We added a full solar panel installation to our home in early 2020, after vetting and reviewing several vendors and quotes during the previous six…
Great solar installation experience
Submitted by: PO Chernoff
Great solar installation experience
Submitted by: PO Chernoff
We added a full solar panel installation to our home in early 2020, after vetting and reviewing several vendors and quotes during the previous six months. New England Clean Energy out of Hudson, MA won our business and did a superb job with installation and with getting the paperwork filed with the state and electric company for our admittedly oversized installation. We chose to oversize the installation to make full use of our roof area and feed back the excess to the grid for credits, refunds, and rebates. Most Spring/Summer/Fall months we generate credits with the electric company, which we then use up over the Winter months when the panels are frequently snow-covered. Our ROI is under a dozen years and the few problems encountered early on were quickly and professionally handled by NECE. If you have a decent sunny space on your roof or land, we highly recommend the investment in solar technology.
Well I guess one could say I'm into this: Installed 12kw of solar electricity in 2009 & 2011 (haven't had an electric bill charge in several…
Where do I start?
Submitted by: Rich Molnar
Where do I start?
Submitted by: Rich Molnar
Well I guess one could say I'm into this:
Installed 12kw of solar electricity in 2009 & 2011 (haven't had an electric bill charge in several years)
Bought an EV in 2013 (Volt) and 2021 (Polestar) mostly charge them off solar production
Installed geothermal heating/cooling in 2018. Runs off solar production. Desuperheating tank preheats domestic hot water.
House converted to LED light (Yay gallium nitride!) and MassSave helped insulate the heck out of the attic to qualify for geothermal subsidy.
Been an avid fireplace insert user (firewood is generally considered carbon neutral) and it was usually our primary heat source before geothermal installed.
Composting, errand consolidation and other random minor adjustments have been generally followed to minimize our impact on the planet.
When we moved to town in the fall of 2015, the first thing we did was install solar on our new home. We had installed…
Committed to Solar
Submitted by: Matthew Varrell
Committed to Solar
Submitted by: Matthew Varrell
When we moved to town in the fall of 2015, the first thing we did was install solar on our new home. We had installed solar on our previous home and found it to be an excellent investment. We were also able to leverage incentives to help others install solar. It is of benefit to our farm business that we can tell customers that our entire farm is powered by the sun.
I had a 40-panel, 12kWAC system installed in May. I originally had signed a deal with one of the big national companies, but it broke…
QF Adventures
Submitted by: John Cushing
QF Adventures
Submitted by: John Cushing
I had a 40-panel, 12kWAC system installed in May. I originally had signed a deal with one of the big national companies, but it broke down when they wouldn't install as large of a system as I wanted. If you don't know, the MA law was changed about a year ago to raise the net metering cap exemption from 10kWAC to 25kWAC. However, because the DPU is taking its sweet time officially issuing the corresponding updated guidance to National Grid, you can't get full net metering on a system that size yet. So for the time being, even though the law has changed, you still have to install a >10kW system as a "qualifying facility (QF)", which gives you a less favorable net metering rate. The original company wouldn't do a QF installation. Figuring all that out and dealing with it was exactly as fun as it sounds, but New England Clean Energy were very knowledgeable about the situation and very responsive, so I ended up switching to them. They were really well-organized and easy to deal with, so the installation went well. I didn't worry about the looks too much originally, but now I kind of think the house actually looks a little better with the panels on it. After about a 3-month wait, I got my permission to operate and I can make about 50-60kWh on a good day. Now I'm just waiting for my correct net metering rate to come through.
I was very pleased to work with Worth Robbins to join Harvard Solar Garden II. The Harvard Solar Garden iniative is a tribute to the…
So Happy to be part of Harvard Solar Garden II
Submitted by: Elizabeth Breed
So Happy to be part of Harvard Solar Garden II
Submitted by: Elizabeth Breed
I was very pleased to work with Worth Robbins to join Harvard Solar Garden II. The Harvard Solar Garden iniative is a tribute to the hard work of Worth and others. I appreciate Paul Green taking the leadership position after Worth passed away.
I tell anyone who will listen, regardless of where they live, about how great it is to have Harvard Solar Garden in our town.
We just had our roof replaced and solar installed. Golden Group was so good, I would recommend them all day long. If you need both…
Roof and Solar all in one
Submitted by: Kim&Jeff Manning
Roof and Solar all in one
Submitted by: Kim&Jeff Manning
We just had our roof replaced and solar installed. Golden Group was so good, I would recommend them all day long. If you need both done, talk to them about their process. It is thoughtful and thorough. The project management and customer service were top notch. We had ZERO problems.
We worked with Trinity Solar to have solar panels installed on our roof. They work with subcontractors to complete the installation so that was done…
Rooftop Solar Panels Installed
Submitted by: Dan Fitek
Rooftop Solar Panels Installed
Submitted by: Dan Fitek
We worked with Trinity Solar to have solar panels installed on our roof. They work with subcontractors to complete the installation so that was done by Apex Solar. It's early to say but it seems like we're generating more electricity than we use so we're building up credits.
