energy users often also adopt electric vehicles and heat pumps, since solar lowers electricity costs. A community solar program involves group purchasing of solar power through a local volunteer organization and solar coaches. Such programs increase solar adoption in a community and foster adoption of other carbon-reducing technologies. Community solar programs provide benefits like making a town a clean energy leader and increasing subsequent solar adoption in the area. Massachusetts continues to support programs that promote residential solar and pairing it with clean heating technologies like heat pumps.

1. Solar Energy Prospects (Residential)
The link between solar and other technologies that reduce fossil
fuel use + the way forward through Community Solar Programs
Sustainability By Land & Sea
March 17, 2017

2. 2Confidential and Proprietary—Do Not Distribute
Overview
• The link between residential solar and other technologies that
reduce fossil fuel use
• What a residential community solar program is, and what
makes a program successful
• Why communityprograms matter to all of us
• The benefits of community programs to the Town / City

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The link between solar and Electric
vehicles and heat pumps
• One recent study* finds that around 50% of US
consumers who have solar power or electric vehicles
have both
• Link to air source heat pumps is anecdotal in MA –
although some reports† suggest that resistance to fuel
switching may be dampening this phenomenon
• Real life examples and intuitive reasoning suggest that
EVs and heat pump technology are more attractive
when electricity costs are reduced by solar PV.
*2016 “Consumer Driven Technologies” study by the Smart Grid Consumer
Collaborative
† 2017 “The Perfect Solution, and Why it is not working” by Efficiency First California

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What is a Community Solar Program and why
do they matter?
• It’s not a community-SHARED solar program.
• Basically it’s group purchasing of solar led by a local group of
volunteers and one or more Solar Coaches
• A communityeducation and outreach campaign increases
solar adoption.
• A communityprogram leverages what has worked elsewhere
(marketing, social media, outreach mechanisms)
• Also includes a community-benefit based on results.

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A community program demystifies &
simplifies the process

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Community Program Benefits
• Makes the community a clean energy leader within its borders
and for neighboring communities
• Usually comes with an award for reaching a kW goal – fosters
increased adoption
• Increases adoption of solar in subsequent years (finding from
MassCEC Commonwealth II data comparing pre-Solarize
adoption to post-Solarize adoption)
• May increase adoption of other carbon reducing technologies
• Above two benefits matter to all of us!

7. 7Confidential and Proprietary—Do Not Distribute
Residential Solar Prospects in MA
• DOER efforts to create a “long term sustainable solar
incentive program” for MA will provide stability to the market
for the next 1,600 MW of solar
• MassCEC continue to support Solarize programs and from
2017 will couple clean heating technology options (including
heat pumps) to the program
• Heat pump technology continues to improve, and is almost a
viable option as a sole-source heating system
• Electric vehicle options continue to grow, and State incentives
remain attractive
• Overall solar prospects (and associated technologies to
reduce fossil fuel use) remain good in MA

8. 8Confidential and Proprietary—Do Not Distribute
Questions and Thank you!
• Tim D’Souza
Community Business Development
Manager
tim.dsouza@directenergysolar.com
508-782-4551