Springfield Partners for Community Action Awarded Grant Under Solar Program

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration announced the second round of grants under the Department of Energy Resources’ Low-Income Services Solar Program (LISSP). Grants totaling $394,643 will help two nonprofit organizations — Springfield Partners for Community Action and Cape Cod-based Cape Abilities — install rooftop solar systems that will reduce each organization’s electricity costs by 70% to 100%, resulting in more resources for the nonprofits’ critical work.

LISSP helps nonprofit organizations reduce operating costs and strengthen community resilience by providing funding for solar and energy storage systems. Grants are available to nonprofit organizations that provide critical community services and support environmental justice (EJ) communities across Massachusetts.

“Cape Abilities and Springfield Partners provide much-needed services in their communities, and we’re thrilled to help them add solar to their rooftops, which will cut their energy costs and ensure our most vulnerable residents can access the benefits of clean energy,” Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony said. “These solar systems will allow more of the organizations’ precious financial resources to serve those in need, and they will benefit the broader communities with cleaner, healthier air.”

Springfield Partners for Community Action’s mission is to utilize and provide resources that assist people in need to obtain economic stability, ultimately creating a better way of life. It is awarded a grant for $293,633 to install a 100 kW AC rooftop solar system at its main building in Springfield. The system will save Springfield Partners an estimated $9,700 each year in energy costs.

“As the leading weatherization program in Hampden County, Springfield Partners is committed to improving the energy efficiency of our clients’ homes and advancing long-term sustainability in our community. With the support of the Department of Energy Resources, we are excited to now have the opportunity to lead these efforts through the installation of our own solar panel array,” said JC Schnabl, deputy director of Springfield Partners for Community Action. “This installation will enable us to reduce our electricity costs, strengthen our operational capacity, and pass those savings directly on to our clients through expanded and enhanced services.”

This is the second round of grants awarded under LISSP. In January, grants were awarded to Newton Food Pantry, Grow Associates in Randolph, and High Point Treatment Center of Southeastern Mass.

Applications for LISSP are accepted quarterly. The application period for the next round of funding opens on May 12. Nonprofits interested in applying, including nonprofits in municipal light plant territories, can visit www.cetonline.org/programs/low-income-services-solar-program.