Solar Assistance Program

Rooftop Solar for Commercial and Large Residential Buildings

About the Program

The City of Cambridge has partnered with local solar company, Resonant Energy, to make installing solar easier than ever. The new Solar Assistance Program provides no-cost support to commercial and large residential property owners to help you install solar on your roof and start saving on your energy costs.

To get started, fill out an interest form and our team will follow up in about a week. Filling out the form does not oblgiate you to participate in the program

To learn more about the program, register for the first online information session on May 6th at 1 pm

What This Program Offers

No-cost support from solar experts to help you discover the best option for your building, including:

Choose the Best Path for You

Community Solar: Be a Host!

Our simplest option with high impact- host a solar system on your roof and send clean energy credits to low-income customers. A third party owns the system so there are no costs to the building owner. Simply enjoy earning monthly payments and know you’re helping your community and the environment.

Direct Purchase

Purchase and own the solar system yourself. This option provides the highest long-term savings. Where applicable, we can work with you to secure grants & loans to help cover upfront costs.

Power Purchase Agreement

A third party owns the solar system and you purchase the electricity produced at a discounted rate. No upfront cost or ongoing maintenance, just discounted clean energy to save you money on your bill. 

Program Eligibility

The City of Cambridge’s Solar Assistance Program is designed to support commercial and large residential property owners interested in installing solar on their buildings.

If your property does not meet the eligibility criteria for this program, we will connect you with another provider. 

The City of Cambridge & Resonant Energy

The Solar Assistance Program is an official City of Cambridge program in partnership with Resonant Energy.

Through this program, Resonant Energy will provide services at no-cost to interested program participants, including solar feasibility analyses, a review of ownership models, and a detailed cash flow for each site and ownership option showing all costs & savings over the lifetime of the system.

Following these initial services, you will have the option to continue working with Resonant Energy or a solar provider of your choice. If you proceed with installation through Resonant Energy, you’ll also receive the following services:

  • Simplified vendor selection 

  • Support with customer-specific grant & loan opportunities

  • Transparent bidding and financial subsidies for projects over 50kW

  • Turn-key construction and installation services

Get Started

Complete a quick program interest form or reach out to Resonant (cambridgesolar@resonant.energy) to get started. You can also learn more by registering for our program’s online information session on May 6th at 1 pm here.

Homeowners Rehab Inc
Inman Square Apartments

Christ Church Cambridge

Frequently Asked Questions

Cambridge Redevelopment Authority

  • All owners of commercial and large residential buildings in Cambridge are eligible to sign-up for a solar feasibility analysis. Reach out to Sanne Wright (cambridgesolar@resonant.energy) to see if you qualify!

  • It is easiest to install solar on a building you own. In some cases, we are able to work with tenants who have roof rights, long-term leases, or strong working relationships with their landlords. If you fit into one of those categories, we encourage you to reach out. 

  • Factors such as roof size, orientation, and nearby shade can all impact how suitable your roof is for solar. As a rule of thumb, most roofs 2,500 square feet and larger have the potential to be good candidates for this program. To get a rough estimate of your roof size, you can enter your address into google maps, zoom into your roof, right click, and select measure distance

  • You can get started by filling out the intake form to set up an initial consultation with Resonant Energy. Resonant Energy will reach out to you within about 1 week

    After the initial consultation, you will provide Resonant Energy with the latest electricity bill and roof age for your desired solar site(s).

    Upon receipt of electric bills and roof ages, Resonant Energy takes 2-3 weeks to put together a detailed proposal outlining ownership options and associated cash flows.

    Resonant Energy will then schedule a 60-minute meeting with you to review the proposal.

    If desired, proceed with full-service construction and installation managed by Resonant Energy.

  • We typically cannot work with condo associations. However, if your building has a large roof (at least 7,500 square feet), we encourage you to sign-up. You may be a good fit to host a community-shared solar system.

    To get a rough estimate of your roof size, you can enter your address into google maps, zoom into your roof, right click and select measure distance. 

  • You still have options to use renewable energy and save on your energy costs even if you’re unable to participate in this program.

    Use 100% renewable energy by opting into the 100% Green Plus program option in Cambridge Community Electricity Program. https://www.masspowerchoice.com/cambridge

    Save money by signing up as a subscriber to a community solar project- reach out to cambridgesolar@resonant.energy

    Learn more about all City programs that can help you save energy and money by visiting www.cambridgeenergyalliance.org.