Cape cod program Bundles Solar, Heat Pumps, and Batteries to Slash Energy Costs for Residents
A groundbreaking initiative on Cape cod is revolutionizing home energy by integrating solar panels, heat pumps, and battery storage, leading to significant cost savings for homeowners. Judy Welch, an early participant in the Cape and Vineyard Electrification Offering, reported drastically reduced energy bills, with no costs in the summer months despite continuous air conditioning use. Her winter heating expenses have also plummeted to near zero, a stark contrast to her previous $500 monthly bills for electric baseboard heating.
Massachusetts has historically been a frontrunner in renewable energy incentives and energy efficiency policies.However, the state has faced challenges in extending these benefits to lower-income households, who disproportionately bear high energy costs. in 2023, households on Cape Cod earning less then a third of the area median income spent an average of 27% of their income on energy, according to U.S. Department of Energy data.
The Cape and Vineyard Electrification offering was specifically designed to address the prohibitive upfront costs associated with energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades. By combining technologies like solar panels to offset heat pump operating costs and batteries to maximize the use of free electricity, the program aims to amplify the impact of individual solutions.
Todd Olinsky-Paul, senior project director for the Clean Energy Group, praised the program’s integrated approach, stating, “It’s all bundled for the participant in a way that makes sense and optimizes all these different systems and combines them through one program. I haven’t seen that anywhere else.”
This pilot program was developed and launched by the Cape Light Compact, a unique regional entity responsible for negotiating electricity supply prices and managing energy efficiency programs for 21 towns across Cape Cod and martha’s vineyard. After several proposals in 2018, 2020, and 2021, the program finally received state approval in 2023.
