Governor Patrick Calls on Clean Energy Industry to Form Trade Group

Addressing two dozen executives of solar, wind, bioenergy (biomass and biofuel), fuel cell, and energy service companies in the Governor's Council Chamber, where they were convened for the Clean Energy Roundtable, Governor Patrick said: "A gathering similar to this, some 25 years ago, resulted in the founding of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. Since then, the Biotech Council has represented that industry well ... Similarly, the clean energy industry needs to find its own voice. I hope this morning's meeting will be a start."

Also at the meeting, Governor Patrick announced a plan to install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at 12 state facilities by the end of the year. Totaling 1 MW of generating capacity, these installations represent a tenfold increase in solar power in state facilities and a nearly 50 percent increase in the total solar power installed in Massachusetts, which is just over 2 MW currently.

The solar installations, which cost a total of $9 million, are made possible in part by the first round of federal Clean Renewable Energy Bonds. These zero-interest loans of $3.1 million will be paid off from the energy savings made possible from the solar panels. The balance of the cost will be covered by grants from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and the state Division of Energy Resources. MassDevelopment is also playing a major role as bond issuer, introducing this new financing vehicle to investors.

"I am determined to make Massachusetts a leader in clean energy technology nationally and globally," said the Governor.