Malden, MA, has been making considerable progress towards becoming a sustainable and environmentally friendly city with the launch of the "Green Malden" initiative. The initiative addresses climate change comprehensively by making environmentally-focused programs more accessible to residents and actively seeking their feedback for continuous improvement.
Residents of Malden can participate in several programs, such as a Climate Action Plan, Greening the Gateway Cities Program, Malden River Works, and Mass Save, among others. Moreover, there are resources available to educate residents about Green Building Guidelines, Sustainable Materials Recovery Grant Programs, Stormwater Management, and Resilient Mystic Collaborative.
In the effort to reduce carbon emissions, the city has installed twenty-two electric vehicle charging stations, offering free usage to the public.
The city also promotes solar energy through various incentives like tax credits, net metering, tax exemptions, solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs), and rebates. In addition to the Clean Energy Credit, formerly known as the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides up to 30% of the total cost of solar panel installation, there may also be local and state incentives available.
As of May 2023, the average cost of solar panel installation in Malden stands at $3.59 per watt. Though the gross price for a 5-kilowatt system can range from $15,258 to $20,642, the net price is substantially lower due to various incentives. There are 18 solar companies operating in Malden, including All Energy Solar, Future Energy Solar, Lunex Power Inc., PlugPV, and ACE Solar. Solar panels present a good investment in Malden, with the average solar consumer saving $45,814 over 20 years and a solar payback period of 7.89 years.
Through these comprehensive programs and initiatives, Malden continues its journey towards becoming a green city, setting a precedent for other communities in Massachusetts and beyond.
