As part of its mission to bring equal access to the benefits of solar to all ratepayers across the state, community solar pioneer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) celebrated four new community solar facilities in Massachusetts with ceremonial groundbreaking events this week. Representatives from CEC were joined by state and local officials to commemorate the beginning of construction of a 1 MW (AC) facility in Adams, Mass. and three 1 MW facilities in Uxbridge, Mass.

This brings to six the number of shared solar facilities CEC has built in Mass. as it grows state-wide access to its SolarPerks program, a community-shared renewable solution that requires no money down and guarantees residential and commercial participants an instant savings over existing utility rates.

CEC has an additional 20 MW in late-stage development across the commonwealth's National Grid and Eversource (formerly NStar) territories to serve the surging demand for SolarPerks. An additional 30+ MW of projects are in early development and expected to be announced over the course of 2015.

"What we are doing right now is really transitioning to that more ideal grid, where we can create more of our energy locally, and we can create it from renewable sources that won't impact and damage the environment that we all know separate this beautiful region from so many other areas," said State Senator Ben Downing during Tuesday's event referencing the Adams Community Solar Array.

"It is part of a greater movement to grow clean energy, and it is helping cities and towns and helping create a robust clean energy market."

The commonwealth has sent a strong message in support of solar, and community-shared solar is proving to be one of the most effective and accessible solutions. Featuring local, off-site, commercial grade solar installations, community-shared solar is available to all utility ratepayers, including those with shaded properties, renters, and residents living in multi-unit housing. There is no installation, upfront cost, personal financing, maintenance, or any ongoing costs required.

Through technology innovations and major financial partnerships, CEC has developed the most cost-effective medium-scale array installation, sales, maintenance, and servicing models in the industry, allowing for successful project deployment in Massachusetts and several other states.

"Our community-shared solar programming is expanding solar access in Massachusetts providing equal access to all ratepayers," said Tom Sweeney, CEC's chief operating officer. "If you receive an electric bill, you have the opportunity to participate in, and benefit from, the installation of a community solar project."