JOE-4-SUN

Low-income community shared solar program providing green energy credits to eligible households in Massachusetts.

Geographic Scope: Massachusetts

Focus Areas:

• Renewable energy access for low-income families
• Electricity bill savings through solar energy credits
• Community shared solar (ground-mounted solar arrays)

Key Features:

• Connects income-eligible families to utility-scale solar farms in rural and suburban areas
• Provides green energy credits to households already receiving utility discount rates from Eversource or National Grid
• Families receive benefits for at least 12 months on top of existing utility discounts
• No rooftop panels or leasing agreements required
• 20-year program lifespan
• Expected to save 35,000 Massachusetts families over $10 million total
• Approximately 2,000 families expected to enroll annually

Eligibility:

• Income-eligible households
• Must be receiving discount rates from Eversource or National Grid utilities

What They Fund:

• Green energy credits from solar farms
• Electricity bill savings

Background: Launched in August 2019. Legislation sponsored by Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo paved the way for the program. Represents the largest Low-Income Community Shared Solar initiative in Massachusetts.

Application Process

• Online Application: Available at http://bit.ly/2lKiKYU
• Eligibility Verification: Household must already be receiving discount rates from Eversource or National Grid
• Enrollment: Close to 2,000 families enroll annually in fall periods