April 3, 2017
Contact: Joe Blotnick, Project Coordinator, A Climate to Thrive
Email: joe@aclimatetothrive.org Phone: (207) 266-5590
Communities are empowered when they set visionary goals and rally to achieve them. With this in mind, A Climate to Thrive (ACTT) announces the launch of Solarize MDI, a solar initiative for everyone who lives or works on Mount Desert Island. Beginning April 15th, residents and businesses in the towns of Mount Desert, Bar Harbor, Tremont, and Southwest Harbor will be able to participate in a group purchasing program to reduce installation costs for grid-tied solar electric installations.
Solarize MDI aims to increase adoption of small-scale solar electricity at homes and businesses through a competitive-tiered pricing structure. Savings for all participants increase as more home and business owners sign installation contracts before July 15, 2017; in effect, the more participants, the bigger the available discount, with potential average household installation savings of $1,500 in addition to a 30% federal tax credit. Solar projects will be designed and installed by ReVision Energy of Liberty, Maine beginning this spring.
“Every year MDI spends more than $60 million on energy costs, most of which is exported to out-of-state fossil fuel producers,” says Gary Friedmann, Chair of A Climate to Thrive. “With the cost of solar panels dropping 40% last year, there’s never been a better time to go photovoltaic - to save real money on monthly bills and take MDI another step toward energy independence.”
In addition to net-energy billing, which allows for an equal exchange of kilowatt-hour credit accrual with Emera Maine, solar means long-term locked-in energy savings with an average return on investment of seven to ten percent. Additional benefits apply to third party investors for systems installed on municipal or non-profit properties. Businesses also may qualify for USDA Rural Energy America Program grants for projects up to $80,000.
We invite local media to join ACTT and ReVision Energy representatives, and others for a press conference at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 14 at the Bar Harbor Community Farm (115 Gilbert Farm Road), to hear more regarding Solarize MDI and ACTT’s goal of achieving energy independence for the island by 2030.
Upcoming events for Solarize MDI include Friday morning coffee hours, solar open houses, and in-depth presentations.
For more information regarding this program and a full listing of events or to sign up for a free on-site evaluation, please visit www.solarizemdi.org or call (207) 589-4171.
