How-To Guides
Installing clean energy requires a general understanding of the equipment, costs, and approvals required for each clean energy technology. Here we provide a variety of guides from the Trust and our affiliates to help you decide whether and how to install solar and wind, navigate approvals and interconnection processes, and purchase green electricity.
Solar Energy Installation Guides
Solar Electricity for Massachusetts Residents: a Buyer's Guide (new edition online! 2/09)
If you are interested in installing photovoltaics on your home or building and want to know if solar energy is practical for you, this guide from the Renewable Energy Trust and SEBANE provides an overview of basic steps consumers should follow in planning a photovoltaic installation.
Commercial Buyer's Guide to Solar Electricity in Massachusetts (new edition online! 2/09)
This guide has been published to help Massachusetts businesses identify and pursue opportunities to generate electricity from solar energy. It provides information on how to evaluate whether PV is right for your business, including physical requirements of PV systems and system economics, as well as an overview of the system installation process. It was prepared by the Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE) for the Renewable Energy Trust.
Small Wind Energy Installation Guide
Consumer’s Guide to Small Wind Electric Systems (DOER)
This guide, developed by the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Federal Department of Energy provides an overview of basic steps consumers should follow in planning a small, single-customer wind turbine project.
Permitting and Approval Guides
Airspace Issues in Wind Turbine Siting
Wind turbine projects need to clear many hurdles before they can proceed to construction. One of the most important milestones in any wind project is securing a determination from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the project does not adversely affect air traffic or radar systems. This can be a complicated and uncertain process, and many projects have run into unexpected delays. The primer below explains how anticipate and avoid some of these conflicts, and how the FAA review process works. Several case examples are presented.
MTC Interconnection Guide for Distributed Generation
The utility interconnection process is an essential step for any clean energy system installed as distributed generation (typically local, customer-installed systems). This guide provides an overview of interconnection requirements and links to many more resources.
DOER Renewable Energy and Distributed Generation Guidebook
The Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources (DOER) provides one of the most authoritative guides on Massachusetts permitting requirements for clean energy and distributed generation. You can use this guide to determine what permitting will likely be required for your project based on technology type and other considerations. Note that the interconnection section of this guide is currently being updated.
Green Power Purchasing (Clean Energy Choice)
Clean Energy Choice
Clean Energy Choice is a green electricity purchasing program administered by the Renewable Energy Trust. This link leads to an overview of how green electricity purchasing works, how you can sign up, and the options that you have when signing up for green power.