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Renewable energy in Cambridge
The Cambridge Community Electricity Program was designed to encourage the development of new renewable energy projects in Cambridge and New England. The program has already supported the development of a new solar energy project in Cambridge.
Add renewable energy in Cambridge
All program prices include a small additional charge of 0.2 ¢/kWh. The City has used the money collected from this additional charge to fund the development of a solar energy project on Graham & Parks School. The result is that each Cambridge Community Electricity Program participant will help to add more renewable electricity to the local electricity grid. The electricity produced by this solar project takes the place of some fossil fuel-generated electricity.
The City applies the renewable energy certificates (RECs) generated by this solar project to a portion of the electricity used by all program participants. As a result:
- Economy Green participants receive the minimum amount of renewable energy required by the state, all from projects in New England. They also receive additional renewable electricity from the new solar project, over and above the state-required minimum.
- Standard Green participants receive 50% of their electricity from new renewable projects in the New England region by having 50% Massachusetts Class I RECs purchased on their behalf. They also receive additional renewable energy from the new solar project.
- 100% Green Plus participants receive 100% renewable energy, all from projects in the New England region, by having 100% Massachusetts Class I RECs purchased on their behalf. They also receive additional renewable energy from the new solar project.
Renewable energy is purchased through renewable energy certificates, or RECs. Visit this page to learn about RECs.
Support renewable energy throughout New England
Through the program, the City also makes it possible to do more. Program participants may choose to opt up to the 100% Green Plus option and receive 100% renewable electricity from renewable energy projects in New England (MA Class I RECs), as well as receiving additional renewable electricity from the Cambridge solar project. 100% Green Plus participants are supporting the development of additional renewable energy throughout New England by:
- purchasing RECs that match 100% of their electricity usage from existing renewable energy projects in New England (MA Class I RECs). The purchase of additional RECs, over and above the minimum required by the state of Massachusetts, helps to create a stronger market for renewable energy generated by renewable energy projects in New England.
- having contributed 0.2 ¢/kWh to the development of the new solar project in Cambridge, which will apply additional RECs from that project to their electricity use, just like participants in Standard Green and Economy Green. The contribution to the new solar project brings new renewable energy to the grid and can help displace fossil fuel-power production.
The 100% Green Plus option includes energy produced by a range of renewable energy projects. The majority is wind energy, but it could also include solar energy and energy produced by anaerobic digestion, biomass, and landfill gas.
Get pricing details for all three program options.
