1. How is the energy efficiency program funded?

The programs are funded from a small energy conservation charge as well as part of the distribution charge on the first page of your electric bill. These funds are collected by Eversource and then returned to the Compact to administer the energy efficiency program for Barnstable and Dukes Counties.

2. Do I need to be a member of the Compact’s power supply program to receive services or rebates?

No. As long as you have an active Eversource electric account for a home or business on Martha’s Vineyard, you are eligible to participate in the energy efficiency programs.

3. What is Vineyard Power’s relationship with Mass Save?

Mass Save® is an initiative sponsored by Massachusetts’ gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers. The Sponsors and partners of Mass Save work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to provide a wide range of services, incentives, training, and information promoting energy efficiency (click here) that helps residents and businesses manage energy use and related costs.

4. How do I sign up for a no-cost energy assessment?

Please call 508-504-9508 or click here to sign up for your no-cost energy assessment on your home or business.

1. Who is eligible for an assessment?

All residential and low-income Eversource electric account holders on Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard are eligible to receive a no-cost energy assessment.

2. How are the lead vendors chosen for energy assessments for single family residential?

Single-family lead vendors are selected through a Request for Proposals process issued by Cape Light Compact.

3. What is looked at during a home energy assessment?

During the assessment, a blower door test is conducted (where available) to measure how air tight your home is and determine the leakiness of your building’s envelope. Also during the assessment, insulation and other large appliances are looked at to determine how efficient your home is and any upgrades you could use.

4. Can I use my own contractor to do insulation work?

Yes, though you must first receive a home energy assessment then use a Mass Save qualified contractor to complete the recommended work. See the following link for a list of qualified contractors: https://www.masssave.com/learn/find-a-contractor

5. How do I proceed with the work that is recommended?

If you have had an energy assessment, you may have received a contract from the energy specialist. To proceed with work you may either sign the contract and return it to the energy specialist or select one of the Compact’s participating contractors. The list may be found at https://www.masssave.com/learn/find-a-contractor.

6. What rebates are available?

For a list of all available rebates please visit http://www.capelightcompact.org/resrebates.

1. Who is eligible for an assessment?

All business Eversource electric account holders on Martha’s Vineyard are eligible to receive a no-cost energy assessment.

2. Do I need to own the building that my business is in?

Everyone who has an active Eversource electric account is eligible to have a no-cost energy assessment. In order to proceed with the recommended work, permission must be granted from the landlord or owner of the building.

3. What is the incentive for work recommended?

If work was recommended through an energy assessment, the Compact will cover up to 80% of the cost. The work is installed by the Compact’s vendor. Increased incentives may be available for tenants who meet minimum requirements. If a business prefers to use its own vendor to do the installations, the incentive level will vary based on prescriptive versus custom measures.

4. What is looked at during an assessment?

The energy specialist will look at lighting and controls, refrigeration controls, programmable thermostats, variable frequency drives, motors, aerators, spray-valves, shower heads, vending controls, and duct sealing/insulation. Additional measures may be eligible for incentives, if applicable.

5. How do I proceed with recommended work?

After a thorough assessment by an energy services firm under contract with Cape Light Compact, you will receive a custom report that recommends specific cost-effective energy-efficient measures designed to maximize energy savings and promote greater comfort in your workplace. If you decide to proceed, Cape Light Compact will make all the necessary arrangements for installing the energy-efficient measures at your facility. All installations will be performed by licensed tradespersons using top-quality materials backed by a full guarantee. We closely monitor this program to assure quality performance on these efficiency improvements. Any electrical permit that is needed will be secured by Cape Light Compact’s vendor and the cost of the permit will be passed on to the customer.

6. What storage space is needed for materials that will be installed?

The customer needs to provide a space for the material to be delivered and stored prior to installation. Space will also be needed to store the materials to be recycled until collected.

7. How are the old lighting materials disposed of?

Cape Light Compact’s vendor is responsible for the recycling of all lamps and ballasts. The material is usually collected within 2 weeks after the installation is complete. If fixtures are replaced, the customer is responsible for disposing of the fixtures.

8. Is there a warranty on work that is installed through an energy assessment?

Yes, there is a one-year warranty on measures installed through an assessment.

9. How long does it take to get recommended lighting measures installed?

Typically installations take place approximately 8-12 weeks from when the Agreement is signed and returned to Cape Light Compact’s vendor. This timeframe may vary depending on the availability of materials and location. The customer will receive a notification when the materials are to be shipped to their site. Once materials are at the customer’s site, they will be contacted by electrical staff to schedule the installation.

10. How is the billing for work handled?

The customer will be billed only for their portion of the job. The bill will come from Cape Light Compact’s vendor.

11. What if I want my own contractor or vendor to do the work?

If a business is interested in having their own vendor or contractors do the work, you must go through the Compact’s application process before starting the work.

12. What if I am already doing a major renovation at my site?

Contact Cape Light Compact at 1-800-797-6699 as soon as possible to see what options may be available.

1. Who can apply?

• Applies to owner-occupied 1-4 family residences only

• Available to Massachusetts residents only

• Must schedule a no-cost Mass Save Home Energy Assessment

• Financing and incentives are applied toward your total project cost

You may also be eligible for no-cost products like LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, and more

2. What can be used with the Heat Loan?

No-interest loans are available for home energy efficiency improvements through the Mass Save HEAT Loan Program. As a participating lender, we offer these no-interest loans on qualifying improvements including:

• Attic, wall, and basement insulation

• High-efficiency heating systems

• Central air conditioning/air source heat pumps

• Ductless mini-split heat pumps

• High efficiency domestic hot water systems

• Solar hot water systems

• 7-day digital & Wi-Fi thermostats

• EnergyStar® qualified replacement windows

3. How much can I borrow and what are the terms?

You can borrow up to $25K over a 7 year period with 0% interest. The loans are administered by a set of approved lenders found here.

