Solar for Affordable Housing Organizations

Solar installation at Madison Park Development Corporation's Beryl Gardens

Solar installation at Madison Park Development Corporation's Beryl Gardens

The Solar Technical Assistance Retrofit Program (STAR), connects multifamily affordable housing developers in Massachusetts to the resources and technical assistance needed to explore the benefits of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology with the aim of helping affordable housing become more financially and environmentally sustainable. This groundbreaking initiative is being co-piloted by Resonant Energy, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC).

Since 2021, the STAR program has signed up 7.9 MW of solar for affordable housing providers across Massachusetts. Over the next 25 years, the 24 participating providers can expect to save at least $30 million in avoided electricity costs and $400,000 in electricity credits for tenants.

“Without the technical assistance and staff time support grants from the STAR program, POUA would have found it difficult to navigate the complex review and consent coordination process that has made 3 solar projects completed seamlessly and the two that are in the process currently.

Clean energy is the future and the STAR program makes it possible for multifamily affordable housing to participate in the Just transition.”
— Mary Wambui, Planning office for Urban Affairs
“The STAR Program was the crucial catalyst in dramatically scaling up HRI’s green energy production, allowing us to focus on our whole portfolio rather than individual installations on single buildings.

As a result, we have increased our total kW production of solar energy by over 6x in just a few years, providing clean energy to our properties and residents and lowering energy bills for both operating budget and residents participating in our Solar Equity Platform.”
— Will Monson, Homeowner's Rehab, Inc

Congratulations to our participating organizations!

Interested in solar, but not a qualified affordable housing organization? Sign up here.