Clean Energy Collective (CEC), the nation's leading community solar developer, announced that its newest community solar facility for Massachusetts will be a 1.3 MW solar PV array located in Adams, Mass. The move is part of CEC's initiative to bring multiple utility-scale shared solar arrays online to serve the rapidly growing demand for community solar.

"Residential, commercial and government consumers in Massachusetts made it clear that they want more locally-made clean energy, but it must be accessible to everyone and make economic sense," said Tom Sweeney, CEC's chief operating officer.

"Community solar serves these requirements and has effectively expanded solar adoption due to the fact that there is no limitation on participation. All that is required is that you receive an electric bill from the utility."

Until now, the Massachusetts' solar market has been limited to customers who own an ideally-oriented roof with no shading, which is only about 20% of ratepayers.

Other available solar solutions have been too complex or limited to large commercial and government entities. Conversely, with community solar, and specifically CEC's innovative SolarPerks program, anyone with an electric bill can support locally-produced renewable energy and lock in guaranteed savings.

SolarPerks allows all electricity ratepayers-residential, commercial and government segments- in Massachusetts' NSTAR and National Grid territories the opportunity to participate in a shared utility-scale solar PV array.

Residential customers can participate with $0 down payment, no recurring costs, and receive a guaranteed monthly savings - for the next 20 years.

The new 5,200-panel community solar facility in Adams, Mass. will generate more than 1.64 million kilowatt hours of clean power each year, with capacity to serve approximately 250 customers.

That is equivalent to offsetting more than 54 million pounds of CO2, planting 83,000 trees, or avoiding 61 million car miles.

CEC is accelerating development of solar facilities throughout the NSTAR and National Grid territories. Demand for community solar, and the SolarPerks program, has been significant and construction on additional facilities is planned to be underway before year's end.