Go Solar Massachusetts

Solar power more viable than ever

Imagine powering your home with solar energy that doesn’t pollute and never runs out. Now, imagine 50,000 others doing the same, ushering in Massachusetts’ clean energy future.

This is more possible than ever. Since 2008, the number of solar installations in the commonwealth has increased 24-fold. But we have barely begun to tap the energy potential of solar.

With solar power technology advancing exponentially, we know that Massachusetts can—and should—install 50,000 new solar roofs by 2017 and get 10% of our energy from the sun by 2030. However, it will take legislation that can keep up with ever-evolving solar technology and ever-increasing demand. If we are to remain a national leader in solar power, we urgently need to expand our current solar programs.

Join our campaign and send a message to your representatives at the State House today, telling them to support a solar powered future for Massachusetts.

90 percent of our energy comes from dirty, dangerous sources…

Here in Massachusetts, most of our energy comes from burning coal, oil and gas to heat and power our homes. Our environment and our health pay the price: these sources emit air pollution that causes smog and global warming, as well as mercury pollution that contaminates our waterways and makes our fish unsafe to eat.

…but we can change that with 50,000 new solar roofs in just five years

With major environmental and health problems caused by dirty energy, Massachusetts needs to get serious about going solar. We’ve made great progress: since the state’s current solar program was enacted in 2008, we’ve seen a 24-fold increase in the number of solar installations.

But we can do even better. We have a goal of installing solar panels on 50,000 rooftops by 2017 and getting 10 percent of our energy from the sun by 2030.  To achieve these goals, we will need to build massive public support for solar and convince our legislators to:

• Expand access to rooftop and onsite solar energy by expanding Massachusetts’ most successful solar program;
• Establish programs to promote solar hot water;
• Make all new buildings zero net-energy by maximizing energy efficiency and promoting rooftop solar; and
• Work with local communities, utilities, developers and large building owners to make solar a centerpiece of Massachusetts’ plan to meet our energy and environmental challenges.

If we fail to undertake these challenges soon, the rapidly expanding solar industry in Massachusetts could be crippled. That’s why we need your help in showing our leaders public support for solar. Click here to help Massachusetts go solar.

Powerful industries stand in the way

Some Massachusetts power companies and their fossil fuel allies are attempting to prevent homeowners and businesses from getting easy access to solar. Industry lobbyists want to protect their profits by keeping us dependent on the polluting fuels of the past. And our opponents in the Statehouse are blocking the expansion of critical solar programs—programs that will help us reach our goal of 50,000 solar roofs by 2017 and 10 percent of our energy coming from the sun by 2030.

We can clean up our air and water, and reduce our global warming pollution, by getting more of our energy from the sun. But it will take the action and support of people like you to make it happen.

Together, we can overcome the opposition and help Massachusetts go solar

Thanks to our members and supporters, we’re fighting for a solar powered future. We’ve written two reports making the case for expanding our solar programs. We’ve built a strong coalition of more than 60 clean energy businesses that support our legislation. We’ve helped pass municipal resolutions supporting solar in communities across the state, including Cambridge, Salem and Greenfield. Together, we’re building the groundswell of public support it will take to win.

Join our campaign for solar power by sending a message to your representatives at the State House in support of solar.