The home of MIT and Harvard is getting an electric makeover thanks to the startup BlocPower.
Fresh from raising $150 million in financing earlier this year, BlocPower is expanding the network of cities that are using the company's services to electrify their public buildings.
For folks who attended "a small school in Cambridge" it's a new way to get bragging rights from their city's eco-conscious initiatives.
The one-year pilot will focus on multifamily buildings of five or more units and will provide building retrofits with project management and innovative project financing, the company said. Retrofit options could include weatherization, electric panel upgrades, rooftop solar, and cold climate heat pump technology for heating, cooling, and hot water.
There are loans or liens to finance the effort, and the upgrades can take advantage of state and federal incentive programs and expert project oversight to complete upgrades that would otherwise require significant initial investment and contractor management.
The deal is part of Cambridge's Net Zero Action Plan, including the city’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050, according to a statement.
For now, the one-year partnership will focus on multifamily building retrofits with five or more units.
Part of the deal is to scare up funding for the projects, which could include weatherization, smart electric panel upgrades, rooftop solar, and heat pump installations that are suitable for cold weather.
Upfront payments or liens will be available for participants and folks willing to apply can also look into state and federal incentive programs.
”Cambridge is working hard to address climate change and support our residents in accessing clean energy and energy efficiency,” said Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang. “Our pilot partnership with BlocPower can enable apartment and condo buildings to complete energy and comfort upgrades that would otherwise require significant upfront costs, while testing a new way to decarbonize energy use in Cambridge’s buildings.”