City Solar Projects


Solar at MHS/MVMMS

The high school and middle school roofs are covered with solar panels for a total of 351kW. The arrays were installed in three phases in 2008, 2011, and 2013 and save the city about $32,000 annually in electricity costs and the sale of the renewable energy credits. Solar production can be monitored online HERE.

Middle school solar panels


Solar at the Department of Public Works

The 64kW system on the roof of the Public Works Operations Facility was installed in 2018. Solar production can be monitored online HERE.

DPW Solar


Downtown Melrose Community Microgrid Feasibility Study

Melrose was one of 14 communities selected in 2017 to participate in the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) Community Microgrid Feasibility program in order to analyze a potential microgrid serving City Hall, Central Fire, Memorial Hall, and Shaw’s Supermarket utilizing energy efficiency, combined heat and power, energy storage, and a solar PV canopy over the City Hall parking lot. The Feasibility Study, conducted by B2Q Associates, identified several regulatory and legal hurdles as well as significant upfront costs for the project. However, the City continues to explore ways to incorporate new technology to make our operations more resilient and to leverage current financial incentives to make it possible.

More about the Community Microgrid program can be found on the MassCEC site: https://www.masscec.com/community-microgrids-program
 


Solar Map of Melrose

Ten years ago there were six rooftop solar arrays in Melrose. As of March 2022 there are 526 solar rooftops for a total of 4MW installed. Can you find yours on the map?

Solar


SolSmart Bronze Designation

SolSmart Award

In 2017 Melrose earned a SolSmart Bronze designation from the US Department of Energy for reducing barriers to solar development in our community in permitting, planning, zoning, community engagement, market development, and government operations. More on the DOE SolSmart program here: https://solsmart.org/


SolSmart Innovation Award for Big Roof Solar

In 2020 the Melrose Energy Commission’s “Big Roof Solar” campaign was awarded the first ever SolSmart Innovation Award for implementing a unique solar marketing and outreach program tailored for nonprofits, houses of worship, and small businesses, expanding solar beyond the residential market. Read the DOE SolSmart Melrose Case-study here: https://solsmart.org/case-study-melrose-ma-go-solar-melrose-big-roof-solar-earns-innovation-award/

SolSmart Innovation Awards

Pictured here are the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church Big Roof Solar coordinators Jeff Doody and Lori Timmermann, Sustainability Manager Martha Grover, State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian, and Mayor Paul Brodeur.


Solar Supporter of the Year - "Local Level”

Awarded in 2020 to Melrose Sustainability Manager Martha Grover by the SEBANE, the Solar Energy Business Association of New England.

Melrose Highlands Church


Solar Panels are Everywhere in Melrose!

Check out the benches outfitted with solar-powered phone charging ports at Melrose High School and the Common Playground. And then bring your dog to the Melrose Dog Park in the twilight hours lit up by solar-powered lights.

Solar Bench