Interest is paid by the Mass Save program.

4. How do I apply?

Once you have found an approved lender using the link above, you would apply directly through that lender. The interest is paid for you through the Mass Save program.

5. Are there any local banks I can work with?

Yes, Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank and Cape Cod Five.

6. Can I have more than one Heat Loan?

Under certain circumstances where you have a large amount of energy efficiency actions that you would like to implement, you can bundle one set of activities like weatherization, hot water heater, windows and use a second Heat Loan for a whole house heat pump system for a total of up to $50K in 0% interest for 7 years.

7. What should I consider in using my heat loan?

The best way to structure your loan would be for you to be the single source receiver of funds.

A customer receives the check(s), pays a deposit to the contractor, then pays out the final amount and work starts and ends within a known period of time. Essentially when a bank issues the loan, they would expect payments to start within a month or so of the loan being issued. A lot of this has to do with timing of a customer getting a loan, product availability, contractor availability, etc.

By structuring your loan in this manner you would limit the risk of the full loan principal payments starting and you not having your Heat Pump installed and operational.

Q: Where can I find the most up to date information on Tax Credits and Incentives for EVs?

Check out this link to read about the IRS’ guidelines on EV Tax Credits.

Q. Are Electric Vehicles worse for the climate than gasoline cars because of power plant emissions?

A: Electric vehicles typically have a smaller carbon footprint than gasoline cars, even when accounting for the electricity used for charging.

EPA and Department of Energy's (DOE’s) Beyond Tailpipe Emissions Calculator can help you estimate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with charging and driving an EV or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) where you live.

SOURCE

Q: Are EVs are worse for the climate than gasoline cars because of battery manufacturing?

A: The greenhouse gas emissions associated with an electric vehicle over its lifetime are typically lower than those from an average gasoline-powered vehicle, even when accounting for manufacturing.

SOURCE

Q: Can the increase of EVs entering the market cause the power grid to collapse?

A: Electric vehicles have charging strategies that can prevent overloading the grid, and, in some Scases, support grid reliability.

SOURCE

1. What is the SMART Program?

The SMART Program is Massachusetts’ solar incentive program. Your solar contractor will submit a SMART application for your solar system as part of your installation agreement. The time your application is submitted, size and configuration of your array, pairing with battery storage, and the estimated value of energy at the time of your application will determine your SMART rate ($/kWh). You get paid your SMART rate for every kWh your solar system generates.

2. How long do solar panels last?

The useful life of solar panels typically spans 20-25 years. However, solar panels have proved to last much longer than their useful life.

3. What are the components of a solar system?

A solar system consists of solar panels, wiring to string the panels together, an inverter (or microinverters) to invert DC electricity to AC electricity, and a meter to record how much the system produces.

4. What are Net Metering Credits?

Net Metering Credits record the value of the electricity produced by your solar array. One net metering credit equals one kWH of electricity generated by your solar array multiplied the cost of electricity during a monthly billing cycle.

5. What is a Power Purchase Agreement?

A Power Purchase Agreement is an agreement between the system owner and the system user to pay for the electricity produced by the system over a certain period of time at a designated $/kWh rate. Power Purchase Agreements are used to finance solar systems.

6. Can you explain Behind the Meter vs Front Meter (or Standalone)?

A Behind the Meter solar system includes a power inverter that is connected directly to your home or facility from the solar panels. Electricity flows from the solar panels into the inverter, is inverted from Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC), and then is distributed throughout your home. Excess power is fed back to the main grid, flowing through your meter and turning it backwards.

A Front Meter (Standalone) solar system includes a power inverter that is connected directly to the main grid. Electricity flows from the solar panels into the inverter, is inverted from DC to AC, and is then sent directly into the grid.

7. How do I get savings from solar?

Savings from solar are realized in several ways.

If you own the system outright, you realize savings from the value of energy produced by your system, income that is paid to you directly from SMART for system generation, and from tax credits for purchasing and installing the system.

If you have financed the system, you receive savings by paying for electricity at a discounted rate through your Power Purchase Agreement.

8. Can I sell power back to the grid from my solar system?

No. Any excess generation from your system is banked in your utility account as a credit for future use towards you utility bill balance.

1. What is a battery energy storage system (BESS)?

A battery energy storage system stores energy generated by your solar system for later use when the sun doesn’t shine or when the grid is down.

2. Are batteries safe?

Like any regulated energy producing or energy storage technology, batteries are safe when used properly under the right conditions. It is important to discuss safety with your developer/installer and know you local regulations regarding batteries.

3. What are the incentives for batteries?

There are multiple incentive programs for batteries. Batteries qualify for the Federal Investment Tax Credit, which delivers a 30% tax credit on the price of your battery project. Batteries may also increase your SMART rate if included in a solar project.

Commercial customers may also enroll in the Cape Light Compact’s demand response program ConnectedSolutions. Check here for more info.

4. Will a battery increase my SMART rate?

Yes – but not on its own. To increase your solar project’s SMART rate with a battery, your battery must qualify for the SMART energy storage adder and be included in your initial application to SMART for your solar system.

Use this sheet to calculate the value of your SMART energy storage adder.