New Chamber Solar Program Sparks Interest

It’s not only the Patriots who are attracting excitement in New England these days.

The New England Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (NEACCE) held a lively session in Foxborough, Mass., this month on a new solar program that can score big wins for chambers and their member companies.

More than 80 chamber leaders engaged with clean energy experts at NEACCE’s annual conference held at Patriot Place, adjacent to the home of the three-time Super Bowl champions.

Chamber executives heard about a new program designed to save member companies time and money when installing solar. In return, local chambers receive a donation (or, as we say in chamber world, non-dues revenue) every time a company signs up for solar through the program’s online marketplace. Chambers can also help local solar installers reach more customers by having them added to the innovative marketplace.

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy presented the NEACCE session in collaboration with EnergySage and the New England Clean Energy Council.

Chamber leaders and energy experts also discussed job growth, new finance opportunities, what businesses are doing around energy efficiency and clean energy, and what to expect from clean energy in 2015.

The new Solar Savings Program, a partnership between Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) and EnergySage, offers chambers a way to give their member businesses quick and easy options for putting solar on their commercial or residential buildings.

In Massachusetts, the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, the region’s oldest and leading economic development and business advocacy organization, is currently considering installing solar on its own office, located in the historic Thomas A. Edison building.