Eligible Matching Grant Purchases

Communities are utilizing Clean Energy Choice matching grants for a wide variety of clean energy goods and services. Eligible purchases range from renewable electricity generating equipment to clean energy related educational materials. Below is a sample of items that some communities have purchased:

	Photovoltaic Solar Installations: Installing a solar energy system on municipal buildings reduces energy costs and helps to educate residents about the power of clean energy technologies. Click here to learn how you can supplement Clean Energy Choice grants with MTC’s Commonwealth Solar rebate program. Using funds from both of these programs, a number of towns have covered 100% of the cost of PV installations.
	Energy Efficiency Measures: A portion of a town's Clean Energy Choice grant request can be used to implement cost-saving energy efficiency measures in a green building (new construction or renovation) project on municipally owned public buildings. Specifically, if at least 50% of the project budget is allocated to renewable energy installation(s), then as much as 50% of the project budget may be used to pay for energy efficiency measures. Learn more about green building features and their benefits >>
	Solar Powered Trash Compactors: Meant to replace traditional outdoor trash containers, a solar powered trash compactor automatically compresses trash to reduce the number of collection trips and eliminate trash overflow.
	Community Energy/Sustainability Staff Salaries: Hire a professional staff person to manage and oversee your community’s clean energy goals and initiatives.
	Public Outreach Materials: Spread the word about the benefits of clean energy in your community! Clean Energy Choice matching grants can be used for printing fliers and brochures, or other costs associated with putting on local outreach events such as clean energy/sustainability fairs.
	Teacher Training: Teach clean energy in the schools! Matching grants can cover the cost of books, publications, field trips and other educational materials that help teachers implement clean energy related curriculums. Costs associated with teacher development conferences and workshops are covered as well.

Click here to find out how much grant money your town or city has earned. (pdf)

Download the matching grant application and instructions (pdf)

Examples of communities using their matching grants

Northampton
Northampton is using their matching grants to help purchase a 10kW solar array for JFK Middle School.

Worcester
Worcester is using $16,000 of their matching grants to fund a clean energy task force which will be responsible for analyzing potential costs and economic benefits of incorporating clean energy technologies in new building and construction designs, as well as capital rehabilitation projects.

Bolton
Bolton utilized their matching grants to pay for fliers and outreach materials used to educate residents at a community fair.

Gloucester
Gloucester is purchasing a BigBelly^® solar trash compactor with their matching grants.

Boston
Boston used its matching grants to help put solar photovoltaic systems on the roofs of the Boston Arts Academy and the Richard J. Murphy school.

This is one of five BigBelly^® solar trash compactors bought by the City of Newton using matching grants.