Do we have enough sunshine to make solar power practical in Massachusetts? Can solar power really make a difference?

Solar Energy MapYes and Yes.

The Boston area is a great location for solar installations.

A solar energy system installed in the Boston area will generate almost as much electricity as the same system would generate if it was installed in Sacramento — just 11% less.

A Boston-area installation will generate only 19% less than if the same system was installed in Reno, Nevada. Interestingly, that same Boston-area installation will generate almost double the energy compared to the same installation in Germany.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) report "U.S. Renewable Energy Technical Potentials: A GIS-Based Analysis" shows just how amazing the solar and renewable energy potential in Massachusetts truly is.

NREL has determined that utility-scale and rooftop solar power installations in Massachusetts have the technical potential to deliver 111,398 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity each year. To put that into perspective, Massachusetts consumed 57,123 GWh of electricity last year. That means solar power from Massachusetts has the potential to deliver almost double the electricity we are using today!

Show All Answers

1. Is it possible to buy solar power for less than conventional electricity rates?
2. Do we have enough sunshine to make solar power practical in Massachusetts? Can solar power really make a difference?
3. I’m planning to install solar power at home and I was wondering if I could use the solar power system to run my home during a power outage.
4. A bylaw change was passed allowing Lexington to sign 20-year agreements for the purchase of solar power. What are the benefits of purchasing solar power this way and what are our next steps?