The Boston Housing Authority and a host of partners cut the ribbon at 10:30 a.m. on July 25 to
celebrate the installation of a solar thermal hot water heating system at the 184-unit BHA
Elderly/Disabled Housing Development at 125 Amory Street in Jamaica Plain. Tours of the
installation will be provided.
 
The City of Boston’s Amory Street initiative is one of the largest solar thermal domestic hot
water heating installations in Massachusetts. Funding from the federal American Recovery &
Reinvestment (ARRA) program and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center made the project
possible.
 
The 96 panel installation is saving the BHA approximately 40 percent of its domestic hot water
bill at Amory Street or $13,000 a year for a lifetime of 25 years.
 
“This project is a win-win; it provides better services to our residents while saving money on
utilities in an environmentally friendly way all at the same time,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
“We are always looking for innovative and green ways to improve the public housing in our city.”
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick also praised the project. “I thank President Obama for
his continued leadership in the effort to build a more sustainable future. It is investments like this
one, made possible through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, that make
Massachusetts a leader in clean energy,” he said. “Projects that save money and conserve
energy are critical to the future of public housing, which serves as an invaluable resource to
over 45,000 families statewide.”
“We are proud to see the completion of this ARRA project,” said Massachusetts Recovery &
Reinvestment Office Director Jeffrey Simon. “A program like this one is exactly what the
stimulus program was created for. Not only will the installation and maintenance of this solar
array create long term jobs but it will have an enduring impact on this community. It shows a
united effort by partners in the community to promote ‘going green’ and using innovation to
reduce energy costs for the people living in the BHA Elderly/Disabled Housing Development.”
“As we work toward improving and preserving the Commonwealth’s public housing stock
through capital projects and increased operating support, it is exciting to see cost-saving
installations like this one completed,” said Undersecretary of Housing and Community
Development Aaron Gornstein. “It is important that we continue to make investments that will
lead to the sustainability of this important resource for all current and future residents.”
John J. Drew, President/CEO of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) said:
“ABCD is very pleased to play a part in bringing green energy to public housing, working with
Action, Inc. of Gloucester and many other partners. It’s a small revolution in bringing the needs
and goals of public housing and sustainable energy together with very positive outcomes.”
“In these challenging fiscal times, it’s important that we think outside the box to improve the
quality of life for our residents in a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly way,” said BHA
Administrator Bill McGonagle. “The new solar panels fit the bill and we are pleased to be part of
this creative solution.
 
Thank you to the funding sources
All involved expressed gratitude to the two project funders: U.S. Department of
Energy/American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through the Sustainable Resources for
Consumers (SERC) program, and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (CEC).
ARRA funding for solar hot water heating and other renewable energy projects is coming to an
end soon. However, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, with rate-payer funding, is
providing $2 million to fund an additional 15 solar hot water heating initiatives across
Massachusetts!
 
Community action plays key role
Overall management of the project was provided by two Massachusetts community action
programs: Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) and Action, Inc. of Gloucester.
Currently the two community action programs are overseeing installation of 35 renewable
energy projects in Massachusetts affordable housing settings.
New England Solar Hot Water installed the solar thermal system. The project was designed by
BEAM Engineering, with assistance from Paradigm Partners. In addition, Paradigm Partners
provided contractor management services on behalf of ABCD, Inc. and Action, Inc.
The Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) is performing
Quality Assurance inspections for all the Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC)
Grant Award projects, including Amory.
 
About BHA:
The Boston Housing Authority is the largest landlord in Boston and the largest public housing authority in New
England. As such, the BHA houses approximately 10 percent of the city's residents through its programs.
About ABCD
ABCD is the Boston-area antipoverty and community action agency, serving more than 85,000 low-income residents
through its central offices and a network of Neighborhood Service Centers (NSCs), Head Start centers, Family
Planning sites and Foster Grandparent sites in all of Boston’s neighborhoods.