I am a founding member of the Harvard Community Solar Garden and I couldn't be happier with the benefit. My 5kw covers my household needs…
The Community Solar Garden makes a difference
Submitted by: Barbara Kemp
The Community Solar Garden makes a difference
Submitted by: Barbara Kemp
I am a founding member of the Harvard Community Solar Garden and I couldn't be happier with the benefit. My 5kw covers my household needs except for a month or two in the winter when there's less sun or deep snow covers the panels. Even then, my annual cost for household electricity is less than $100.
In 2012, under the Solarize Massachusetts program, we added a 7.7 kW solar array to our south-facing roof. In 2013 we added a 20 kWh…
Solar Array and Battery Backup
Submitted by: George Snyder
Solar Array and Battery Backup
Submitted by: George Snyder
In 2012, under the Solarize Massachusetts program, we added a 7.7 kW solar array to our south-facing roof. In 2013 we added a 20 kWh residential battery backup for power outages. It can support about one day of normal electricity use, or about three days with stringent conservation. If the solar panels are not covered with snow, they can recharge the batteries for even longer outages.
We used New England Clean Energy for both projects. They were very helpful and experienced, and we are happy with the results.
Initially the solar array provided about 85% of our electrical usage. Since we installed EV chargers and GSHP, solar provides only about half of our power. However, our total annual energy cost is now 25% lower than it was in 2011 (adjusted for inflation).
We were thrilled to take the jump back in 2007 and be one of the original investors in the Harvard Community Solar Garden. It was…
Community Solar Garden
Submitted by: SusanMary Redinger
Community Solar Garden
Submitted by: SusanMary Redinger
We were thrilled to take the jump back in 2007 and be one of the original investors in the Harvard Community Solar Garden. It was a great opportunity for us since our house was deemed too shady to qualify for other programs. We enjoyed the initial years of rebate checks and now love the monthly credits against our electricy bill.
We were part of the Solarize Harvard project which was done several years ago. We were pleased to add solar to provide green electricity to…
Added Rooftop Solar
Submitted by: KARA MCGUIRE MINAR
Added Rooftop Solar
Submitted by: KARA MCGUIRE MINAR
We were part of the Solarize Harvard project which was done several years ago. We were pleased to add solar to provide green electricity to our antique house.
When we added a garage with a Southern exposure we were glad to add solar panels.
Solar
Submitted by: Joel Ross
Solar
Submitted by: Joel Ross
When we added a garage with a Southern exposure we were glad to add solar panels.
We installed solar panels on our garage in December of 2012 - and haven't had to think about them since. Absolutely love them, and can't…
Love our solar panels!
Submitted by: Kristin Kelley-Muñoz
Love our solar panels!
Submitted by: Kristin Kelley-Muñoz
We installed solar panels on our garage in December of 2012 - and haven't had to think about them since. Absolutely love them, and can't recommend New England Clean Energy highly enough - installation only took a day and a half!
We added solar to our home in 2011 as part of the first wave of Solarize Harvard. Because we live in a 1760s-era colonial, our…
Antiques are prime for solar!
Submitted by: Lisa Aciukewicz
Antiques are prime for solar!
Submitted by: Lisa Aciukewicz
We added solar to our home in 2011 as part of the first wave of Solarize Harvard. Because we live in a 1760s-era colonial, our house is situated facing due south, as are most houses of that era. We ended up adding more solar in 2016 while installing mini-splits for heating and cooling, this time to our west-facing garage. I was surprised that we got enough solar gain there, but we did as we live on a very sunny lot. We love not having a bills all summer and having much smaller bills in winter, while cutting down on our supplemental heat (propane).
We go our solar panels about three years ago, and we love having them, we are hoping to eventually get more!
Roof Solar Panels
Submitted by: Julie Shoemaker
Roof Solar Panels
Submitted by: Julie Shoemaker
We go our solar panels about three years ago, and we love having them, we are hoping to eventually get more!
We built Rivendell, our net-zero solar home in Harvard in 2017 and moved in by Christmas. Each year our solar panels generate almost 20 megawatt…
Rivendell, A net-zero solar home in Harvard
Submitted by: richard jenson
Rivendell, A net-zero solar home in Harvard
Submitted by: richard jenson
We built Rivendell, our net-zero solar home in Harvard in 2017 and moved in by Christmas. Each year our solar panels generate almost 20 megawatt hours of electricity - enough to heat, cool and illuminate our home, cook our food (induction stove top), and feed our electric vehicles (Chevy Bolts). In addition we feed 2 megawatt hours of EXCESS back to National Grid. We burn no petroleum products and have 32 kilowatt hours of battery storage to run our home overnight or in the event of a power interruption. Our air source heat pump regulates the environment in summer and winter, with a woodstove for back-up in arctic conditions. Twelve inches of (open and closed cell) spray foam insulation keeps the outside and inside air separate.
The School Building Committee added solar arrays to the new elementary school building, reused the playground equipment, added non-wax floors, added composting stations, and put…
Solar Tiles and Composting
Submitted by: Linda Dwight
Solar Tiles and Composting
Submitted by: Linda Dwight
The School Building Committee added solar arrays to the new elementary school building, reused the playground equipment, added non-wax floors, added composting stations, and put in a conditioned air system.
We installed 19 327W SunPower panels on our roof in December 2016. To date we have produced 41.6MW of electricity, saving about $10,000 in electricity…
Solar Panels
Submitted by: Charles Oliver
Solar Panels
Submitted by: Charles Oliver
We installed 19 327W SunPower panels on our roof in December 2016. To date we have produced 41.6MW of electricity, saving about $10,000 in electricity costs. We have also sold over $10,000 in SRECs, leading to a 6.5 year payback period for the system.
My grandparents installed solar energy in the 1990's -- when we moved to Harvard, our family did so too soon after. We have a 10…
Solar Energy Experience
Submitted by: Lauren Gill
Solar Energy Experience
Submitted by: Lauren Gill
My grandparents installed solar energy in the 1990's -- when we moved to Harvard, our family did so too soon after. We have a 10 kilowatt system (maximum non-commercial allowed in MA) that is providing for most of our energy needs throughout the year.
Tax incentives too hard to pass up for even more solar panels on our roof (thank you Inflation Reduction Act!). We should now be nearly…
Adding more solar!
Submitted by: Eve Wittenberg
Adding more solar!
Submitted by: Eve Wittenberg
Tax incentives too hard to pass up for even more solar panels on our roof (thank you Inflation Reduction Act!). We should now be nearly at net zero for electricity with Harvard's 100% renewable energy for the small amount we draw from National Grid on cloudy/low sun days.
We have solar on the family room roof of our house which we installed in 2012 through Solarize Harvard. We added ground source heat pumps…
When you want more solar but the house has no more good large enough spots
Submitted by: Ellen Sachs Leicher
When you want more solar but the house has no more good large enough spots
Submitted by: Ellen Sachs Leicher
We have solar on the family room roof of our house which we installed in 2012 through Solarize Harvard. We added ground source heat pumps in 2018. Since ground source uses electricity we wanted to add more solar but there was no more good facing roof and too many trees. Though our heat pump heats our water, we found in the spring and fall, when the heat pump is off because we neither need heat or air conditioning, the back up oil burner was going on to heat the water. Solution - solar hot water heater. It needs only 2 or 3 panels to make enough hot water and we had room for that in a place that will get enough sun. Inexpensive by comparison to eveything else we have done and break even in about 10 - 12 years or sooner based on the price of oil and electricity
Replaced most of our electric demand... (Including car) with 8kw of solar. Thanks New England Clean Energy.
8kw are awesome
Submitted by: Ben Urquhart
8kw are awesome
Submitted by: Ben Urquhart
Replaced most of our electric demand... (Including car) with 8kw of solar. Thanks New England Clean Energy.
I'm lucky to be a member of the Harvard Community Solar Garden. I generate enough credit during the spring, summer and fall to cover my…
Harvard Community Solar Garden
Submitted by: Libby Levison
Harvard Community Solar Garden
Submitted by: Libby Levison
I'm lucky to be a member of the Harvard Community Solar Garden. I generate enough credit during the spring, summer and fall to cover my electricity use during the winter.
Our roof is shaded by a neighbor's trees, so we were thrilled to be informed of an effort to create a Solar Garden in Harvard,…
Harvard Solar Garden
Submitted by: Gary Helmstetter
Harvard Solar Garden
Submitted by: Gary Helmstetter
Our roof is shaded by a neighbor's trees, so we were thrilled to be informed of an effort to create a Solar Garden in Harvard, over 10 years ago. It took many years, and massive volunteer efforts by several individuals, but we are proud founding members. We have 5 KW of "nameplate" solar, and now that we are driving an EV, would love to have even more to keep it charged purely from sunshine.
The fourth year in living in our new/old (1781) home, our window air conditioners did not keep up on the hottest summer days. We decided…
Going solar
Submitted by: arlene genova
Going solar
Submitted by: arlene genova
The fourth year in living in our new/old (1781) home, our window air conditioners did not keep up on the hottest summer days. We decided to take advantage of the sun beating down on our property and we installed a 22 panel, 8 kW solar system with battery (Generac). Last year our system exceeded expectations producing about 1.1 MWh with all the savings that implies (see electric rate increase last year). We also signed up to sell our battery energy back to the grid ($2.25/kWh) for additional savings. After a year and a half, we are thrilled with the performance of our solar installation. When we added our solar system, we also installed mini-splits for cooling our home. (The combination of solar power with mini-split heat pumps seems compelling enough to be offered as a package by appropriate vendors.)